Chicago to re-elect Obama
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E-mail China Daily, November 6, 2012
The stylist voted for Obama in 2008 and cast an early ballot for his fellow Chicagoan this year.
At the Valois, a cafeteria-style restaurant in the Hyde Park neighborhood that Obama used to frequent for breakfast, cook Noel Hurtado was busy serving lined-up customers on Sunday.
Asked his choice for president in 2012, the 15-year Valois employee gave a thumbs-up sign and said, "Obama wins". In front of Hurtado hung a placard listing "President Obama's Favorites" -- six dishes including New York Steak and Eggs ($9.95) and the "All Vegi-Egg White Omelette" ($5.75).
Charlie Newton, a cashier at 57th Street Books, which the current president and first lady would visit in their days in Chicago, said he too would be voting for Obama on Tuesday.
"Obama is not perfect, but he is probably better than Romney," said the young man, who moved to the city from Boston four years ago. He said Romney lacks interpersonal skills.
Larnell Brown, who works at a Starbucks on a corner near the Valois, expressed his support for the Democratic incumbent.
"I don't like Romney, especially his foreign policy. In the last debate, the whole China thing [the Republican talked about] was crazy," Brown said.
However, Fred Bell, a 65-year-old who often visits the Valois, said he has never voted and wouldn't be doing so this year.
"I don't trust any politician," he said. "I don't recall the situation getting better by putting a different man in office."
Opinions about Obama are more mixed and nuanced compared to the citywide euphoria that embraced the 2008 election of America's first black president. On election night four years ago, nearly a quarter of a million Chicagoans flocked to Grant Park downtown to celebrate their local hero's victory.
This year isn't likely to produce a display of jubilation on such a massive scale.
City officials haven't announced any public event for Obama supporters. The main celebration -- or, if Romney wins, concession event -- that the Obama family will attend on Tuesday night will be at the indoor McCormick Place with only a limited number of invitees. Most of those who attend will be volunteers from the Democrat's campaign -- those who phoned potential voters and knocked on doors in search of support.
For the thousands of people without tickets to election-night parties, watching TV coverage of the quadrennial drama will be the only option.
After nearly four years in the White House, Obama is now regarded more as a guest when he visit Chicago than the year-round resident who worked as a community organizer and a University of Chicago law professor.
Hyde Park has many places connected in some way to the president, but few visitors were in view on this sunny Sunday afternoon.
"We plan to have a celebration party here on Tuesday night. You should come," said Davis, the hair stylist.
While Obama and Romney remain in a dead head, according to many polls, Davis doesn't doubt that his former customer will emerge the victor.
"He will win," he said.
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