politics

Politicians at the Minnesota State Fair have to brace themselves for anything. One minute a teen with the fervor of someone newborn to politics is gushing over your candidacy. Next minute a senior citizen is cornering you on whether you would ever support the sale of cluster bombs to Israel.

And then there are those folks who just want a photo with you as the backdrop.

Through it all, the fair stands as a mighty test of political ability, weeding out those who can field questions, work crowds, down corn dogs and mingle from the wallflowers who remain at their booths, unable to draw interest.

Many fairgoers are like Tom Arendt -- there to soak up the sights, eat fried things on a stick and let politics wait for another day.

A retiree from St. Paul, Arendt said he's voted "since the first time I was able to vote," and follows civic affairs.

But 16 months before an election?

"Give us a break," he pleaded. "I'm not that interested yet."

Others, like Brent and Sarah Ruter, see the fair as their chance to see candidates up close and unrehearsed, long before positions are locked down and speeches honed with micro-precision.

"I'm looking for someone who'll listen to everyone but follow their own judgment," Brent Ruter said.

"Someone who's confident and will get things done," added Sarah Ruter, using one hand to occupy 6-month-old Eddie. They're not sure who that will be yet, but Sarah said, "it can't be someone who just talks for talk's sake."

As they're doing for most days during the fair's 12-day run, DFL U.S. Senate candidates Al Franken and Mike Ciresi strutted their stuff, trying to convert fleeting contacts into lasting impressions.

A seasoned performer, Franken goofed for the cameras Tuesday as he did a weather segment on KSTP-TV, Channel 5.

Assuming a comic stance in front of a blank green wall (on television, weather images are superimposed), Franken informed viewers that "hail as big as watermelons" was heading for Marshall.

While the clowning might seem risky for someone eager to be taken seriously, it was a plus for Marlene Plager, who perched in front-row bleachers for the noon newscast.

"He's hilarious," she said. "I appreciate a sense of humor in a candidate."

Plager said that while she doesn't seek out candidates at the fair, "it makes it special if you actually see one in person."

Issues and sandwiches

In between discovering a newfound passion for Gizmos, an Italian meat sandwich, Ciresi was questioned on everything from the departure of U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to details of his position on the war.