February 10, 2004

Waiting for the Governor

So this evening, around 5:45, I got a call from our friend T.D He said that Gov. Dean would be coming down to Landmark Lanes tonight. Seems that one of the Wisconsin field directors is a league bowler at Landmark, and the entourage was going to come down there to unwind and press the flesh following the last scheduled stop of the night, a rally at the Irish community hall on 22nd and Wisconsin Ave.

So, we did some research to figure out what time, and went down to the lanes at 7:30 or so. When we walked in there was a sign out front welcoming Dean, and the bartender, Sarah, commented on how odd it was to see us on a Tuesday, instead of a Friday. She then proudly told us that Dean was coming in. "That's why you're seeing us on a Tuesday" I told her.

We chatted for a while, and she boasted to anyone else who came within earshot that the Governor was coming.

Then a guy came up to the bar. "I'm sorry, Sarah, I just got a call and he won't be making it tonight. Thanks for all you did, though." Sarah was crestfallen.

I took the opportunity, though, to ask if T.D had told her about my trip to Iowa to campaign for Dean. She hadn't heard. As I wrote out the URL for my journal for her to take a look at it, she said "I usually vote republican: When I've voted their stand on the positions has more closely matched up with my own. But we have to get rid of Bush. I'll vote for anyone but Bush!"

So, we missed seeing the Governor, but we heard yet another Republican desert the fold. And I suspect that knowing that I support Dean will sway her to cast her vote our way.

Dean will be here for the next several days, at least. I figure I'll have plenty more chances to catch up with him.

Cheers,

-nic