Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

LOS ANGELES - On a cool, crisp morning, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa stood in line like any LA County resident on Election Day at a Hancock Park voting precinct.

The olive skin Mayor with slick black hair, dressed in a black suit, white shirt and lime green tie, couldn’t remain anonymous very long.

Neighbors waiting in line couldn’t help but peek at him. Some waved. Others who stood closer to him talked about their problems.

And of course, news cameras from all over came in to see the Mayor vote on a very historic day.

The Asian Journal spoke to the Mayor as he waited in line.

AJ: Mayor, how are you doing this morning?

AV: It’s a great day. I think you can feel the electricity in the air and I was saying that whether I was in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas or California you could feel that this was going to be special. There’s electricity in the air because I think there’s a great deal of sentiment for change in America right now and you can feel that here. I mean look (he looks at watch) its 7:20 a.m. and there’s a line way down the end of the block [and] that’s true in polling places across the country…"

AJ: Specifically, how important is it to vote in this presidential election?

AV: Well, I think it’s important to vote in every election. But this election is historic and it’s the most important election in my lifetime. The vast majority of people in this country want change. They are yearning and hoping for change. They want to get out of this war as quickly and safely as possible. They believe we have to take on this economic crisis and help people who work hard everyday and barely eek out a living trying to make ends meat. They believe that in this country that healthcare should be a right not a privilege. That we should move away from dependence of foreign oil. That America should unite across partisan lines… to take on these challenges. I feel good about this election. I’m excited. I think we’re all waiting in baited breath for the results to come in.

AJ: Besides the presidential election, there are a lot of propositions on the ballot.

AV: There are and I’m asking people to support Measure R. If you want to do something about traffic and gridlock in Los Angeles, you can’t just talk about it, you can’t just complain about it, we’ve got to invest and I’m hoping that people do that. Vote for Measure Q if you want smaller and safer schools in Los Angeles [and] if you want to modernize and repair your local school. Vote no on Proposition 8 because our constitution should stand for the idea that we shouldn’t discriminate against anyone that marriage is a fundamental right and the government shouldn’t interfere with that right. It’s just unfair and wrong.

AJ: Last question, whom did you vote for?

AV: I voted for Barack Obama.

(www.asianjournal.com)

(Published November 5, 2008 p.A3 LAMDWK)