Josh Goldstein reports:
1:25 p.m.
With light rain falling on the Pennrose playground at 12th and Susquehanna in North Philly, it is nevertheless a festive atmosphere. The Obama campaign is here in force, handing out water, donuts, soft pretzels, snacks and umbrellas.
The line to vote is so long they've broken it up so more people can stand under the eaves of the playground building.
Three divisions vote at this location, two polling booths each. Obama workers credited the overwhelming numbers of Temple University students -- from the 7th Division -- voting for the long line. Voters from the other two divisions are getting in without a hitch.
Wayne Johnson, 53, who lives nearby, said he has been voting at this location for a long time and has never seen anything like this year's turnout. He had arrived at 11 a.m. and was almost to the door by 1 p.m.
Charles Davis 4th, 44, who works nights at the airport, said the wait was okay. "It's cool. I don't mind it much. It's worth it to me."
Temple student Ben Reese, 18, of Centerville, Va., waited for two hours, then emerges holding a sticker that read, "I voted today. For Obama 11.04.08." But he voted for Nader.
A flat-bed truck with a deejay and volunteers is entertaining people waiting in the lines. They're playing music, interspersed with Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech.
The overriding message: Have fun. Be patient. Stay in line.
Click here for Philly.com's politics page.
The Inauguration: Jan. 20 blog brings you coverage of President-elect Barack Obama's transition into office.
It's written by political journalists from the Philadelphia Inquirer. Send us your comments -- and news tips -- at this address.
Thomas Fitzgerald joined The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2000, and has covered Harrisburg as well as city, state and national politics for the newspaper. He was a “boy on the bus” in the 2004 presidential campaign and during primary contests in 2000 and 1996.
Nathan Gorenstein has covered politics and government in the city, state and nation for the Inquirer. He's worked in the city hall bureau, had a stint on the business desk, and once covered the suburbs. After serving as assistant regional editor, he was named editor of the "Politics" web site.
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