Debate?

On Thursday, for the presidential debate, I wanted to find a bar or debate watching party with people whose views were similar to mine. I figured, I'll call the NJ Congressional Offices, and see if there's some New Jersey viewing party going on! I gave a ring to Rush Holt's office and Jon Corzine's office. The staff members who answered said that there wasn't anything going on that they didn't know of any bars to go to. Sarah suggested that maybe since there were so many New Jersey people here, that they don't really have as much of a sense of "school spirit." So, I decided see if Illinois had any plans, calling Dick Durbin's office. On Durbin's website, he mentions a monthly Illinois Coffee hour! So, I thought, "Great! Illinois spirit!" I speak to someone, asking if the Illinois delegation had any bars they were going to watch the "game" or just recommendations in general. After the staff member consulted with someone else, they informed me that "that information is priviledged." They are "unable to give me that information because it deals with the campaign." I respond... "But, I just want to know about some bars in the area. I've just moved here and don't even know know what's around." (That's pitiful sounding, I know.) But, they still refused to divulge any information. So, I decided, maybe watching the debates just wasn't in the cards for me.

After work, I stopped by the NSF's Sensors: Buildings, Battlefields, and Beyond seminar/exhibit downstairs. While there, I got a call from my roommate Tina to go out w/ her fellow Republican staffers from New Mexico to the Red River Grill. Afterwards, we went to the Capitol Lounge to hang out with one of her brother's friends who was there for someone else's birthday. They were playing the debate there, but unfortunately, I got stuck in the room decorated with Nixon posters and Elephant signs. After about 15 min. of watching the debate, I had to sit at a table outside because I couldn't take all the cheering everytime Bush opened his mouth. I even got yelled at by a woman when I tried to explain Kerry's "flip flop." She knew about all the other versions of the bill, she said. She works in the SENATE. (And I just had to chuckle to myself. After hanging out with a bunch of people who work in the Senate, it's clear that the majority of the people there are answering the phone and answering constituent mail and are NOT involved in guiding the policy created in the office.)