RICHMOND, Va. — The Romney campaign plane broke down here Saturday night, stranding the candidate, his staff, and the restless press corps for several hours on a tarmac as aides tried to figure out another way back to Boston.
To cope with their indefinitely late night, reporters drank beer, played an increasingly ironic playlist on someone's iPad (feat. "Leaving on a Jet Plane") — and, of course, got on Twitter.
Romney charter turned power off+on twice now. reax in press section: that's what I do with my computer when it isn't working
Romney charter turned power off+on twice now. reax in press section: that's what I do with my computer when it isn't working-- Bonney Kapp
Romney charter shuts down power for 3rd time bf takeoff. "Control Alt Delete," someone in press cabin says. #stillinRichmond
Romney charter shuts down power for 3rd time bf takeoff. "Control Alt Delete," someone in press cabin says. #stillinRichmond-- Bonney Kapp
Defense attorneys, doctors and chartered planes -- three things you don't wanna cheap out on
Defense attorneys, doctors and chartered planes -- three things you don't wanna cheap out on-- Sam Youngman
Overheard on the broken Romney plane, "I'm running out of nicorette gum."
Overheard on the broken Romney plane, "I'm running out of nicorette gum."-- Ginger Gibson
Romney plane still grounded in VA. If there were swing states between here in Boston I'd be afraid we could have a bus tour by morning.
Romney plane still grounded in VA. If there were swing states between here in Boston I'd be afraid we could have a bus tour by morning.-- Garrett Haake
I wonder if—at moments like this, when Romney's stranded on a tarmac & press is blasting Kanye on the plane—he questions his life choices.
I wonder if—at moments like this, when Romney's stranded on a tarmac & press is blasting Kanye on the plane—he questions his life choices.-- McKay Coppins
@mckaycoppins Stay strong. Here's a GIF of cat giving a high five to cheer you up. http://t.co/8l91lKHX
@mckaycoppins Stay strong. Here's a GIF of cat giving a high five to cheer you up. http://t.co/8l91lKHX-- Andrew Kaczynski
I don't wanna wade into the debate here, but when it comes to this plane, I wanna know: who built this?
I don't wanna wade into the debate here, but when it comes to this plane, I wanna know: who built this?-- Sam Youngman
"Leaving on a Jet Plane" now playing -- tauntingly, mockingly, ironically -- in the press cabin of the (still grounded) Romney charter.
"Leaving on a Jet Plane" now playing -- tauntingly, mockingly, ironically -- in the press cabin of the (still grounded) Romney charter.-- Ashley Parker
Good news: new plane expected in an hour and a half. Bad news: new plane expected in an hour and a half.
Good news: new plane expected in an hour and a half. Bad news: new plane expected in an hour and a half.-- Emily Friedman
To the emergency exit! Save yourself! RT @mckaycoppins Things quickly unraveling on the broken down Romney plane. Papa Roach #nowplaying. :(
To the emergency exit! Save yourself! RT @mckaycoppins Things quickly unraveling on the broken down Romney plane. Papa Roach #nowplaying. :(-- Garrett Quinn
I present to you the universe’s love of metaphor. MT @GingerGibson: And the Romney plane is having technical problems.
What's all this whining about some stuck plane? No one cares.
What's all this whining about some stuck plane? No one cares.-- Ben White
By midnight the campaign had secured a replacement plane, and all landed safely in Bedford, MA at around 2:00 a.m., at which point everyone began Tweeting at each other again.