Retail politics in Wisconsin

Remember Iowa in early January? Kerry's doing debate prep in Wisconsin and here's what he's up to during his study breaks, according to the Note:

MT. HOREB, WI, Sept. 27 — As the Packers' kickoff neared in Wisconsin, a familiar scene set inside Mt. Horeb's Main Street Pub.

Twenty-five locals gathered along one long bar, some lunching on the "best burger in town" and perhaps testing the $1 "crappy beer of the day" before settling on one of four taps or a favorite of the 18 bottled beer selections.

But as the beloved Packers fell behind a charging Indianapolis Colts offense, a bigger thing happened to the small rural town.

Senator John F. Kerry's 16-vehicle motorcade, led by a pair of motorcycles and including a chase ambulance, rumbled off Highway 18 West/Highway 151 South's exit 69, coming to rest in the center of the town of 5,860 potential battleground voters.

As the Senator entered the pub filled with Packer flags, tributes to a refurbished Lambeau, a laser disc jukebox, and enticing advertisements for Friday night karaoke "with the doctor after the fish fry," senior Kerry adviser David Morehouse called out to an overly protective national trip director, "Setti, stay back!"

Kerry bellied up to the bar just in time for the Packers to tie the game at seven. Amidst a howling crowd and scores of high fives, John Sasso pitched among the screams, "John Kerry — good luck for the Packers!"

The Democratic nominee ordered a cheeseburger "with everything" which, according to the menu, set him back $3.25, although he could have opted for the $3.95 Packer Backer or the $3.25 summer sausage.

Hoisting a 10-ounce Leinenkugel ("The Legend of the Northwoods") from tap, Kerry bought a round and took in the first quarter on a television set not far from a curious sign reading, "After listening to your every word with much attention and thorough consideration, one question remains: what's your point?"

Outside, on Main Street itself, word spread through town and a large crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of the presidential contender. Supportive chants of "time for a change" were mixed in with less patient comments such as, "Come on, John, finish your burger."

One young man dipped his head out of his second story window directly above the pub and, Miller Lite in hand, shouted Packers score updates to the eager crowd who cheered or groaned accordingly.

At one point, the young man challenged, "If Kerry can tell me the Packers score, he's got my vote."

Thirty-six minutes after his arrival, Kerry left the Main Street Pub and walked three doors down to Schubert's Old Fashioned Cafe Bakery...

...As the Senator approached the open door of his idling motorcade, the young man above the pub called out from above, "What's the Packers score?"

Kerry, cupping his ear, squinted as he stared into the bright sun, and mouthed, "What?"

The young man repeated his plea, "What's the Packers score?"

Without missing a beat, Kerry relayed the score as he had last known it in the Main Street Pub. The young man nodded in concurrence, gave a thumbs-up, and confirmed, "You got my vote."

The adventure returned Kerry to the retail politics once commonplace in the fight for the Democratic nomination months ago.

Though none of the Madison local stations ran the Mt. Horeb footage, each station featured lead or second-story pieces on Kerry's visit.

Perhaps more importantly, however, free from the bonds of a podium or timed schedule, Kerry again looked like an engaged candidate, eager for a vote-by-vote contest, if necessary.