BOSTON, Mass. -- Located near the site where the Pilgrims landed nearly 400 years ago, and near many Revolutionary War events, one could argue that Boston has often been on the "frontline" of American history.
But the city that also hosted the Democratic National Convention last summer and a parade Saturday to honor Major League Baseball's newest world championship team also may first witness the naming of a new American president tonight -- that is, if Democratic candidate Sen. John Kerry garners the needed 270 electoral majority at stake today as voters travel to the polls. Kerry and running mate Sen. John Edwards will make appearances in Boston's historic Copeley Square tonight as the election results are announced.
"Last year we won the Super Bowl, then we won the World Series, tomorrow we are going to win the election," Boston resident Bob Sennett said. "It's the trifecta."
Setup crews and independent contractors currently are working around the clock in Copeley Square building stages, communication lines and risers in preparation for tonight's activities.
Fifteen-year resident Bill Demontigny described the Bostonian atmosphere as incredible, especially after coming off the heels of a World Series victory.
"The mood is unbelievable," Demontigny said. "It couldn't be more exciting."
Demontigny, a Kerry supporter, said the election brings a chance for "a new beginning, a new future" for the nation. He added that he is not concerned about terrorist threats disrupting tomorrow's election events.
"I'm familiar with the Boston police," he said. "I wouldn't want to mess with them."
But Boston Police Officer John Blair said security for the event was not under his control, but rather in the hands of the federal Secret Service.
"They trump us," he said. "This is not like some carnival coming into town. They are handling security."
Blair would not say exactly what the police department would be doing in coordination with the Secret Service.
"We will work with state and local law officials to ensure a safe environment for our protectees," Secret Service spokesperson Tom Mazur said. Mazur declined to comment on specifics or the number of officers or agents present, citing operational concerns for the event.
Democratic supporters were in the clear majority of visibly vocal Bostonians as Republican supporters were virtually invisible. One man, donning a "Bush-Cheney 2004" T-shirt yelled "Kerry sucks!" at crews in Copeley Square. The man ran away before identifying himself.
The Massachusetts Republican Committee did not respond to several calls seeking comment for this story.
Boston-area students also have been politically active in the upcoming race. While some have volunteered or interned for campaigns, Harvard student Rebecca Leventhal has co-founded the "I Decide" campaign. "I Decide" focuses on getting students from non-contested states, such as Massachusetts, to contact three students in swing states and urge them to vote. Leventhal said the non-partisan campaign has targeted college students in Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and other states. The campaign held a rally in Cambridge yesterday.
"Students in uncontested states often feel as if they don't really have a say," she said. "We really want students in swing states to get out and vote. We really want to mobilize swing-state voters and for students in states like Massachusetts to realize that they do have a say in this democracy."
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