WASHINGTON-As the presidential race and various Congressional contests remained too close to call late into last night, the mood among the Democratic Party faithful fluctuated from optimism to despair at their gathering at the Mayflower Hotel.
"The Senate does not look too promising. I don't think the Democrats will" win, said Dave Kaufman, of Washington, D.C.
But most Democrats at the Democratic National Committee party thought it was very likely they could regain the House of Representatives.
"I absolutely think it's possible. The House message is so strong," said Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.)
Norton said she thought the Democrats have a great shot at claiming the house through capturing seats in California that previously were held by Democrats.
"Gore's populist message and the focus on tax cuts and the effort from African-Americans are helping the Democratic effort," she said.
Numerous other factors were cited as helping the Democrats.
"The House just recessed without finishing their work. Americans are tired of that kind of partisan leadership," said Norma Camtu, of San Antonio, Texas.
Camtu said she also felt Social Security would help the Democrats.
She said she felt the Democrats offered a better way of fixing the program, without having to allow private investing - an approach she said she felt was divisive.
Kaufman said he felt voters would reject the Republicans because of their constant bickering with President Bill Clinton - something he felt voters would disapprove of.
Opinions on the presidential race also varied throughout the gathering.
Dina Smeltz of Washington, D.C., a public opinion researcher in Europe, said she felt this election was mainly on personality, rather than issues, and therefore the voters focused on whose persona was better.
This is why she felt some voters preferred Bush over Gore.
Smeltz said the American focus on persona is unique. In Europe, she said, a candidate like Gore would do well because people would focus more on experience.
Numerous Europeans were in attendance at the party, including Carmen Sanchez, of Spain, who said she felt her country was firmly in favor of Gore.
Some party members said they feel the campaign may have been mismanaged and focused on incorrect issues.
"Democrats walked away from the best issue - the record of the last eight years," Jack Nadler, of Washington, D.C. said, stressing that Democrats should have focused more on economic success.
Those at the Mayflower Hotel certainly did not hide their partisanship.
No matter the race, large boos echoed through the room whenever a Republican won.
Even louder cheers thundered through the room whenever a Democrat won.
The Democrats were optimistic after hearing Hillary Clinton had proved victorious in her race for the U.S. Senate seat from New York.
With 98 percent of the vote counted, Clinton had captured 56 percent of the vote.
Camtu said she felt Clinton's victory was "absolutely beautiful."
"She made history. I'm looking forward to her being in elected office," she said. Another high-profile race was multi-billionaire Jon Corzine's triumph over Bob Franks in New Jersey.
With 95 percent of precincts reporting, Corzine had captured 50 percent of the vote to Franks' 47 percent.
Some said they feel Corzine may have won because of the amount of money he spent on the race.
"I'm pleased we have a system that allows someone to do that," Camtu said.
She said she also felt it was positive that Maria Cantwell, the Democratic candidate in Washington state, was using some of her own money to finance her campaign.
In probably the strangest Senate race of the night, incumbent Missouri Sen. John Ashcroft ran against an opponent who was killed in a plane crash several week's ago.
The race remained in contention when Gov. Mel Carnahan's wife stepped up and said she would fill the seat if her deceased husband was elected.
"I think Carnahan's wife running is totally legitimate. I think it's fair to the Missouri electorate to allow them an option if they are not in favor of the Republican candidate," Kaufman said.
Nadler said he felt it was only appropriate as there is a long tradition of political wives running after their husband's have died.
He labeled it a "venerable American tradition," although he said he felt it appears it didn't work in this case, since Ashcroft appeared to be winning the seat.
However, results from early this morning declared Carnahan the winner.
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