CHICAGO, IL —
Today, Chicagoans hope to send one of their own to the White House.
I’ve been here since yesterday, walking around Hyde Park (where Obama lives), walking up to Obama National Headquarters, and eating sausage with sauerkraut at Berghoff’s (Abe Froman reference, anyone?).
On my way out to the University of Chicago yesterday, nearly everyone on the bus from downtown was talking about politics. Intensely. “McCain should never have picked Palin,” said one man, who thinks Palin will cost McCain the election. The commuters near him agreed, and the conversation continued for the entire 35 minute ride.
But it didn’t stop there. I have seriously not stopped hearing people talk about the election (as would be expected on a very big Election Day). People seem anxious, paranoid, uncertain.
“All I can do it hope and pray. Hope and pray,” said one man.
I’ve heard that a lot today. Eating dinner at UChicago last night, one man who works at the dining hall said, “I’ve been waiting for this my whole life. I just wish my parents were here to see this.”
Unfortunately, The DP missed Obama voting for himself in Hyde Park early (early) this morning. He was one of the first to vote at his polling station at 7:30ish. I made a stop at three precincts in Hyde Park today, where locals described the turnout as “steady” before 9 a.m., with a line standing outside at 5 a. m.
By 11:08 a.m., the 13th precinct reported 140 out of 400 voters having voted.
And for those locals in Hyde Park today, and all over Chicago for that matter, streets are bustling. The DP couldn’t get within 3 blocks of Obama’s house in Hyde Park, and I couldn’t even take a picture without the Chicago Police saying something. Needless to day, security is a bit tight.
Tonight’s rally in Grant Park is the primary focus for this giant city.
The Chicago Transit Authority is running trains until everyone leaves Grant Park (initially scheduled for as late as 2 a.m., but they claim they will run later if necessary). The Obama campaign’s public event application has them slated to use loud-speakers until 1 a.m. Mayor Daley has said as many as 1 million people could show up, but that number will likely be smaller. Without a doubt, however, the city is anticipating unprecedented turnout for the big show tonight. Most workers in downtown Chicago are leaving work by 3 p.m., hoping to beat the evening rush INTO the city.
More as it comes. Plus pictures when my computer stops being slow.
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