At 8 p.m.—approximately the same time I arrived at the election watch party sponsored by Democrats Abroad (DA) in Guadalajara—retired financial analyst and dual citizen Jorge Mendez was hunkered down on the other side of the city with his media, just like the 50 or so Democrats at the American Society of Jalisco clubhouse.
But, unlike media reports heard at that hour at the DA party—race after race still too early to call—Mendez had already calculated that, to his deep disappointment, that it was impossible for Kamala Harris to win.
Meanwhile, at the party, spirits were generally cautious and stoic, and fears were soothed by plentiful snacks, bar beverages and camaraderie. Stalwart DA activist Jude Wallesen was more open than many to expressing her fears: “In 2016, I had to wear dark glasses the day after the election because my eyes were so swollen from crying. So I decided to take tomorrow off work.”
But most others were several steps behind Wallesen on the descending staircase of desperation, or at least struggling not to take a tumble.
“I don’t want to say I’m nonchalant,” said Kia Yee, who heads communications for DA. “But I’m trying to be chill. That’s the beauty of being in another country.”
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