Ginnie Graham: Watch party: emphasis on partying
BY GINNIE GRAHAM World Staff Writer
Saturday, November 10, 2012
11/10/12 at 4:51 AM
On Election Day, I went partying with my 8-year-old son.
It was an all-day affair, starting
with a chilly 7 a.m. wait at our
precinct so he could watch how a vote
goes down in the U.S. After 45 minutes
and still about 15 minutes from
the goal line, he had a suggestion.
“We should have packed some sandwiches
and sodas,” he said. “Put that
in the newspaper to let people know.”
Hitting the watch party scene was
the planned highlight that evening.
No matter your political persuasion,
seeing how the party faithful put on a
bash is a natural curiosity.
Stomaching Republicans: Our swagger
wagon started in south Tulsa with
the Tulsa County Republicans and
wound north to downtown hitting the
Tulsa County Democrats and Vision2
groups.
Upon entering the CityPlex Towers,
the wafting smell of fried chicken hit
our senses, and an announcer said to
help ourselves to “unlimited Chickfil-
A.”
“Mom, this could be the best night
of my life,” my son said, piling on
the nuggets. “We’re going to be here
awhile.”
The buffet stayed stocked with
chicken, wraps, sandwiches, fruit,
desserts and drinks of lemonade, water,
tea and coffee. Like a rock concert,
big screens were located around the
room, set to different networks, and
security guys equipped with earpieces
flanked the perimeter. The Tulsa
Praise Orchestra, a trio of a singer,
stand-up bass and an electric piano,
provided music from the back of the
room.
“I don’t know much about Republicans,
but that chicken is going to be
hard to beat,” my son said as we left.
Drinking in the atmosphere: Democrats
at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame
knew how to throw a dance party.
Center stage was Devre Jackson and
Steven Schreg’s trio playing jazz and
swing, creating a festive vibe.
The crowd shared the view of a
single big screen, erupting in applause
at the national results.
By 8:30 p.m., the food tables had
only the crumbs of chips, nuts, dips
and cookies. But the cash bar was
open.
Security seemed handled by the
older women running the show, who
were more effective at keeping order
than a legion of open-carry country
boys.
Not letting a fundraising chance slip
by, lots of donkey-themed items were
for sale.
Just as my son gave up on finding
snacks, he ran into life-size cardboard
cutouts of Barack and Michelle
Obama.
“Hey, I can tell people I met the
president,” he said, posing with his
hands on the presidential shoulders.
Don’t go deep: Next up was a stop at
Tally’s Good Food Cafe, where the opposition
to the Vision2 proposals set
up camp.
The party was more of a gathering
where everyone picked up their own
tab. Makes sense. These are people
dedicated to being financially frugal.
“At least it’s a cool restaurant,” my
son said, going off to try his luck at a
claw game.
Time ran out before we could get to
the pro-Vision2 soiree at the downtown
Holiday Inn. Word has it the
appetizers and cash bar weren’t much
solace.
Don’t try finding any deep, political
analysis in the way our community
leaders get the party started. The
Republicans have a bigger catering
budget, and the Democrats have great
taste in music.
But watch parties are fun, communal
experiences — coming together
in fellowship for the last moments of
hard-fought campaigns.
