Update: Obama in Madison Thursday at noon

[undeterred]

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama will rally Wisconsin supporters in Madison on Thursday.

The free event will be held at noon on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. at Main Street on the Capitol Square, rain or shine.

The 100 block of Main Street will be closed beginning Wednesday night, with all other road closures -- including at least the inner loop of the Capitol Square and southern half of the outer loop -- will be closed early Thursday. Sidewalks will remain open for foot traffic to businesses.

Eastbound Metro buses likely will be rerouted to Johnson Street after closures around the Square take effect. Westbound buses likely will remain unaffected. City officials said they would try to accommodate early morning traffic, but the event's entire street plan could change depending on security needs of the Secret Service.

Those driving to the event should be mindful of street closures when seeking parking. Suggested parking ramps include the Capitol Square North Ramp, at 218 E. Mifflin St., and the Overture Center Ramp, at 318 W. Mifflin St.

There will be a drop-off point for handicapped persons, but location hasn't been set yet. Vendors follow the campaign around, but city staff said a council resolution would be required to sell manufactured goods on the can't.

The Obama camp had always planned such a rally. But as polls began to suggest that the Democrat was opening a wide lead in the state, there was a period of reconsideration -- especially after the Republican National Committee decided earlier this week to stop advertising on Wisconsin television stations.

But the decision Thursday of the McCain campaign to remain on the airwaves in Wisconsin -- with Republican back-up via direct mail and robo calls -- tipped the balance toward a visit.

This will be Obama's third major visit to Madison, a city where he once practiced law a bit, as a presidential contender. He appeared at Monona Terrace last October and at the Kohl Center for a huge rally before the February Democratic primary in which he won 58 percent of the vote.

John Nichols/staff — 10/17/2008 6:10 pm

http://www.madison.com/tct/mad/topstories/310018

[AllyCat]

1. My only day off this week! My oldest son will be thrilled.

He's not even 3, but he can recognize "Obama" on any yard sign, web page, bumper sticker, or hand written. Today we did a lit drop in our reddish neighborhood with a friend and her little kids. By the end of the day, the other young boy was saying "Obama" every time we passed a yard sign. Did not see one McSame sign and only talked to one person out of 15 or so that didn't want literature because they were voting for the guy.

[ewagner]

2. Aaaaarrrgghhhhhh!

I'll be in Middleton for a full day meeting.....:grr:

[AllyCat]

3. Only 10 minutes away. Sounds like a long lunch break to me

[Lefta Dissenter]

5. yeah,

cuz I'm sure parking will be a snap! :)

(Hi AllyCat! :hi: You missed a good clinic this weekend!)

[AllyCat]

7. Oh, what was the clinic???

I actually rode my horse this weekend. Lame on Sat...vet here on Sunday...voila! Horse fixed herself.

Parking is really going to be awful, you're right. I will probably park at work and walk over. You going? My mom is stoked. She lives in IL so he doesn't go around there much. Oldest son is really excited to see the man who's on all the yard signs.

[Lefta Dissenter]

8. She's been healed!!!

Isn't it funny that all it takes is a vet bill to fix the horse? Not the actual vet - just the bill. JJ Tate was at HEC. C had a couple of really great rides.

ANYWAY, we're going to try to go to see Obama on Thursday, but we have to play it a bit by ear. C thought she'd ride her bike, so we might park at her place (near-west) and bike in from there with her. When Kerry was here in 04, I took the bus. WOW, that was easy compared to trying to find a place to park. Then after the rally (and a couple of beers at a local spot), the bus-ride back out was such fun - city bus packed to the gills with excited, enthused Democrats - as though it had been hired just for us (though it was a normal work-day route).

:grouphug: :party: :grouphug: :party: :grouphug: :party: :grouphug: :party:

[Connonym]

4. I have to see if I can get someone to switch schedules at work with me!

[sab3rX]

6. Woo...one last chance to shake his hands

It was insanely difficult to get near the front during the Kohl center rally. But this time, my entire day is open so I should be able to get close and shake his hands! :)

[AllyCat]

9. Rats! It's cancelled. Obama's grandmother is ill and he's flying to HI

Hope she is okay.