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Tens of thousands gather as Clinton watches election returns in Manhattan Thousands gather as Hillary Clinton watches election returns in Manhattan
(about 1 hour later)
Women in suits, mothers and daughters, hucksters selling “Nasty Women” pins and tens of thousands of members of the public surrounded Manhattan’s largest glass ceiling on Tuesday night, to await the result of a presidential election that could sweep away the highest gender barrier in US politics. Women in suits, mothers and daughters, hucksters selling “Nasty Women” pins and tens of thousands of members of the public surrounded Manhattan’s largest glass ceiling on Tuesday night, to await the result of a presidential election that many hoped would sweep away the highest gender barrier in US politics.
The Jacob K Javits Convention Center, the imposing glass structure named for a long-serving liberal Republican senator and where Hillary Clinton was to spend election night, was selected as a fitting venue for a candidate who eight years ago, after her defeat by Barack Obama in the 2008 Democratic primary, assured a crowd of tearful female supporters that they had helped place 18m cracks in the “the highest, hardest glass ceiling”. The Jacob K Javits Convention Center, the imposing glass structure named for a long-serving liberal Republican senator where Hillary Clinton was to spend election night, was selected as a fitting venue for a candidate who eight years ago, after her defeat by Barack Obama in the 2008 Democratic primary, assured a crowd of tearful female supporters that they had helped place 18 million cracks in the “the highest, hardest glass ceiling”.
On election night, a halo of high-powered lights gave the building an ethereal glow as the tension built and the first results started to come in from around the country. The lights also illuminated throngs of thousands of people who were held outside, unable to gain access to the celebration within, some of them clutching tickets. The New York police department made 11th Avenue, on the far west side of Manhattan, an impromptu holding area. Burger vans did a thriving trade on a fresh fall evening by the Hudson river. On election night, a halo of high-powered lights gave the building an ethereal glow as the tension built and the first results started to come in. The lights also illuminated throngs of thousands who were held outside, unable to gain access to the celebration within, some of them clutching tickets. The New York police department made 11th Avenue, on the far west side of Manhattan, an impromptu holding area. Burger vans did a thriving trade on a fresh fall evening by the Hudson river.
Inside, Clinton was scheduled to speak on a stage that was constructed in the shape of the United States, with her podium positioned somewhere over Texas, a deep red state likely to stay that way despite a nationwide increase in the Hispanic vote that fuelled some hopes of turning it purple, if not Democratic blue. American flags lined the stage. The pledge of allegiance was said and the national anthem played. Inside, Clinton was scheduled to speak on a stage that was constructed in the shape of the United States, with her podium positioned somewhere over Texas, a deep red state that would stay that way despite a nationwide increase in the Hispanic vote that had fuelled hopes of turning it purple, if not Democratic blue. American flags lined the stage. The pledge of allegiance was said and the national anthem played.
A thunderous round of cheers rang out, around the cavernous space and off that glass ceiling, as newscasters announced that Clinton had won her home state, Illinois. More states came and went, early in the evening and largely as they had been expected: Delaware, Vermont, Massachusetts and New Jersey for Clinton, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama and more for Trump. Things were predictably close in Florida, the swing state of swing states and the battleground of battlegrounds, with Clinton seemingly ahead but Trump surging back into fierce contention as the counts continued to come in. Thunderous cheers rang around the cavernous space and off that glass ceiling, as newscasters announced that Clinton had won Illinois, the state where she was born. States came and went, largely as had been expected: Delaware, Vermont, Massachusetts and Rhode Island for Clinton, South Carolina, Alabama and more for Trump. Things were predictably close in Florida, the swing state of swing states and the battleground of battlegrounds, with Clinton seemingly ahead but Trump surging back into fierce contention.
The thousands outside the Javits were locked there after security officials shut down the entrances early in the evening, amid general confusion about what was going on, who was inside and who would be forced to remain in the cold. Those outside faced an unplanned al fresco evening which was quickly dubbed a “block party” – they would be able to watch from large screens set up in the great outdoors. Outside, New York mayor Bill de Blasio addressed the crowd, who waved American flags and sounded upbeat and energetic. A coalition of women who have lost family members to gun violence or police killing also addressed the crowd.
“We are not going back, we are going forward,” said Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner, a black man from Staten Island who died in a police chokehold.
When news came in that Clinton had won New York, an unsurprising result, the audience cheered and waved their flags. News that Trump was winning in Florida and that it was close in North Carolina, however, was met with an eerie silence. Both states were crucial to the Republican’s path to victory.
Jennifer Sutton, 44, of the Jersey shore, spoke to reporters over a barricade that prevented mixing with supporters. She said she was enjoying the kindness and congeniality of the crowd, an antidote, she said, to the negativity of the last 18 months.
“It’s a bit of a scary time right now,” she said.
Brian Hassett, 55, an American from New York who now lives in Toronto, said he had driven down to witness history.
“Obama was a new car off the lot,” said Hassett, who wore a top hat and a dark coat covered with stickers. “With [Hillary Clinton], it’s like you’re buying a used car that’s been around for awhile and you already know all the problems.”
As the race tightened in recent weeks, Hassett said, several friends had called him to inquire about possibly moving north if Trump were elected.
The thousands outside the Javits were locked there after security officials shut down the entrances early in the evening, amid general confusion about who was inside and who would be forced to remain in the cold. Those outside faced an unplanned al fresco evening which was quickly dubbed a “block party” – they would be able to watch events inside on large screens.
The Democratic presidential nominee was watching the results come in from the Peninsula hotel in Midtown, having voted earlier in the day with her husband, former president Bill Clinton, at a polling station near their home in Chappaqua, New York.The Democratic presidential nominee was watching the results come in from the Peninsula hotel in Midtown, having voted earlier in the day with her husband, former president Bill Clinton, at a polling station near their home in Chappaqua, New York.
A crush of onlookers, some with children hoisted on their shoulders, crowded the polling booth to glimpse Clinton as she made her choice. At the hotel, an aide said, the Clintons worked on the candidate’s planned remarks for later in the evening and “noshed a little bit” on a buffet spread that included salmon, roasted carrots, vegan pizza and fries. Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky were in the Clinton suite with the grandchildren, Charlotte wearing what the aide described as “a very adorable Hillary-themed dress”, featuring Clinton’s H logo with the forward arrow.
“It is the most humbling feeling,” she told reporters, continuing: “I know how much responsibility goes with this and so many people are counting on the outcome of this election, what it means for our country, and I will do the very best I can if I’m fortunate enough to win today.” Asked about the mood of the campaign, the aide said: “We felt confident this morning and into the afternoon. Nothing has changed that.”
In a series of radio interviews earlier on Tuesday, Clinton joked about what her husband’s new title might be on his return to the White House, 15 years after leaving it and handing the keys to George W Bush. She said she liked “first dude” but was also partial to “first laddie”, a pun on first lady. The aide pointed to Nevada as a state the campaign feels good about, and said they had no reason “to feel different” about Virginia or Michigan. The aide highlighted North Carolina as close.