Photos: Mitt Romney loss prompts anger, heartbreak at Colorado Republican watch party
After Gardner's short speech, more supporters started filing out while others lingered -- slumped in chairs watching the continued broadcasts or venting to reporters working the crowd.
"This was a hard fought battle and it's not over yet," said Kathleen Eccleston, a small business owner who lives in Denver; she wore a bright red "Women for Mitt" T-shirt. "We will continue to work across the aisle with the same respect and integrity that we always have." ![]()
Photo by Brandon Marshall Slideshow: Election night in Denver
After so many months, Eccleston said she was particularly upset about how the so-called "women's vote" ended up playing a role in this race.
"The quote-unquote 'women's vote' was abused and manipulated, and I am sad to see women fall for that," she said. "I think it's very easy to get caught up in the media hype and the campaign hype."
Eccleston praised all the work of Colorado volunteers for Romney, but said that in some ways, it felt like they just couldn't match up to the intense ground game of the Obama campaign.
"I don't think Obama realized it was this close. I think he thought he had it more in the bag," chimed in her friend, Tammy Schmidt. "I'm just so glad it's over." ![]()
Photo by Brandon Marshall Slideshow: Election night in Denver
Before the results trickled in last night, supporters in attendance said argued an Obama victory would mean devastation.
Noelle Tarabulski, 52, said she would have to make some changes in her life.
"It means I'm not hiring people. I'll probably sell my house. I will live a much smaller life," she said. "I'm not gonna take risks. My whole view of life would change. I'm very, very scared."
Tarabulski, who lives in Lakewood and has a management consulting business, said that, at the end of the day, it seems many Americans just don't know enough about economics -- including the president.
"My business clients are scared to death. They are...scared to death," she said. "Obama so, so doesn't understand economics and he won't listen to people who do."
Bruce Swartwood, 63, who lives in Morrison, got nostalgic when contemplating four more years under the current president.
"Hopefully, my kids get to see some part of the United States that I grew up in. The '50s, the '60s, the '70s.... Everyone says it's lost but I don't know. I don't know if we'll ever get back to that."
Continue for more photos.
































