I rushed out this morning, leaving my cell phone and reading materials behind, thinking today’s voting would be a quick in-and-out 5 minute affair.

Um, no.

What must have surely been a record-breaking line for a primary awaited me at the polls. I did not press the vote button until an hour and a half later.

With nothing else to do, I took note of what was going on around me–who was there to vote, what people were saying.

There were the young professionals, blackberries and iPods in hand–and those who could not afford such luxuries.

There were young people and old–a lot of older people, in fact–a busload of them arrived from a nearby senior residential home.

There were whites, blacks, hispanics, asians…people from all walks of life.

“Will be in line for 1.5 hours, but last general election was 4 hour wait,” typed the woman in front of me into her Blackberry. “At this rate, next general election will be whacked.” (Yes, shame on me for reading over her shoulder.)

Most people were cheerful, happy to be a part of something that seemed really, really important. “I’ve been in line for an hour,” yapped a woman into her phone. “But I’m not leaving–this election is important!”

Unfortunately a few did leave, unable or unwilling to wait in line for so long. One older person collapsed, requiring a 911 call and an ambulance.

Clearly, the electorate is in a mood. From gas prices, to the housing collapse, to the recession, to Iraq–people are sick and tired of being sick and tired, and they’re not going to take it anymore.

I have a feeling this angst will translate primarily into Obama votes. We will see tonight–polls in Virginia close at 7 PM.

Tags: 2008-election, virginia