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Politics have reigned at Amsterdam since Super Tuesday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Call it “Extreme Makeover: Nightclub Edition.” Midtown nightspot Amsterdam traditionally offers drag shows and music videos as primary forms of entertainment for its gay and lesbian patrons. Not so on Tuesday night. The joint looked more like Manuel’s Tavern as 600 attendees turned up to watch the election results on the club’s 23 TVs.
(Allen Sullivan / asullivan@ajc.com)
“It’s been amazing,” co-owner Earl Duffy told us. “We started hosting viewing parties on Super Tuesday and it’s turned into all this.”
Stonewall Democrats mingled with Log Cabin Republicans as states turned red and blue before them.
In the adjacent dance club, the Spot, Halloween decorations had been stripped off the walls so two huge screens could be installed to broadcast more election results. Red, white and blue bunting and American flags hung throughout the facility.
As Pennsylvania was called for Obama, cheers reminiscent of those heard at the Georgia Dome for an Atlanta Falcons touchdown echoed through the club.
Duffy doubles as a bartender at Amsterdam.
“That’s what it’s sounded like through every primary and debate here,” he said. “I’m 50 years old and I’ve never seen this kind of excitement. Not even when [Bill] Clinton first ran. It’s probably good that I stocked up on champagne.”
Baby-sitting keeps mayor from parties
As one of the nation’s most influential African-American female leaders, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin had her pick of parties for Tuesday night’s historic presidential election.
So where did herzzoner end up?
Like many people, she was at home with the remote, flipping around the different news outlets as the votes came in across the nation. Franklin told Q100’s “Bert Show” on Wednesday morning that she had, in fact, been invited to Barack Obama’s victory celebration in Chicago’s Grant Park. But instead, she blew off Barack for a bigger VIP.
Her 11-month-old grandbaby.
Yes, Franklin, a Democrat, volunteered to play grandma on election night as thousands of her fellow Atlantans partied in the streets like the peach had just dropped at Underground Atlanta.
Herzzoner conceded she didn’t exactly whoop it up while baby-sitting either.
“I thought about [having a glass of wine], but I stuck to juice and water and put off celebrating,” Franklin said. “I’ll have a glass of wine tonight.”
Franklin also praised the president-elect for reaching out to John McCain supporters during his acceptance speech. Said Franklin: “We cannot take for granted the validity of those issues.”
Overscene
Incumbent U.S. Senate candidate Saxby Chambliss enjoying a post-Election Day meal at Kyma in Buckhead.
Red vs. blue
One of the more fascinating people Buzz was introduced to Tuesday night? New Mexico voter Ilya Krueger, who couldn’t help shouting, “My vote counted!” as his state was placed in Obama’s win column. But Krueger, who was visiting friends here, didn’t come to his decision lightly. The 32-year-old commercial pilot confessed to conflicting views about the ‘08 campaign.
“I was a huge McCain supporter in 2000,” he recalled. “I ended up voting for George W. Bush. But this time out, McCain ceased to be the candidate I liked. He took too many plays from the Karl Rove playbook.”
Up until a week and a half ago, Krueger remained undecided. “Then I went back and examined the speeches and, honestly, Sarah Palin was the final nail in the coffin for me. The fact that Tina Fey could spoof her without really changing the text of her comments was very telling for me.”
And Krueger no doubt had a few election night tales from Atlanta to tell back home Wednesday. He stepped out of O’Terrill’s Pub on Piedmont Avenue late Tuesday just as CNN declared Obama the winner. Nearby residents immediately flocked to their apartment and condo balconies, screaming and setting off fireworks.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Director Mike Nichols is 77. Actress Sally Field is 62. Singer Glenn Frey is 60. Actor Ethan Hawke is 38. Model-actress Rebecca Romijn is 36. Actress Thandie Newton (below) is 36.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“My country has grown up.”
Poet and author Maya Angelou to ABC News anchor Robin Roberts on the outcome of the 2008 presidential race
Contributing: News services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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