Tuesday night's smooth presidential election was a win for a democracy but a dud for the official parties. The Republican National Committee party at the Ronald Reagan Building featured a tearless John Boehner and some celebrating over the GOP retaining the House. The mood soured, obviously, after 11 p.m.

Things weren't much more fun over at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's party at the Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel, where the "Important People" were cordoned off in a ballroom and everyone else was stuck with a cash bar and bowls of watery green salsa. None of that mattered to partygoers, of course, as the electoral returns began mounting for President Obama.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid took the stage after the race was called and was described as a "bad a--" by one very loud party attendee. Reid looked pleased.