HOLLISTER
Democrats celebrated at Paine’s tonight as Republicans at The Vault ruefully looked toward four years under Barack Obama as United States president.
“I wasn’t confident until about an hour and a half ago,” said Jeanie Wallace, chairwoman of the San Benito Democratic Party, when interviewed at the celebratory party at Paine’s where there was plenty of champagne and silly string.
Wallace expressed a common sentiment among Democrats and Republicans on election night, that of pleased surprise – not at one night’s results, but at the entire saga of Obama’s success.
“I did not think this was possible – I am just so surprised and thrilled by this result,” said Wallace.
Robert Rivas, also at the Democrat celebration, works for the Monterey County, but is a longtime resident of San Benito County. He told the Free Lance he was “astonished.”
“That Obama could have won by this much makes me speechless, and it really shows how hungry for change this country is for change and progressive policy,” he said. “A lot of anger built up, but it has been let out in a very positive way, and I would never have thought that we could have so much success so decisively.”
Meanwhile, a much smaller and visibly deflated group sat at The Vault. Marvin Jones, chairman of the San Benito County Republican Party, put his best face forward.
“We are pleased that the Senate looks like it won’t be a super majority,” Jones said. “They are holding around 55-45 presently, so there will still be somewhat of a check and balance.”
Jones noted that the House also did not look like it would be as lopsided as he’d been afraid it could be.
Asked about the new president, he sat up straight and said: “Mr. Obama, I mean President Obama, is our president now. The country made it through Nixon and Carter, and we’ll make it through this as well.”
Joe Tonascia, a candidate for the San Benito County Water District at the Republican gathering, spoke warningly.
“We are in for a change all right. If he does everything he talked about, the American people better be prepared,” he said. “An intelligent person who realizes he is headed in the wrong direction turns around, so we’ll give him a chance, see where he goes.”
Added Tonascia, who won his own race tonight for a seat on the San Benito County Water District Board, “In any case, this has been one of the most interesting things I’ve ever seen.”
Back at Paine’s, Dottie Rose, longtime San Benito County Democrat, echoed that sentiment.
“I wouldn’t have known who Obama was two years ago,” said Rose, “but I am so surprised and pleased that Barack Obama is our president.”
