by Rachael Alaimo-Monson and Felicia Fonseca
Daily Lobo
The election turned personal for Morgan Pierce.
If Sen. John Kerry is not elected, things will change drastically for the co-chair of the College Democrats.
"It's more than an election, it's part of your life," Pierce said. "When you face such a devastating loss, it definitely forces you to re-evaluate the ways in which you manifest what you believe in."
It took a lot of guts for her to go against family members and friends who are all Republicans.
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"It's not just about the jokes, but it was about seeing things fundamentally different from the people closest to you and the people you wanted to gain respect from," she said.
It's huge - so huge that Pierce said she can't stand to lose a part of who she is if Kerry takes a loss. But she's worked too hard to give up before it's over, and it's not.
It's 1:30 a.m. and Pierce is still receiving text and instant messages from Republican friends declaring President Bush has been elected to another term.
What she fears is that ultimately, America will be led into nuclear warfare.
So many Americans' friends, significant others and siblings are on the front lines out there, she said, and she doesn't want them to be hers if a draft is enacted.
She just wanted Bush out of office, and Kerry was the best candidate to push him out.
About 100 other Democrats and Greens met in the SUB on Tuesday night. When an announcement was made Kerry won a state, it was met with cheers. Boos followed every announcement for a Bush state.
Pierce didn't leave the SUB Ballroom until after 11 p.m. when her stomach was turning. "I am really, really antsy about what's going to happen, but I'm not giving up hope yet," she said.
After months of hard work, the College Democrats and the College Greens put political differences aside to watch the returns.
"It was less political and more simply about getting people out to watch the election," she said.
The event was sponsored by the College Democrats and the College Greens and was not attended by the College Republicans. However, it was open to all students.
Passersby wandered in and out all night. Mark Smith, a graduate student and Bush supporter, saw a sign advertising the event when he passed by after class. He said he was looking for a place to watch the results and was happy with what he saw.
"I appreciated their openness to anybody," he said. "We're going to win Ohio, and America is going to remain free."
