In a sign that they expect heavy losses on election night, Democratic leaders have decided not to throw any big parties in D.C. to watch the returns come in.
Instead, a few of the leaders will make themselves available to talk to reporters — and that appears to be it.
Traditionally, the major national party organizations rent out space in downtown Washington for viewing parties — the Dems took a ballroom in November 2006 when polls, rightly, suggested they would ride a wave to power — though the biggest events are in presidential election years.
In another sign of which party is optimistic this time around, the Republican National Committee said last week it had rented out the roof of the swanky W Hotel in downtown Washington to host its 2014 event.
They will be able to watch the returns flow in while sipping cocktails on a terrace overlooking the White House itself, a clear signal they expect to have much to celebrate.
The RNC event will not be open to the press, a spokesman said. The National Republican Congressional Committee and the NRSC (formerly known as the National Republican Senatorial Committee) are not hosting public events, with spokesmen saying their people will be busy coordinating with candidates.
But all the major Democratic organizations appear to be foregoing festivities entirely this year. “The DNC will not be holding any press events on Election Day. Thank you very much for your patience,” spokeswoman Evelyn Chang told the Washington Examiner in an email. Chang did not respond to a follow-up inquiry on whether they will holding any other events.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which could see its party lose its majority in the upper chamber, does not appear to be planning anything either. The committee’s spokesman has not responded to requests for comment. Time magazine quoted an anonymous source saying they were not holding an event.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced it will hold a photo opportunity Tuesday at DNC headquarters with House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, D.-Calif, and Steve Israel, D-N.Y., at 5:30 p.m., and allow reporters to watch as party operatives work phone banks. Israel will hold a second event that at 7 p.m. to talk to reporters. That appears to be it.
It’s a strong contrast to four years ago when Pelosi, DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., addressed Democratic supporters at a DCCC Election Watch Reception at the Liaison Hotel on Capitol Hill. Reporters were briefly allowed to watch before the event was made off-limits to those who hadn’t bought a ticket.
Republicans in D.C. watched the returns in style that year too, with the NRCC renting out part of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C. for a public event.
