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Excitement Grows as Election Day Continues
November 04, 2008 3:28 PM
ABC News On Campus reporter Dominick Tao blogs:
Around Gainesville and on campus at the University of Florida, expressions of political excitement were blooming Tuesday, with every major intersection in this city of 100,000 besieged with sign-waving volunteers and nearly every classroom, hallway and fast-food line touched by some mark of this historic election.
For many, Election Day started early.
Before classes began Tuesday morning, lines formed at several local polling places, the queues populated mostly by uniformed employees casting their ballots before work. The wait, though, was only about 10 minutes, said Nick Kloehn, a UF linguistics major who decided to get to his polling place at 7 a.m. to vote before a full day of classes.
As the overcast morning crossed into noon, the level of excitement on campus only grew. By 11 a.m., it was impossible to walk through the heart of campus without seeing hundreds of political advertisements and dozens of campaigners.
While there are signs and campaigners rooting for one constitutional amendment or another, or supporting county commission candidates, the lion's share of attention is on the presidential race. And on campus, as measured through sheer promotional weight, Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama appears to be the frontrunner.
Scrawled across benches outside the UF International Center are pro-Obama slogans written in neon sidewalk chalk: "Yes We Can."
In the Chick-fil-A across from the computer sciences building, students waiting in line for an early lunch are covered with stickers sporting the face of Obama.
While UF might have one of the larger pro-John McCain student groups in the country, Gators for McCain, with more than 1,000 members, signs adorned with the McCain-Palin ticket appear outnumbered by at least 5-to-1 in Turlington Plaza, the heart of political expression on the UF campus.
The Election Day zeal also appears to be contagious, with pedestrians around town and on campus unafraid to express themselves.
Two strangers passed each other in a Weimer Hall stairwell on the University of Florida campus.
Breaking the usual wall of anonymity between strangers, one student, moved by the other's T-shirt, decided to say something.
"Nice shirt," said the tall young man.
The young woman, glancing up, blurted a response. "Thanks! GoBama!" she replied.
November 4, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (4)
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I am optimistic that the younger generation is overcoming the American legacy of racism and bigotry and voting for a candidate based on what he stands for and what his qualifications are rather than the color of his skin or the size of his bank account.
Posted by: Jane Sixpack | Nov 4, 2008 3:37:39 PM
I am so glad for Obama and Blacks in general. I heard a report on the news where 3 generations of a family were being interviewed in line. The Grandmother could not hold back her emotions as she talked. I felt so much joy for her. It is about time and I am glad it is Obama; He is a smart well spoken goodlooking man with a winning smile and a wonderful family.
Praise GOD!!
Posted by: jim lilly | Nov 4, 2008 3:52:30 PM
I believe that under Obama's presidency
we will be one united nation, where one
will only be judged by one's character.
I can't wait for that time. I believe Obama was sent . It is like david and golieth, Obama being David of course.
Posted by: vickie richards | Nov 4, 2008 3:58:07 PM
I am 25, a mother of two, and a full time college student. (for demographics)I agree, and I am proud to say our nation is finally looking past color, age, and party affiliation, and voting based on the issues. Regardless of who you voted for, it is refreshing to see that we care about the REAL issues and are voting accordingly. Long live our nation, and I hope for a better day!
Posted by: barbara bates | Nov 4, 2008 10:09:13 PM
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