Presumably, actress Natalie Portman is more accustomed to the red carpets and palm trees of Los Angeles than she is to the buttoned-up climate of the average political function.

Then again, the scene Sunday night at Kenadee's, 725 N. Milwaukee St., was anything but buttoned up.

The soundtrack to "Garden State," Portman's latest film, played out over a green-lit scene packed with approximately 200 college students and young professionals.

Those of age sipped Bacardi Silver or rum and Cokes, and all appeared to be discussing the 23-year-old's film roles, from Queen Amidala in the "Star Wars" prequels to the president's daughter in "Mars Attacks!"

Portman was in Milwaukee on behalf of Wisconsin Victory 2004. The campaign is a joint effort for Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry (Mass.) and incumbent Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.), according to spokeswoman and Marquette alumna Leah Frank.

Portman's arrival was preceded by a short speech from state Sen.-elect Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee), who spoke about the Take Five Campaign.

The campaign urges women ages 18 to 35 — a demographic not known for their propensity to vote — to take five friends to the polls with them on Election Day.

"Take Five was created because 22 million of us stayed home" in the 2000 election, Taylor said.

"Florida wouldn't even have counted," she said. "Florida wouldn't even have mattered if (the women who did not vote) had gone out to vote."

When Portman took to the small platform in a brown John Kerry T-shirt and gray slacks, the applause was long and loud.

"I have never been to this state before," Portman told the enthusiastic crowd, "and I've been enjoying the food and the people and the sights."

Portman's speech ended up being short, but to the point.

"We're the ones who are going to be affected by Bush's terrible environmental policy," she said. "We're going to be the ones who graduate without health coverage. We're the ones who are going into this terrible job market."

At one point, a fan in the audience yelled "Tell us about Episode III!" referring to Portman's role in the upcoming installment of the "Star Wars" films.

Portman laughed and said, "This is about Kerry."

For about a half hour after her speech, Portman smiled for the blue-white flashes of digital cameras and camera phones.

She also signed Kerry posters, movie stills of herself and at least one copy of "Where the Heart Is," her 2000 film with Ashley Judd.

An official with the Republican Party said he was not aware of whether any Hollywood talent would be stumping for the Republicans.

Colleen Burke, a sophomore in the college of Arts & Sciences, said she enjoyed herself at the event.

"I think everybody was excited to be there," Burke said.