Protesting Proposition 8

Following the mass rally downtown in front of City Hall, some Prop 8 protesters took to the streets, marching back west on Sunset Boulevard. We happened to be passing by at the same time and caught a few images:

Meanwhile, while watching an old episode of “The Amazing Race” (from the Sunday before Election Day) on TiVo tonight, we caught a No on 8 ad featuring Sen. Dianne Feinstein. It was much stronger than the ones that had previously been airing on TV, and finally included some heavy hitting comments from the likes of Feinstein and Obama. It’s just really unfortunate the No on 8 campaign waited until just before the election to unveil a tougher ad like that.

But you can only blame the No on 8 campaign so much. The “Yes” side ran ads that were misleading and stoked fear… and if history is any indication (hello, Willie Horton and the Swift Boaters), that’s what all too frequently works in elections.

Retro Friday: Camelot, Part I

A vintage newsreel from 1960, when another young president-elect captured the excitement of the American people.

How Obama’s Alma Maters are Playing Up (or Down) His Big News

This cracked me up: I went to the Punahou School website to see if the school’s most famous — and now most powerful — alum was mentioned. I love the nonchalant nature of the news brief… like it’s just another mundane piece of news, along side “Guest Clinician Hits Right Note” and “November Service Opportunities.”

In comparison, here’s how Eagle Rock’s own Occidental, where Obama spent the first two years of college, is playing him up:

Hold on there, Oxy — Columbia (where the prexy-elect spent the second half of his undergrad days) is also claiming Obama as its 1983 alum:

Then there’s the Harvard Law School, which puts the Obama news under its normal “Spotlight on Alumni Pursuits” column. Love it — “Hey, guess what Barack Obama ’91 is up to these days — he’s just hanging out, you know, as the PRESIDENT-ELECT!”

First Draft of History: How Southern California’s Papers Covered Last Night

Still stunned over the passing of Prop 8 — a reminder that California is not a completely Blue state — but it was hard not to get caught up in the historic moment last night when every news outlet, pretty much simultaneously, declared Barack Obama the president-elect at 8 p.m. PT. After two elections that weren’t determined until after election day, it was nice to once again go to bed knowing the hard-fought contest’s results.

It also gave newspapers across the country ample time to plan out their splashy front pages for Wednesday. Here’s how our regional papers looked this morning:

The Los Angeles Times and the Daily News. The Times plays up the Prop. 8 angle right below the head “It’s Obama.” (Really? I dunno about that hed. It feels kinda cheesy, and can be read several ways. Nonchalantly — “Oh, hey, Obama won.” Negatively — “F*@k, it’s Obama!” Game showy — “Herrrrrre’s Obama!”) The Daily News (I’m sorry, I hate what they’ve done with the paper’s nameplate, in that big, red box), meanwhile, goes more traditional.

La Opinion and The Bakersfield Californian. I continue to like what the Californian does with big news stories, blowing up photos and using minimal text.

The San Bernardino Sun and The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario), which combined operations a while back.

The Press-Enterprise (Riverside) and the San Diego Union-Tribune. Press-Enterprise getting quite wordy with that headline.

The San Francisco Chronicle. It’s not SoCal, but I was struck by this front page. I’m thinking the designer was inspired by those Shepard Fairey posters.

Have You Voted Yet?

Our polling station had a line, but it was moving pretty fast. The volunteer at the entrance told us we’d come at a good time (around 8 a.m.), as the initial rush had started to die down. Cool side note: A neighbor recognized us from the blog — the second time that’s happened this week! (We also ran into another Franklin Avenue reader at Trader Joe’s.)

I’ve never seen so many volunteers at our polling station — which is found inside someone’s garage. It all went smoothly. And most importantly, we FINALLY got to vote in this election!

And thanks to the fine folks at ACORN, Evan got to vote in his first-ever election!

That’s a joke, folks.

Meanwhile, over in Silver Lake, the lines were much longer at this polling station.

Pretty self-explanatory. Hope you’re not swayed by those misleading, shameful pro-Prop 8 ads.

Other notes on election day:

My colleague on the TV reporting beat, the Hollywood Reporter’s Nellie Andreeva, writes about voting in her first-ever U.S. presidential election. Nellie, who became an American citizen two years ago, recounts her first election, in her native Bulgaria — back when it was still under Communist rule.

Another colleague, the St. Petersburg Times’ Eric Deggans, writes about getting his first racist, anti-Obama letter this election season. The letter is scary — but Eric takes some heart that it took this long to actually receive a note like this.

Also: The Atwater Village Newbie reports that anti-gay vandals have tagged cars in Atwater Village and Los Feliz that were sporting No on 8 signs.

Anyway, what have all of you encountered so far at the voting booth? Smooth sailing? Long lines? Confused voters? Equally confused volunteers?

Also, have you picked up any freebies yet? I’m sipping my free Starbucks at this moment. And preparing for a nervous day as we all wait for the results.

Retro Election Day: Vote 88, And Have Your Say The American Way

And above, Walter Cronkite anchors the 1972 election coverage for CBS.

Vote… And Then Flash Your "I Voted" Sticker All Day Long

Free stuff? Good. Free stuff after voting in the most important election of our lifetimes? Even better.

Yep, I’ll be in line for a free 12 oz. (“tall”) coffee tomorrow at Starbucks. Perhaps at several locations.

And maybe, I’ll also head to Krispy Kreme for a free star-shaped donut. And Ben & Jerry’s for a free scoop.

Meanwhile, Thrillist has put together a list of other freebies or discounts tomorrow. Just flash your “I Voted” sticker:

“Healthy” Vote: O!Burger (8593 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood; 310.854.0234)
Buy a burger at this all-natural hole-in-the-wall and get a free order of fries or organic cookies — whose organic crumbs will be telltale evidence that you voted for Nader.

Drinky Vote #1: Colorado Wine Co (2114 Colorado Blvd, Pasadena; 323.478.1985)
Take 50% off any of the 6-7 whites and reds this small shop’ll be pouring — perfect if you recently took 50% off your bank account.

Rockin’ Vote: Amoeba Music (6400 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood; 323.245.6400)
The leviathan music store’s handing out coupons good for $2 off anything — a new cd, used vinyl, a poster from the Milli Vanilli show you hit on election night ’88… Use your discount on Orrin Hatch’s How His Glory Shines, and $2 will be taken off your soul.

Dessert Vote: Tart (115 S Fairfax, Mid-Wilshire; 323.556.2608
Tart’s offering a free dessert to compliment discounted drinks and a special election menu that includes the likes of a caramelized onion, roasted red pepper & aioli “Bailout Burger”. No purchase necessary for the dessert, but cheapskates run the risk of the waiter giving them “Bailout Eyes.”

Lookin’ Good Vote: Cristophe Salon (348 N Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills; 310.274.0851)
This Beverly Hills salon’ll give you 50%-off gift certificates, and on-the-spot services you need (haircut), services you don’t (coloring), and services you claim you don’t (waxing).

Drinky Vote #2: Pitfire
At all the Pitfire pizzeria (in Downtown and North Hollywood)
The Downtown and North Hollywood outposts of this pizzeria mini-chain are offering your choice of either Edison Ale or an “Obama/McCain” limited-edition soda — so basically, vote for Edison.

Lunchy Vote: Pink Taco (At Westfield Century City: 10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Century City; 310.789.1000)
Get a shot of well tequila and 3 free pink tacos — a Clintonian deal hearkening back to the freewheeling days of Election ’96.

The Orange County Register’s Fast Food Maven has more Election Day promotions here.

The Scene: Obama’s Get Out the Vote Phone Bank in Hollywood

The scene over the weekend at the Obama campaign’s Get Out the Vote phone bank, at the Sunset-Gower studios in Hollywood.

PRESS RELEASE OF THE DAY: Maury Povich’s Erection Election Special

Leave it to Maury Povich to remind us what’s really important on election day:

HAVE YOUR VOTE COUNTED ON "MAURY" IN SPECIAL ELECTION DAY EPISODE

Hit Syndicated Talk Show Host Maury Povich Is Transformed Into A Presidential Candidate And Has An Election Day Special Of His Own; "Time To Vote! Born Man Or Woman?"

New York, NY – October 30, 2008 - Hit syndicated talk show "Maury," is holding its own election on Tuesday November 4th, allowing viewers all across the USA an opportunity to cast an important ballot.

While most broadcast and cable networks will be focused on the presidential election that day, Maury Povich will be dressed up and acting "presidential" as viewers will be offered an Election Day alternative, "Time To Vote! Born Man or Woman?" This special episode features some transgender candidates, as well as others who were born as women, strutting their stuff in front of the show's live studio audience. The audience and viewers at home will be able to vote on whether the candidates are really women or men in disguise.

Viewers at home can participate and have their vote counted by logging onto to www.MauryShow.com.

"This is probably the most important election in our country's history...not that the one with Barack Obama and John McCain doesn't count," joked host Maury Povich. "Our goal, after a very long and tough presidential campaign, is just to have a little fun with our studio audience and viewers at home."

Retro Friday: Harry Belafonte Gives His Endorsement

Belafonte throws his weight behind JFK! Day-oh!