memories of a previous presidential election night party

[Ken Gargett]

this might seem incredible today but back then i didn't think twice about it.

when i moved to the states, i arrived in DC two days before bush senior was elected. i was staying with the parents of a friend i'd met in london - her parents were very big in the republican party (their next door neighbour was frank carlucci who was reagan's secretary of defence and more - terrific bloke. he actually invited me for christmas dinner but unfortunately, i was committed elsewhere - it was the genorosity and hospitality of people like him and so many more which made me love the states so much and i only hope that spirit exists today, though i wonder. i remember later coming to a party at my friend's and it just happened that carlucci had some secret mideast talks on that evening at his home. he shared a driveway with my friends. you cannot imagine how many six foot six, sunglasses-at-night, dark suited with bulge under the left arm blokes were patrolling. but i digress). 

a great mate of mine from australia was on tour with an all-party young politicians group. one of their number had fallen ill and so he suggested i take his place. so on election night, we first went to the democratic party party, which was like a morgue, with vast quantities of alcohol, though i had a good talk to a pilot from an F1-11 or whatever the top gun planes were - no, they don't appreciate comparisons to tom cruise. then to the republican one, which was also like a morgue but only because it seemed several squillion had drunk themselves senseless and collapsed. it was huge fun (there was an incident with the republicans involving several cans of shaving cream but best never revealed). 

my hosts could not understand how i had got tickets to either when i had only been in the states for 48 hours. they had been chasing them for people for months. 

somehow, i doubt the parties are as much fun today. 

and for those wondering how this could happen with security, different era. a fake press card i bought in thailand when travelling got me into the white house for friday night drinks with my friend who was an intern there (pre-bill). the guards simply told me where the offices were and sent me on my way to find them by myself. i am not making this up. i literally stood at the entrance to the oval office with no one around and the only thing stopping me going in was a cord across the door. it is much smaller than it seems on tv. 

[mprach024]

The most interesting man in the world

[gcman68]

Seems like back then at least we just really liked Australians! My cousin from Adelaide came in around 1982:and while I was way too young to go out I remember my older brother being amazed on how once people found out he was visiting from Australia he never had to buy a drink. Times have changed a little as now he would have to be a different gender and much better looking for that to happen. 

[Ken Gargett]

40 minutes ago, gcman68 said:

Seems like back then at least we just really liked Australians! My cousin from Adelaide came in around 1982:and while I was way too young to go out I remember my older brother being amazed on how once people found out he was visiting from Australia he never had to buy a drink. Times have changed a little as now he would have to be a different gender and much better looking for that to happen. 

there was still a bit of that back then. today, i'd be stuffed. 

[ReelMan]

Those in the Beltway realize that, regardless of political affiliation, the party continues.  This is a business, and regardless of who is in the White House, the game continues.  This is just 3-card monte on a bigger stage.....

[Cairo]

8 hours ago, ReelMan said:

Those in the Beltway realize that, regardless of political affiliation, the party continues.  This is a business, and regardless of who is in the White House, the game continues.  This is just 3-card monte on a bigger stage.....

Very wise post.   I am retired now but in my earlier life in the private sector I personally paid bribes to some prominent politicians who delivered on the quid pro quo.    Then I worked for .gov and have been "in the room" when the "quo" got delivered for large contributors.   It is all past the statute of limitations btw.  ?

This was both political parties--ugly stuff--as bad as folks may think it is, it is much much worse.