McCain is coming to town...TODAY.

Hoping to solidify his base here in La Plata County and beyond, CO, Senator John McCain is scheduled to arrive in Durango this afternoon to make a speech at the Durango High School Football Field at 5:00pm. He is apparently in the Denver area this morning and will travel by plane to Durango. Driving past the high school yesterday, the police/crowd barriers were already set up along the school driveway, stretching out along the road (550) headed south. Among the local Democrats, there appears little knowledge for how many people will actually attend, but there has been talk within the office that since this is the closest John McCain has been to his home state of Arizona and certainly the rural counties of New Mexico and Colorado, that the crowd could be comprised of a large number of out of state supporters.

Meanwhile, the Democratic office has been buzzing with activity and throughout the day people have come in wondering what the Obama 'response' will be. The answer, seemingly a hard rule within the campaign has been, "The Obama campaign does not engage in 'counter-rallies' and therefore nothing is planned to protest John McCain's arrival." And judging from the vigor with which the campaign staff have shared that message, it is true. However, just like yesterday, following the John Salazar and Mark Udall visit and gathering at the Durango Arts Center, a group of Democrats will be headed to the court house this afternoon to Early Vote, coinciding with John McCain's arrival. Not so much a counter-rally, but a show of strength and comittment to the Democratic cause.

While the Obama campaign is set against any negative protests, etc, independent groups seemed to be jazzed about letting John McCain know that they support Obama/Biden. A group of local veterans, and Obama supporters, will be gathering to voice their "un-support" of John McCain and it appears that some Obama supporters will be headed to the footbal field to voice their opinions.

It looks to be an interesting day on the political front.

Yesterday was more of the same, with the exception that everything from sun up to sun down was focused on John Salazar and Mark Udall. Salazar is an incombent member of the House of Representatives who is running for re-election and Mark Udall is a member of House of Representatives who is running to oust current Senator, Bob Schaffer (R). Democrats criticize Schaffer as a pawn of big oil, citing his huge bankroll from out of state interests. Both gentleman arrived at the Durango Arts Center for a small rally put together by the Democratic Party. Arriving in a bus blazoned with "Mark Udall for Senate" signage, the two men walked into the DAC in their own style. John Salazar, whose tag line is "send a farmer to Congress" arrived wearing his cowboy hat and cowboy boots, shaking hands and smiling ear to ear. Udall, dressed a little less "western" but still in a tradmark denim shirt said hello to volunteers as he entered the hall.

Their speeches were typical of local stump speeches, citing important Coloradan issues (water rights, the environment, infrastructure improvements, and local, honest, hard work), and thanking individuals and local politicians for their work. But, their messages also highlighted how important this election was, the most important since 1932, stated Salazar, and how Barack Obama represented the tide of change needed for uniting America.

The speeches reminded me how local politics is still. These two members of Congress, despite a small number of business-dress clad 'handlers', were speaking as locals. Both knew the local issues, knew the local politicians, and certainly didn't have that Washington D.C. "gloss" that we imagine or even see on TV. These two had passion and energy, but it was attached to their constituency and home, Colorado. It was a great reminder of Tip O'Neil's quote that "all politics is local." For these two, it certainly is.