Bemidji, MN, Feb. 5, 2012 -- Why would Santorum come here?? It's all about sweater vests. Apparently, Santorum wanted a quintessentially American manufacturer to produce sweater vests with Santorum emblems for his campaign. They would be given to big donors to wear proudly. Bill Batchelder of the Bemidji Woolen Mills saw his chance to make some money while supporting a more-than-acceptable conservative candidate. Probably a half-dozen men sported the grey vests with the red and blue lettering (done by a local t-shirt message shop) at the St. Phillip's Catholic Church pancake breakfast, at the Woolen Mills, the Paul and Babe statue on the waterfront and at the Sanford Events Center, where Santorum gave a talk to about 650 people.
Ron Paul supporters and the anti-Santorum protesters generally didn't communicate with each other. I overheard a couple of people while standing around in the Woolen Mills talk about sending someone outside to "straighten out those people."
There were no surprises, but it reminded me of of how the Catholic vote has changed over the years. I was in high school when Jack Kennedy ran for president. The Catholics I remember from that time were the socially concerned, labor union-supporting people. I think they went over to Reagan in the 80s and now they're some of the most conservative voters around. Not sure if the Church has changed, the candidates, the public or something else.
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