President-Elect Bill Clinton

Tuesday, like millions of other people, I had a unique experience while waiting to vote: I stood in line. I can’t remember ever before having to wait very long for my turn, even if I went at the peak hours (on the way to or from work). I stood in line for quite awhile; everyone was quiet, calm and patient. No one complained.

While I’m delighted by the results of this election, and look forward to supporting and serving the Clinton/Gore Administration in any way I can, I am even more delighted by what I saw at the polls. I stood in line with African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, European-Americans and Asian-Americans. I was an American among other Americans, with a single, shared purpose--to exercise our right to vote. We may have wanted different things and had widely varying views, but we stood there and did it together, with grace.

Like millions of others, I have felt isolated and unconnected to the political system. But not Tuesday and not today. We’ve won the first battle in the fight to take the country back into our own hands.

CINDI HARTMAN

Los Angeles