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Election night wait brings joy, disappointment to long-suffering supporters Date published: 11/14/2005
S IGNS SUPPORTING the Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican Jerry Kilgore made their way to various locations to introduce themselves, their values and their names to voters throughout their campaign. Even on Election Day, Republicans and Democrats stood outside voting locations to make final pitches for their candidates. On Tuesday evening, once the polls closed, it was no longer about the signs and commercials and speeches. It was about the results. At the Richmond Convention Center, a large room slowly filled with Republicans pressing stickers for Kilgore on their lapels. Adults grabbed drinks and stood by the large televisions, waiting to hear the latest reports as children put on orange shirts supporting Kilgore and carried placards to wave for the TV crews. As the early results came in with Democratic candidate Tim Kaine ahead, whispers of "it's still early" and "wait until the results from Southern Virginia come in" gave Republicans a sliver of hope. But then the coverage of Democrats waiting at the Richmond Marriott Ballroom just across the street flashed on the screens. Republicans gathered around to watch Democrats cheer and wave. As the coverage flashed back to the Convention Center, Republicans turned away from the screens and toward the cameras to wave signs of their own and cheer on Kilgore. Yet the wait dragged on. The crowd in the Convention Center grew as more votes were tallied. Some got another drink while others waited for more news, hoping for a change. On a table covered in Kilgore signs, 8-year-old James Edmunds caught up on some sleep. Nearby, members of Generation Joshua, a group of high school students from various states campaigning for conservative leaders, gathered in a circle to pray. Then Kilgore made his way to the stage to deliver his concession speech. The crowd that moments earlier had been scattered about the room now packed directly in front of the stage, applauding Kilgore as he congratulated Kaine on the victory. Inside the Richmond Marriott Ballroom, Democrats shed their jackets, loosened their ties and rolled their shirtsleeves in the smaller and hotter room. The loud buzz of victory grew into an eruption of cheers as Gov. Mark Warner took the stage, followed by Kaine. Cathy Smith could hardly contain her excitement as Kaine announced, "We've done it!" Not bothering to wipe the sweat from her forehead, Smith raised her Kaine placard into the air, yelling with deep nods of her head, "That's right! That's right!" The long wait of the evening was quickly forgotten as the celebration finally began in full force.
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