Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Watching US Election Returns in Florence

Search

Watching US Election Returns in Florence

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 13th, 2008, 01:59 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Watching US Election Returns in Florence

I will be in Florence all of November, and would like very much to find a place (a bar? an American club? I don't know) to watch the Presidential election returns. I'd be grateful for any suggestions.
colonna is offline  
Old Sep 13th, 2008, 02:02 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Will your hotel room have a TV colonna? It probably will and no doubt one of the stations such as CNN International will cover the elections results. Have a beautiful time in Florence.
LoveItaly is offline  
Old Sep 13th, 2008, 03:23 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,416
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Your main problem is the US Presidential Election results will be appearing overnight in Europe and into early morning, when even bars will be closed.
Your best net is to watch it on TV in your hotel room (CNN, Fox News, Sky News - UK and BBC News are quite commonly available).
Republicans and Democrats Abroad usually have an overnight party to follow the election results, but I don't know if they have a branch in Florence.
Alec is offline  
Old Sep 14th, 2008, 04:38 AM
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you both. I'm at Residenza il Carmine, and there appears to be a TV, but not sure if there is any international programming. I'll look for Democrats Abroad-- for this election, I'd like some company, even if I have to be up at 4 AM.
colonna is offline  
Old Sep 14th, 2008, 04:44 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The website says there is satellite TV in all the apartments, so there is a good chance you will find coverage in English on at least one channel. CNN, BBC World and Sky will all have extensive coverage.
hetismij is offline  
Old Sep 14th, 2008, 06:46 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
This struck a chord with me: we were away on extended trips for the 2000 election, the 2004 election, and now we'll be gone for the 2008 as well.

I didn't like going to sleep without knowing what the results were.

If the results are the same this time around, I'm going to develop a complex about it.
phyllis_stein is offline  
Old Sep 14th, 2008, 07:04 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Do remember, though, that the California polls don't close till 2000 PST - which is 0500 Central European Time on the Friday morning.

All you get before breakfast in Europe is projections based on exit samples - and their track record over the past two elections has been mediocre.

As a lifelong election geek, I've had to get reconciled to just going to bed on US Presidential night, then following the action on Friday morning, either by radio (BBC World Service: probably available in Florence on NovaRadioCittàFutura at 101.5 FM) or these days the computer.
flanneruk is offline  
Old Sep 14th, 2008, 08:05 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 701
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The election is on Tuesday - it's always on a Tuesday. I don't understand why one would be looking for results on Friday - the time difference is not THAT great!



Sam
knoxvillecouple is offline  
Old Sep 14th, 2008, 10:49 AM
  #9  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks to all. I contacted Democrats Abroad and they were very friendly and helpful. There are events planned (maybe including a returns-watching breakfast?). I appreciate all your tips.

colonna is offline  
Old Sep 14th, 2008, 11:50 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,880
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hey I have SKY Sattellite you come watch over here, I'm gonna have an election night all night party! Starts at 10:00 pm until we have a winner.I'm serious
laartista is offline  
Old Sep 14th, 2008, 12:16 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 850
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Colonna--how did you find Democrats Abroad? I'm going to be in Valenica during the elections and I'd like to find out if they have anything planned there.

Thannks
Jayne11159 is offline  
Old Sep 14th, 2008, 01:45 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 27,615
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Colonna - did you have to register to connect with Democrats Abroad? I'm going to be in Portugal for the election. My email to the chair of the Portuguese branch didn't get delivered, but I'm hesitant to register as I don't have a foreign address.
thursdaysd is offline  
Old Sep 14th, 2008, 02:03 PM
  #13  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi laartista-- thanks for the invitation!

thursdaysd, I did get a very prompt and friendly reply from the chairperson of Democrats Abroad in Florence. I didn't have to register to find out what was happening. Try emailing the contact in another city (or headquarters).

It was easy to find all the Dems Abroad contacts through Google.

If I've posted this twice, apologies. Having some trouble with the edit function.
colonna is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Cato
Europe
32
Jul 24th, 2006 08:35 AM
brenlowe
Europe
13
Nov 2nd, 2005 01:50 PM
yawning
Europe
53
Mar 18th, 2004 04:54 AM
swalter518
Europe
10
Jul 29th, 2003 11:59 AM
Julie
Europe
6
Jul 22nd, 2002 07:32 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Your Privacy Choices -