Washington DC gears up for Election 2008

The official race for the White House means all eyes are on Washington, DC, and there’s no better place to get a ‘taste’ for political power than in the capitol of the USA. Why not plan your own ‘power trip’ over the coming months and to help you make the most of your visit, here are some A-political tips and ideas.

D’Electable Cocktails

DC’s restaurants and bars are serving up election-inspired cocktails worthy of a vote.

Lotus Lounge’s “Pick the POTUS (President of the United States) at Lotus” promotion allows customers to “vote” for a candidate by ordering drinks named after those in the race. For starters, try the Obama-rama, which features Grey Goose orange-flavored vodka, Malibu rum and orange, cranberry and pineapple juices in a nod to the candidate’s childhood home state of Hawaii.

At the JW Marriott’s 1331 Lounge, join a politics-minded crowd for Bi-Partisan Tuesdays. Through Election Day, November 4, the lounge will serve up three election-themed libations. Republicans can sip the Grand Old Potable, a red state concoction made with Absolut Citron, Pama Pomegranate liqueur and sour mix, while Democrats can vote by ordering the Left of the Isle, with Absolut Citron, Blue Curacao and sour mix. Can’t decide? Try the On the Fence, a blend of Navan vanilla-infused cognac, cream, Crème de Cacao and Amaretto.

Campaign cocktails are now on the ballot at the Topaz Bar, whose Topaz Votes ’08 Campaign Cocktail Menu lets its customers vote for their candidate, while keeping a running tally of who’s ahead. For true-blue Democrats, there’s the Double-Down Donkey, made with citrus vodka, Blue Curacao, a splash of sour and topped with champagne. Die-hard Republicans can opt for the All-In Elephant, a mix of Malibu Rum, Bacardi Orange, amaretto, grenadine, lime juice and a splash of cranberry and orange juice. If you can’t make up your mind, try the Independent Player, which blends Stoli and aloe vera juice. Or, keep your options open with The Undecided, a mini-flight of all three campaign cocktails. Each cocktail is priced at $10.

The power scenes at Sam & Harry’s and The Caucus Room add a little friendly competition with a new menu of political martinis, or “poli-tinis.” As diners vote by ordering the red GOP cosmo or the blue Dem Margarita-tini, they can watch their party’s tally grow. Each cocktail comes in a collectible martini glass featuring etched party animals on each side and can be purchased for an additional $5.

OYA Restaurant & Lounge in Penn Quarter is ushering its patrons down the “Road to the Wine House.” The restaurant offers wines from McCain’s home state of Arizona and Obama’s home state of Illinois. OYA is also offering trios of politically motivated wine flights. Each flight features three two-ounce servings of wines from states that traditionally vote “red” (Republican), “blue” (Democratic) or “swing states” that go in either direction.

At the always hot Degrees Bar & Lounge, located in The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, mixoligists and hotel chefs are preparing an array of delicious election elixirs through election night. Voting for Obama? Try a Jager Bama, a fun take on the popular Jager Bomb, with a mixture of Red Bull and Jagermeister. For McCain’ers, the McHito is a delicious blend of 10 Cane Rum, fresh mint, sugar and lime juice. And for those still undecided, there’s the non-partisan, Cosmopolitician, a new version of the classic Cosmo, with perfect parts of vodka, triple sec, lime and cranberry juice.

A Presidential A-fare

Washington, DC’s restaurants are also offering limited-edition dishes to tie in with the momentous election year.

Chef Arnel Esposo of Palette restaurant in the Loews Madison Hotel will offer his version of official Inauguration luncheon fare with a three-course menu available at both lunch and dinner from January 10 – 25, 2009. Each dish will be attributed to a President and the year he was inaugurated, such as scalloped crab and lobster for President George Walker Bush, 2005; or California garden salad for President Ronald W. Reagan, 1981.

At The Source by Wolfgang Puck, patrons can listen to their palates instead of the pundits. Executive Chef Scott Drewno is bringing the flavors of Illinois and Arizona to DC, giving diners the opportunity to let their food preferences pick their party. DC’s favorite half-smoke gets a distinctive Chicago twist as Drewno combines the best of both worlds in his unique “Chicago-Style” Half Smoke. Hold the ketchup on this hot dog that comes with the traditional toppings of mustard, sweet pickle relish, chopped onions, tomato wedges, dill pickle, and peppers. Diners with a craving for Southwestern flavors can sink their teeth into the Arizona-inspired Baby Back ribs. These election-inspired dishes will be available during dinner hours Monday through Saturday.

Election ’08 may be among the most delicious ever at Asia Nine. Owner Nuthinepan Tantivejakul and chef/owner Boonrod Yotmanee pay homage to the candidates by offering a selection of maki sushi, each designed with a politico in mind. For those that are favoring the blue Donkey, the Obama Roll is a lean and green offering of mixed green veggies - asparagus, cucumber, avocado, radish sprout and basil leaves dusted with sesame seeds. For the big red elephants out there, the McCain Roll is a nod toward the west with a mix of lobster guacamole and tortilla chips. And its sidekick, the Palin Roll, including what else but smoked Alaskan salmon with spicy mayo.

At Degrees Bar & Lounge, located in The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, hotel chefs are serving campaign fare to go along with their election elixirs through election night. Special campaign-themed delicacies include Chef Quang Duong’s Barack “n” Rolls, a crispy spicy yellow fin tuna roll with cucumber seaweed salad, and Shrimp McCain, a grilled shrimp on a sugarcane skewer with tomatillo serrano chili.

At Bi-Partisan Tuesdays at the JW Marriott’s 1331 Lounge through Election Day, Nov. 4, the kitchen created budget-friendly menu items like Left Wings flavored with spicy Asian sauce and Right Wings flavored with honey barbeque sauce and Undecide’r Sliders, made with your choice of Black Angus beef, chicken, salmon or pulled pork.

Free-for-all

Make your dollars go further by checking out free and low-cost election-themed exhibitions throughout the city.

See a re-creation of the White House China Room, including more than 150 pieces of Presidential china in The Presidential Dish, on display at the Woodrow Wilson House Museum until January 25, 2009.

Find a tribute to Abraham Lincoln's second Inaugural Ball in The Honor of Your Company is Requested: President Lincoln's Inaugural Ball, on display at the Smithsonian American Art Museum until January 18, 2010. The ball actually took place inside the museum itself, which once housed the US Patent Office.

And coinciding with Inauguration Day, Presidents in Waiting comes to the National Portrait Gallery on January 20. It highlights American vice presidents who succeeded to the presidency. The exhibition will be on display until January 2, 2010. While you’re there, why not take in the Gallery’s permanent collection, America’s Presidents, featuring imagery of all 42 U.S. presidents.

Experience Richard Avedon: Portraits of Power, currently on display at the Corcoran Gallery of Art until January 25, 2009. The Collection features nearly 250 juxtaposing images of elite government, media, and labour officials, such as Karl Rove, Julian Bond and Barack Obama, with counter-cultural activists and ordinary citizens caught up in national debates.

Museums aren’t the only places in DC to get in on the election action. Whether it’s the cozy Billy Martin’s Tavern in Georgetown where J F Kennedy proposed to Jackie, the regal Mandarin Oriental Hotel where Barack Obama stayed in the heat of the race for the Democratic Party nomination, or serene Theodore Roosevelt Island, a 91-acre green space with a memorial dedicated to past president Teddy and his commitment to conservation.

There are a number of presidential sites drawing the attention of political ‘junkies’ everywhere, like the newly restored Lincoln Cottage in Northeast DC and the Library of Congress’ new Visitor Experience, complete with a re-creation of Thomas Jefferson’s library. At Madame Tussauds, visitors can pose with past presidents and contenders and even take a picture behind the most powerful desk in the world – located inside a perfect replica of The Oval Office.

Regal Rooms

Washington, DC’s hotels are following suit too, offering politically correct hotel packages to match the city’s exciting vibe.

Ritz-Carlton is offering ‘Politically Correct’ packages at the Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown and the Ritz-Carlton, Washington, DC from Jan. 17-21, 2009. The $99,000 Georgetown Politically Correct package includes a four night stay in a Presidential Suite, Gucci luggage, two tickets to the inaugural parade and an official inaugural ball, a four-night stay at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman to relax after the festivities have ended, and a host of other special amenities to make your stay perfectly regal.

The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, DC Politically Correct package offers a four-night stay in a luxury suite, an $8,000 Custom Judith Ripka “Heart of the Nation” Pendant designed exclusively for the Politically Correct package, two tickets to the inaugural parade and an official inaugural ball, and personal styling services at Saks Fifth Avenue in Chevy Chase, MD, including a complimentary designer dress and tuxedo. These amenities, and many others, are available at the Ritz-Carlton, Washington, DC for $50,000.

Kimpton’s Washington DC hotels are to celebrate the Presidential Inauguration with Maverick Makeover or Ba ‘Rock’ Star treatment Inaugural packages available from 17 – 21 January 2009. Priced from $655, these can be purchased as side-packages for any guestroom featuring professional make-up applications, hairstyling (up-do, twist or braiding for women), relaxing massages and a gourmet platter of snacks to fuel up on before heading out for the night. Participating hotels include the Hotel George, Topaz Hotel, Hotel Madeira, Hotel Paolomar Washington, DC and the Hotel Monaco Washington, DC. Suites are priced from $799 per night or $2009 per night with a four-night minimum over the Presidential Inauguration period (based on the Hotel Monaco).

The Renaissance Mayflower, which has seen many elections and candidates come and go over the years, has designed a suite retreat for fans and supporters of each candidate. The ‘Road to the White House’ package includes a luxurious suite, a historic inaugural menu dinner in the Café Promenade, an Old Town Trolley sightseeing tour and a signature glass DC monument replica, priced at $329 per night.

‘Sax’ appeal

The path to the presidency eventually starts and finishes at the U.S. Capitol, so why not start your visit there as well? The new Capitol Visitors Center, which opens on December 2, 2008, is designed to welcome visitors to the seat of the U.S. government. The largest project in the Capitol’s 212 year history, it encompasses two orientation theatres, an exhibition gallery, a dining facility for up to 550 people, two gift shops, and an underground walkway linking to the Jefferson Building at the Library of Congress.

Trace remnants of past presidencies, including inaugural gowns, military uniforms and even Bill Clinton’s saxophone, at “America’s Attic,” the National Museum of American History, re-opening to the public on November 21 after more than a year-long renovation. Visitors can look forward to a new high-tech gallery displaying the original Star-Spangled Banner, a central atrium and grand staircase, and a new permanent exhibit - the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation.

To honor a past president, DC's cultural organisations, attractions, restaurants and hotels throughout the region are joining together for a celebration of Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday through exhibitions, lectures, special events and more. Highlights of the promotion include the grand re-opening of Ford's Theatre on February 12, 2009 after an extensive renovation, the re-enactment of Marion Anderson's historic concert at the Lincoln Memorial and the re-dedication of the Lincoln Memorial.

Official details about the 56th Presidential Inauguration festivities will be released by the Presidential Inaugural Committee, which will be established in November 2008. Generally, the culmination of inaugural events occurs as the President and Vice-President take the oath of office on the steps of the Capitol at noon on January 20, 2009, followed by festivities throughout the city, both public and private. Washington.org will feature updates.

For further information about travel to Washington, DC, Virginia or Maryland visit washington.org or capitalregionusa.co.uk.