It’s been more than 600 days since Ted Cruz announced his candidacy for president in March of 2015, kicking off what has arguably been the most despicable and exhausting election in American history. A Pew poll found that 59 percent of Americans are “worn out” by election coverage—and that was in July. We’re scared and depressed and angry. It’s been a 600-day norovirus, a 600-day hug from a handsy uncle, a 600-day dawning realization that this America is the one we live in—this one, and not the one we tried to convince ourselves to believe in for so many years, foolishly, we can see that now, but God, was it beautiful to dream. We’re just so tired.
You know who really needs a break, though? The people for whom this election is not just a dread-drenched obsession but a job. I asked political reporters, consultants, and campaign employees what they’re doing on Wednesday—or at least the metaphorical Wednesday: When this whole blighted thing is over, how are they planning to regain their sanity? A trip to a sun-drenched eco-spa miles from the nearest Wi-Fi zone? A family trip to Disneyland? Lying down on the floor without moving for six months? Here’s what they said. (Responses have been condensed and edited.)
The “Getting the Hell Out of Dodge” People
I’m headed to a meditation retreat. Sending up prayers of thankfulness and hoping a new calmness will come down over me.
—LaDavia Drane, congressional affairs, Clinton campaign
I’m heading to Nicaragua in hunt of some left-hand point break waves and no cell service with a few buddies. Sleep, surf, and ceviche. Nothing more, nothing less. But I bought a ticket with travel insurance, because who knows what November 9th will bring.
—Nicholas Corasaniti, New York Times, covering the Trump campaign
I have not taken a vacation since 2013. I have not had this many airline miles in … well, ever. So while I’m sticking around the burning remnants of the capital city for a while, after Thanksgiving I’m heading to Japan for one week and Cambodia and Vietnam for another week.
—Dave Weigel, Washington Post
I don’t believe in making any plans until you get through election day, but hopefully I will take a trip back home to California’s wine country to drink lots and lots of champagne.
—Kristina Schake, deputy communications director, Clinton campaign
The “Spending More Time With My Family” People
Going to my kids’ teacher conference, pretending that I have been a responsible parent.
—Jim Margolis, senior adviser, Clinton campaign
I’m taking my wife out for dinner on Saturday, and buying her flowers to say thanks for handling bedtimes and mornings with the kids while I was out blabbing on TV.
—David Fahrenthold, reporter, Washington Post
My plans are to fly home to Kansas on Nov. 9 and get reacquainted with my family!
—Alan Cobb, national director of coalitions and senior adviser, Trump campaign
I might be tempted to throw my phone into the ocean, but I can’t. Because I have to use that phone to call all the friends and family that I haven’t been able to keep in touch with because I have been on the road full-time for more than a year.
—Sopan Deb, CBS News, reporting on the Trump campaign
Looking at pictures of my family to remember what they look like, and then spending time with them.
—Maggie Haberman, political correspondent, New York Times
Everyone has been telling me I should take a post-election vacation, but I’ve been on so many airplanes and stayed at so many hotels in the last several months that the last thing I want to do is go somewhere. I just want to be home for awhile! It’ll be nice to remind my kids that they have a mother, and to lift some of the burden my heroic husband has been carrying. (Plus, taking a trip with kids is hardly a vacation.)
—Molly Ball, staff writer, the Atlantic
Since the campaign began, I’ve missed parent-teacher conferences and school performances, and this year, even Halloween. I want to get back to all of that, maybe even cook dinner from scratch. I feel like I should establish a medal to honor my husband, who has held down the fort at home while I’ve been away.
—Sarah McCammon, NPR, covering the Trump campaign
I hope that things will have quieted down by Thanksgiving when my boyfriend and I are hosting my parents from Iowa and other relatives for dinner. After 18 months on the campaign trail, I can think of no better way to celebrate being done.
—Jenna Johnson, Washington Post, covering the Trump campaign
The “No Rest for the Weary” People
My birthday is actually Nov. 9. I plan to ring in my 29th year like never before—an election night party with Team McMullin where history is made in the state of Utah and across the nation!
—Kelsey Koenen Witt, Utah communications director, Evan McMullin campaign
I have these fantastic plans to sleep all day and relax and go on really cool vacations and I’m sure I’ll be back at work first thing Wednesday morning and hardly any of these will happen.
—Jason Miller, senior communications adviser, Trump campaign
I’m going full speed after the election hoping to jump right into researching Clinton appointees. I’m taking a ten-day vacation over Christmas in St. John where I’m doing a digital detox to recharge for the new year.
—Andrew Kaczynski, CNN
The day after, I’ll wake up early and go for a run, then watch a couple of hours of whatever I’ve missed on Netflix, and just get some quiet time. But there’s always still some clean-up work to do for a few days, so the beach has to wait a bit.
—Josh Handelman, national finance director, Katie McGinty for Senate
My plan is to stay busy in the newsroom and on Capitol Hill in the days and weeks following the election. But after Thanksgiving, I will travel to California for what will hopefully be a mini-vacation.
—Robert Costa, national political reporter, Washington Post
The “Puppies and Exercise and Armed Resistance” People
I am getting a puppy after Election Day. I’ve wanted a dog for a while, but campaign hours make it difficult to add a pet to your life. … We’ll have time to bond, and when campaign season hits again my pup will be able to hang in a campaign office.
—Rachel Bowman, field director, Minnesota DFL House Caucus
The first thing I plan to do is sign up for a spin class. My schedule has been so funky I’ve been afraid to sign up for one because I never know if news will break out and I won’t be able to make it.
—Tamara Keith, White House correspondent, NPR
If Hillary wins, I’m throwing a gigantic dance party. If Trump wins, I’m joining the resistance.
—Frank Chi, political consultant
