There were visions of Camelot floating in the air as Americans went to the polls.
By DAVID BRINNhollywood vote 248 88(photo credit: David Brinn)
There were visions of Camelot floating in the air on Tuesday, as Americans went to the polls. At least that was the palpable feeling in the line of some 200 voters at a residential Hollywood polling station.
"I've always heard about what it was like when JFK was running and the hope and joy people had for the country. And this is what it feels like to me now," said Vanessa, a 30-year-old actress and part-time nanny who, like most of the people in the line, appeared to be supporting Sen. Barack Obama over Sen. John McCain.
"This is the closest I've ever come to feeling that sense of optimism - just walking here today and people smiling and saying 'good morning.' It's a beautiful day to be American."
Despite foreboding skies and overnight rain, officials were expecting a high turnout. According to the voter registrar's office, 4.3 million people registered to vote in Los Angeles County, the nation's single largest voting district, up from 3.9 million in 2004. In that election, there was a 79.1 percent voter turnout in the county.
Much of the local attention in the traditionally liberal district was devoted to Proposition 8, a controversial referendum that would amend the California Constitution to ban gay marriage. Activists were handing out "Vote no on 8" flyers at the corner of North Le Brea Street as voters, many clutching Starbucks takeout coffees, made their way to the polling station at the Women's Club of Hollywood.
While many of the voters The Jerusalem Post spoke to in line shared Vanessa's view that an Obama victory was imminent and about to change the complexion of the country, some cautioned that a Obama administration would face daunting tasks.
"There's a lot of work to do in healing the country," said 23-year-old Michael, who works in the entertainment industry in LA and, clad in a suit and tie, was one of the few voters not taking advantage of the day to dress down.
"Both parties are guilty of basically separating the country into two parties. Whoever is elected has to make it a priority to try and unify the country immediately," he said.
That thought was echoed by Liz, a 26-year-old originally from Seattle who works in public relations.
"It's been a divisive campaign. Obama's going to have to be as bipartisan as possible on issues in order to repair things.
"The Republicans may feel disenfranchised if Obama wins, but I think the bigger issues will trump party lines," she said.
While most voters said the economy and domestic issues were their priority in determining who to support, foreign policy also played a determining role. The Obama supporters generally sided with the candidate's policy of initiating diplomatic overtures to Iran but agreed there might come a time for a military option.
"Israel's one of our strong allies. If Iran was about to attack it, I'd support American intervention. I think it would be a necessary recourse," said Obama supporter Tyler, a 38-year-old lawyer. "Ahmadinajad is an evil man."
The Obama supporters admitted that his foreign policy experience was limited but expressed confidence he would be up to speed by Inauguration Day on January 20.
"He's educated and he'll surround himself with educated people," Michael said.
"I think Obama's an intelligent man; He has more intelligence than people on the Republican side give him credit for as far as foreign policy," said actress Vanessa. "I believe he'll surround himself with people who complete whatever gaps he may have, people like [Sen.] Joe Biden."
For some voters, however, such as 40-year-old Simon Mouyal, that assurance wasn't enough.
"The safety of America and the safety of Israel are the most important issues to me. I think Obama's approach to the whole scenario is way out of line," said the Jewish Canadian native, who works in LA's garment industry. "Sitting down with terrorist countries and trying to negotiate unconditionally is not the way to go. I think it's not only naïve, but it's playing with fire.
"I think an Obama presidency will be very difficult for Israel. I don't believe that he's a friend of Israel at all."
Mouyal's outspoken opposition to Obama was clearly a minority position, however, as most voters were expecting and hoping for a Democratic victory.
"I'm going to vote, go back home and sleep for a while," said 32-year-old Chuck. "Then I'm going to go out and look for an Obama victory party."
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