Happy Days Are Here Again: Manhattan correspondent Steve M. watched the results come in Tuesday night with the New Criterion crowd at Fitz's, and files this report:

The mood at Fitz's went from caution to jubilation as Election Night progressed. The New Criterion folks had the media alignment established perfectly from the start: One big TV stayed on Fox all night. In the first few hours a second TV was allocated the task of telling us what the non-loony Left was thinking--via NBC's coverage of the returns. High fives and demands for another round were therefore available twice for each victory--once on Fox, and, after an interval that was perfect for our pace of consumption, then following a confirmation from a reluctant, but rational, NBC.

Three members of the NYPD stationed themselves right outside on the corner of Second Avenue and 85th Street. Looking in the window, they would give a "What happened?" hand gesture each time the crowd erupted. One of us would then run out and report, and we quickly learned that the NYPD was silently pulling for Bush. When the police asked why there no Kerry supporters in a bar so deeply imbedded behind enemy lines, I explained "We threw out all the Kerry supporters and shoved them towards the bar across the street." Realizing that this sounded like a possible felony, I quickly added--"We did it gently." That got a quick NYPD blessing: "Go ahead and throw them out!"

When Ohio was called by Fox, Dawn ("Special Projects") Steeves set up a line of red, white and blue shots. (With the NYPD hovering, this was a wise replacement for her original promise of a burning French flag.) James Panero, Stefan Beck and a still thirsty host of supporters promptly made the shots vanish along with Michael Moore's hopes for a better America.

Just for a few final laughs, we did switch a TV from NBC to CBS after NBC called Ohio for Bush. Dan Rather looked grim, and it was most amusing to listen to him attempt to construct a scenario for a Kerry victory without adding France or North Korea as the 51st state. The Electoral College does not meet for another six weeks or so--perhaps CBS can find a long lost amendment to the Constitution. Perhaps one that says George Soros gets to decide.

Otto Clemson Hiss also was among the revelers. Armavirumque has posted a photo montage. Steve M's hand is said to be holding the Guinness in the second photo down on the left.