by Mark Silva and updated.
CHICAGO -- We think we know how this voter voted today.
The morning vote of Barack Obama in his Southside Chicago neighborhood capped a campaign that started 21 months ago for the junior senator from Illinois.
After a final round of Election Day campaigning, Obama planned a pick-up game of basketball with some friends today.
Someone else showed up at Obama's polling place this morning, too: Bill Ayers, the University of Illinois at Chicago education professor, former radical war protester from the Sixties and associate of Obama's on civic boards whom the McCain campaign attempted to make a central figure in the election contest. Sarah Palin, John McCain's running mate, had accused Obama of "palin' around with terrorists.''
A pool reporter at the polling place called out: "Mr. Ayers, who did you vote for?" Ayers turned around, but did not reply.
Obama arrived at the Beulah Shoesmith Elementary School polling location (precinct 24, ward 4) at 7:36 am CST, just minutes after Ayers had departed. Wife Michelle and daughters Sasha and Malia accompanied him.
When Obama cast his ballot, he announced to the few dozen onlookers snapping photos with their camera phones, "I voted."
The crowd let out a big cheer.
Tonight, he would join an expected crowd of some 70,000 inside the fenced perimeter of his election night rally in Grant Park. But the city was girding for as many as one million people assembling along the Lake Michigan shoreline for an expected celebration.
(Photo of Michelle and Barack Obama voting by Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune.. Photo of Obama by Jae Hong / AP)
Comments
This is great. But we can all watch T.V. about this later. Go to the polling station. Be an observer from across the street. Talk to people. Don't let them think they can steal this vote.
Posted by: Protect the vote now. Watch TV later--like tomorrow | November 4, 2008 10:01 AM
This is a historic day in American and I'm glad I got to see and participate in it.
Posted by: Don in Arizona | November 4, 2008 10:05 AM
As a White, Jewish American I cast my vote this morning at 6:00AM proudly for Barack Obama. I know that he will win and I am beaming with pride about America and I am very proud today to be an American. We've come a long way and we still have a long way to go but every American should be thrilled that we chose the content of someone's character rather than the color of his skin in deciding who our next President should be. I am fifty-eight and have grown up during a time when Blacks could not drink from the same water fountains as whites, use the same bathrooms as whites or eat at the same restaurants as whites. Finally, at long last, America has been transformed into a nation where we judge someone for their ability and not their race. I believe the greatness of America that so many people around the world admire and love will be restored by President Obama. Rejoice America!!!!! We did it right, we did it well, and we just elected a great President!.
Posted by: Mark Jeffery Koch | November 4, 2008 10:24 AM
I have been in such fear about this day. Fearful that the election will be stolen again. Please provide as much update on yesterday's testimonial from Michael Connell, voting machine I/T specialist who has been working with Karl Rove!!!!
Posted by: Patty | November 4, 2008 10:27 AM
good to Barack Obama
for 2008 vote
Posted by: alemuarse | November 4, 2008 10:39 AM
Go Barack! Today will either be a big step in the right direction or a sad start to the next four years!!
Posted by: Leah | November 4, 2008 11:06 AM