While my colleagues in the South Dakota blogosphere were off listening to a pretend Senate candidate and fishing for her ad business, I went to hear a candidate who will actually be on your ballot next year.
Democratic candidate for Senate Rick Weiland kicked off his 100-town tour yesterday with a trip through familiar country, visiting Dell Rapids, Trent, Flandreau, Colman, and Wentworth before finishing the day in his hometown of Madison. He spoke to three dozen or so voters at Mochavino on Main Street.
Weiland delivered a heartfelt extemporaneous speech (expect nothing less: he's an alumnus of Madison HS debate from the Judy Kroll days). His daughter Taylor (to Rick's left) played the guitar this time.
Does Mike Rounds have boots that look this comfortable and well-worn? Some of the dust on them is from Trent, where he went door to door Tuesday noon.
Rick offered the mic to Rep. Scott Parsley (D-8/Madison), who like every good politician (not an oxymoron) knows you never turn down a chance to speak to a crowd. Scott vouched for Rick and mentioned that he's pretty sure he'll be on the ballot with Rick in 2014, running to keep his state House seat (woe unto the District 8 GOP!).
After speaking to the thirty-some audience, Rick spent well over another hour talking with voters, press, and even one troublesome blogger (whose interview is coming up shortly!). Rick even set out pie for everyone. (Hungry but anticipating trouble, I asked about "food for votes"; Rick said his pie is FEC-approved.) He said he'd eaten three pieces already Tuesday and was going for pizza pie with his family at Skipper's afterward.
Note the line from Whitman painted on Leah Keating's café wall. It comes from "Song of the Open Road":
From this hour I ordain myself loos’d of limits and imaginary lines,
Going where I list, my own master total and absolute,
Listening to others, considering well what they say,
Pausing, searching, receiving, contemplating,
Gently,but with undeniable will, divesting myself of the holds that would hold me.
I inhale great draughts of space,
The east and the west are mine, and the north and the south are mine.—Walt Whitman, "Song of the Open Road," Leaves of Grass, 1856
Not a bad verse for Rick Weiland to have in mind as he spends this summer driving around South Dakota listening, contemplating, and winning the hearts and minds of the electorate. Allons, Rick!
I hope people listen to Rick. Unlike some od the candidates he is no phony.
I've know Rick and his family most of my life and I know what great people they are and that they care for ALL people and not just a few.
Ah Skippers!!!! My wife and I try to go there whenever we get back to Madison. Love their shrimp pizza.
We were looking forward to stopping in at Mochavino alas life got in the way. I echo your sentiments on several fronts Owen, the Weiland's are great people and the food at Skipper's is awesome. 3 dozen fills Mochavino.:-)
I don't know about Skippers, but I love Walt Whitman. 'Leaves of Grass' is wonderful from cover to cover. It gives you wings!
Deb, I'll vouch for Skipper's. If you're in town for just one meal, go there.
And Whitman! Yes! If you like "Song of the Open Road," you might enjoy this blog post that I wrote six years ago after meeting a hitchhiker here on Highway 34:
http://madvilletimes.blogspot.com/2007/07/song-of-open-road-hums-through-madison.html
I might be wrong, but I can't picture Rounds in cowboy boots. The picture in my mind just can't follow that line.
Shake up your picture, Joan! Good comfy boots fit everybody, horse or no horse.
Rounds in wingtips with a fine-print insurance policy in hand. If Rounds gets the nomination, we will have a man of the people versus an insurance salesman.
The hiker/Whitman post was well-written. Thank you Cory.
Just last night I was driving home after dark on a rather busy, 4 lane street, when I noticed a bicyclist ahead of me. She had no lights, which is quite rare, and always unsafe. I was only 2 blocks from home and, after I had passed her, I remembered that I have a couple extra bike lights. I pulled into a small parking lot and turned so that she would pass right in front of me. As she came by I called out to her, saying, "Excuse me. Excuse me!" She just kept going. So I pulled out, slowed down beside her and called out that I had extra bike lights for her. No response, no acknowledgement. So I went home.
Rats. I suppose she felt unsafe, but it's too bad. I felt disappointed.