Obama table in Madison: July 28 Edition

[zulchzulu]

It was a beautiful sunny day with lots of people from all over the globe walking along and choosing from all kinds of locally grown, baked, crafted and political flavors. The Obama table is one feature to many at what the New York Times mentioned "The Dane County Farmers' Market in Wisconsin is now recognized as the largest in the nation, and is still growing."

After setting up the table at about 8am, a woman sitting next to where we were said she had seen Obama this past week in New Hampshire. She and her family vacation in a town there and heard that he was going to speak. Although it was a deluge of rain and the event had to be moved to a large tent, it was a huge crowd lasting with his speech and about an hour of questions. They all got ice cream cones and it was "very inspirational" to see him with the dedicated crowd.

What a great way to start the day.

As the morning went along, there was a steady stream of friendly people coming over to talk the issues and latest news, sign up, ask about volunteering and get buttons, bumperstickers and information. We ran out of all of our stuff by 11am, but still stayed to get people to sign up.

Of course, there were a few people who came out of their way to try to talk about why "democrats don't support the troops", why "Obama must be really a muslim", why "all politicians are corrupt" and the usual nonsense from Limbaugh-fueled minds. Usually, we just ignore them and they walk off talking to themselves.

Someone who was doing a documentary about Farmers Market political tables came by and we were interviewed about why we were there. I told the filmmaker that I'd like a copy when he's done and I'll post it on YouTube.

As the day came to a close, a Freeper decided to show up as we were packing things up. He kept asking "what nationality Obama is?" He said the the name Obama is so close to Osama that it "just scares him". "Why doesn't he jus admit he's a Muslim?", he asked.

After a long day in the sun, I had just about enough of this guy. I told him that Obama is American and a Christian. The guy asked me to prove it. I then just told him that the Republicans are going to get their butts kicked in 2008. He then asked me what nationality Obama was again... we just grabbed our stuff and walked away.

I pondered why these Freeper types are always alone, bitter and cynical. The next time, I plan on ignoring them altogether. It's not worth it trying to explain to them that they are brainwashed.

[Ethelk2044]

1. I am glad you stood up to him.

[benny05]

2. Sounds like you did your best

To support your candidate.

I'm surprised you had that encounter. I was in Madison a couple of weeks ago and hardly saw a Freeper anywhere.

[zulchzulu]

6. Once you leave Madison, you enter an entirely different political World

A lot of the sprawl outside of Madison is from people who had to "escape" the progressive city... in 2004, it got REAL ugly during the election when I was doing a table for Kerry. Screaming little four-year-olds foaming at the mouth crying "flip flop, flip flop" while beaming dads from nearby Sun Prairie look proudly on.

There are Freepers around. Usually, they have a beer gut, closely cropped hair, a moustache, GAP dressed and a certain sneer in their face. If they have companionship, the mate looks equally as creepy. I can spot them a mile away.

[Dawgs]

3. If, "Obama is a Muslim" is all they got, then that's a good sign.

Such a blatant lie makes them look petty, desperate, and stupid.

[illinoisprogressive]

4. thanks. I always look forward to your Madison table posts.

[Ethelk2044]

5. I do too.

[zulchzulu]

7. Next weekend, I'll be doing Obama stuff in Dubuque, Iowa

It should be fascinating. Obama is planning on being at one of the venues and there will probably be people working for other candidates there.

[Ethelk2044]

8. Let us know what happens. I always enjoy hearing about your day.

[zulchzulu]

13. I enjoy sharing the experience...

I've been videotaping and doing photos and will have something as a review when the time comes. These are exciting times.

[Kingstree]

9. Freeper = Idiot

[zulchzulu]

10. Calling this guy an idiot insinuates that he has a brain or can effort a thought

This guy was an automaton...probably still living with Mom and has her doing his laundry for his security guard job at the mall, where he might get fired soon for trying to pick up high school girls who work at the Pizza Hut..

There was good reason why the pathetic Hannityhead was alone.

[unkachuck]

11. the repugs don't run on rational issues....

....they'd lose, so they run on fear and our emotions....it's hard enough to get the Dems to discuss real issues....

....if Obama gets the nomination every repug ad will be loaded with subliminal themes like,

"Obama must be really a muslim" and elect Obama and it will be 'open season' on white women....

....every white male who lives south of Kankakee will find his white knee jerking and a strong urge to vote republic....

"The next time, I plan on ignoring them altogether."....Obama can't, he's going to have to take this shit head-on....it'll be interesting to see how he finesses it....

[zulchzulu]

12. I forgot to mention about the comments on the YouTube debate

Everyone who came to the table thought most people did well ( a few comments about Gravel being a little too tin-foil for their taste) and an overwhelming view that Obama did well with defending his comment about meeting foreign leaders. A few people thought his answer was absolutely correct...there were a number of people who thought Clinton overstepped... again, no Clinton supporters came by or commented. Whatever...