Iger & Associates’ big Election Day luncheon, a humor-filled tradition with about three dozen local elected officials on hand, had a subtheme of a big day for Democrats. But I got a taste of that sentiment from a leading county Republican before I even pulled into the Irvine Marriott parking lot for the event.
I was on the phone and I asked my GOP source, who seemed to be bracing for the worst, if there was an upside to the expected presidential election results tonight.
“I won’t have to defend George Bush any more,” he quipped, in one of many dark-humor moments Republicans may encounter today.
Iger & Associates had a record crowd this year - more than 300 people, including most of the county Board of Supervisors and at least six state legislators. And while Republicans dominated the elected officials, the first group of people standing around talking inside the dining room when I walked in was a who’s who of key county Democrats - joined by one Republican, Assemblyman Todd Spitzer, R-Orange.
The Dems in the circle included former state Sens. Joe Dunn and Tom Umberg, Democratic Foundation of O.C. Chairman Wylie Aitken, county employees union boss Nick Berardino, and behind-the-scenes charmer George Urch. Were they upbeat? Is Hawaii part of the United States?
Peter Buffa, a member of the O.C. Transportation Authority, was hilarious in his role as emcee, and went out of his way to make sure all major Democrats in the room were recognized. He quipped that he wouldn’t be needing to talk much to OC GOP boss Scott Baugh in the future.
“As of 8 p.m. tonight, I’m sucking up to every Democrat I know,” he said.
A Sarah Palin lookalike took the stage for a brief interview, in which she explained that she was in town for a little shopping.
“Nieman-Marcus - if you look, you can see it from here,” she said.
Lucy Dunn, CEO of the O.C. Business Council, again displayed her wicked sense of humor and bonafide singing chops with her Palin portrayal. Spitzer, we were told, wouldn’t be singing this year because of laryngitis. That news attracted a rippling of grateful applause.
Tustin Mayor Jerry Amante, in a frightening toupee, did a riotous San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsome. Not only while on stage, but on numerous occasions throughout the luncheon, he barked out various versions of, “This door’s wide open now. It’s going to happen… whether you like it or not.”
So there was a little Palin, a little Newsome and … the Little Sheriff, thanks to Register columnist Frank Mickadeit’s racy and merciless narrated slide show spoof on Mike Carona….
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Drudge Report:
EXIT POLLS CLAIM ‘OBAMA +15′ IN PA (that would be bad)
TOO CLOSE TO CALL AT CLOSE: FL, IN, OH… (better)
MCCAIN KEEPING AZ… (Thank God)
Huffington Post exit polls (once again, remember that exit polls showed Kerry winning in 2004, and remember that the groups who shun exit poll interviewers tend to be more pro-Republican, and remember that exit polls don’t reflect the one-third-plus of voters who voted early), but if they can be believed:
The states looking good for Obama:
Florida: 52 percent to 44 percent
Iowa: 52 percent to 48 percent
Missouri: 52 percent to 48 percent
North Carolina: 52 percent to 48 percent
New Hampshire: 57 percent to 43 percent
Nevada: 55 percent to 45 percent
Pennsylvania: 57 percent to 42 percent
Ohio: 54 percent to 45 percent
Wisconsin: 58 percent to 42 percent
Indiana: 52 percent to 48 percent
New Mexico: 56 percent to 43 percent
Minnesota: 60 percent to 39 percent
Michigan: 60 percent to 39 percent
The states where McCain is leading in exit polls:
Georgia: 51 percent to 47 percent
West Virginia: 45 percent to 55 percent
That’s sad. I remember two years ago the Democrats said “give us control of both the House and the Senate and we will get things going right”. Two years later we are worst off then before. We need to sweep both side out of office and start new. Yes on the job training, they could not do worse then what we have. After that we have a two term limit and then they’re gone. And I might add “NO RETIREMENT BENEFIT” They (Both sides) have gotten away with too much BS and it’s time to put a stop to it.
JakeD I nominate you as President, you can have Ron Paul as your VP.
No thanks, OCGator, I’m even OLDER than McCain ; )
The silver lining is, hopefully, that Obama supporters here in California will go out and celebrate instead of voting no on Prop. 4 and 8.
The liberal press will call the election for Obama before most Californians even go to vote tonight, so why don’t you Obama supporters just all go directly to the celebrations instead? What an historic night — just make sure you have a designated driver and/or safe word — congratulations!
If you can’t make the Obama victory party in Kenya, I’ve heard everyone is meeting at 5:00 pm at 22 CAFE, 237 S. TUSTIN ST, ORANGE, CA 92866, CROSS STREETS: CHAPMAN and TUSTIN AVE - ACROSS FROM THE SALVATION ARMY OR BETWEEN CHAPMAN AND THE 22 FREEWAY. FOR DIRECTIONS, YOU CAN CALL 714-633-4592 OR 714-538-8799, OR MAPQUEST. Please RSVP to Barackobama.com (Go to Events) and notify Wanda Sarabia, 714.538.8799 or adnawxilef@yahoo.com so that you can be notified of any changes. Please bring any Obama Gear you want to sell. We will watch the election on flat screen, this establishment is an International Cuisine resturant in a great relaxing atmosphere. Sandwiches, Snacks, Pizza, Salads, Drinks and Dessert will be on the menu. Look forward to seeing you there…Yeah!!!
For those of you in South County:
6:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Host: Gentry Glenn
Contact Phone: 843-425-4762
Location: Hennessy’s Tavern Dana Point (Dana Point, CA)
34111 La Plz
Dana Point, CA 92629
I’m sorry, with a President that vetoes everything, it doesn’t matter than we have Democrats in the House (We don’t have enough in the Senate to get anything done). SO go ahead and blame Democrats but Republicans had the six years prior to screw so much up that it doesn’t matter that Dems had the House.
All redneck Republicans : please leave the state and move to Mississippi
JakeD,
Almost 50% of the California regisitered voters have voted early.
Your implication that the press will have a part in getting people to not go to vote is just a bunch of dodo.
Obama is not a terrorist, Muslim, Islamist, Satinist, or anything else you republicans attempted to claim he was. He is not our President of the United States of America. The very first black person to hold the greatest office in the world!!!
I do feel sorry for all you neo-cons that your senior citizen and moose hunter did not win.
I agree he is NOT our President.
Sorrty Jake much like we all had to deal with Bushy for the last eight years. Obama is yours and everyone else’s president. You could leave the country and he wont be.