If I told you that yesterday I saw a bunch of people with Obama signs and stickers, you might smile, but you wouldn't be particularly surprised. Sure, it's wonderful that people are so energized by this campaign, by a Democratic candidate, by all of the other things Barack Obama in some way stands for... but it's pretty commonplace nowadays.
If you checked my profile, you'd see that I'm currently attending the University of Wisconsin, which means I'm living in Madison. You won't be surprised when I tell you there is no shortage of support for Obama here.
What if, however, I told you I saw all those Obama stickers and signs and supporters was the town of Plain, WI: Population 791?
I'm a member of the University of Wisconsin Marching Band. It's a big deal in my life, and I've mentioned it in comments before.
One of the best opportunities afforded me as a member of the band is the chance to attend "gigs". People from around Wisconsin (and even as far away as Illinois!) hire us in varying numbers to perform at weddings, corporate functions, and in parades. Almost every weekend I go to at least two other towns or cities in Wisconsin and march the parade for whatever festival they're celebrating.
Whether it's Derby Days or Chocolate Fest or Rodeo Days, it's always a good time. The performing leaves me drained (and the driving there even more so), but we're paid a little money and sometimes fed and the people always greatly enjoy our performances.
As such, I get a glimpse into many areas of thisgreat state. Many of the towns we go to are very small and, as you might expect, quite conservative. In nearly every parade we see some float for the town's Republican Party. Two days ago, on Saturday, the band was unfortunately placed only a few spots in front of a man driving a tractor pulling a large sign that said "Abortion... stops a beating heart". Unfortunately, but because I was representing my band and my school, I refrained from telling that man exactly what I thought about his float.
Yesterday I arrived to Plain running a bit late, but still with plenty of time before the parade. It's a tiny town surrounded by farms about an hour northwest of Madison. The band was milling about on a hill, talking and throwing a few frisbees and footballs. I was talking to my friend when I noticed the people waiting for the parade behind him.
Me: Are those people holding... Barack Obama signs?
Him: Wow. Yeah.
Me: And they're supporting him? Not warning people about him?
Him: Seems so.
Me: Holy ****.
I had never seen anything of the sort before. There were probably 4 or 5 people carrying a banner and some signs and looking like they were having a great time. I almost asked where these people came from, but I'm shy and didn't really know what to say. I shrugged it off as probably Madison residents just doing a bit of advertising for Obama. Good to see, but not indicative of any major trend. I would've taken pictures had I had a camera, but marching and electronics don't mix well.
We did the parade and after a bit of waiting around, performed in their park for a few minutes so people could listen as they ate and dance. I do a mean chicken dance. And that's when I noticed something amazing: tons of these people had Obama stickers on. The adults, the kids, the grandparents. It might not have even been half of them, but it seemed like everywhere I looked there was a little round "Obama '08" smiling up at me.
I definitely smiled back.
Obama's making his way to small town America... and they're liking it!