U.S. Catholics in Rome go to work without knowing election results

Published: 2004-11-03

ROME (CNS) -- After gathering for breakfast in a Rome hotel Nov. 3, U.S. Catholics living and working in Rome went to their offices without having heard a concession speech or a victory address from candidates in the U.S. presidential race. "It seems the Democrats are going to ask for a recount in Ohio, which they are entitled to do," said the breakfast host, Jim Nicholson, the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican and former chairman of the Republican National Committee. Nicholson, 66, told his 150 U.S. and Italian guests he did not have gray hair until four years ago when, as RNC chairman, he watched the battle over the Florida balloting rage for more than a month. "We're not here to talk about a winner at this point, but about the process," he said at 9 a.m. Rome time, 3 a.m. Eastern time, after Sen. John Edwards, the Democratic vice presidential hopeful, basically announced Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts was not going to concede the election immediately. Nicholson said the large voter turnout in the United States and the lack of violence showed "respect for democracy and for our Constitution."

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