Sarah Left reports from the Republican party celebrations in Denver, Colorado:
The celebration has begun in earnest. With 88% of precincts reporting and no alternative to Fox coverage in sight (the Marriott ballroom is low on internet connections), much jumping up and down and screaming has ensued. However, Bush's victory is mainly being celebrated by a speedy departure from the stuffy, overcrowded ballroom.
A new affection for our fickle neighbour to the south, New Mexico, has grown with Bush's edgy lead. Iowa, which has been soundly booed all evening, just drew a tremendous cheer for pulling dead level for Bush. Pennsylvania has no doubt lost tourist dollars from Republican Coloradans.
The room has gone mad on the (entirely expected) results from Alaska, where Democrats are shot on sight. Ahhhh ... the "four more years" chant, sadly absent until now, has begun. But the early nervousness is gone and the crowd is confident, liquored up on Coors and three points clear in Ohio. Pretty much anything will draw a cheer now.
One man just leaned over to complain about the music, and he has a point. Given the demographic present tonight, I'm not sure "Play that funky music white boy" was the way to go.
Fox just called the Colorado Senate race for Democrat Ken Salazar. The room was so used to cheering they were temporarily – kindly pardon the pun – foxed. On the bright side for Pete Coors, he's sold a lot of beer tonight.
