Retrospective

The weeks of rumors and speculation were set to rest Saturday evening when neither Hillary Clinton nor Barack Obama appeared in person at the Third District Democratic Dinner held at The Eagles Nest Event Center in Columbia City.

As the possibility of the Democratic grappling for the presidential nomination drew closer to the annual banquet, many wondered if either candidate or another public figure might appear before the large crowd of assembled Democrats.

The rumors are a potential reason that attendance at the event was much higher than normal -- with well over 300 in attendance Saturday evening to hear from several Democratic candidates, including Michael Montagano who is running for Congress and Jill Long Thompson who is seeking the Governor's seat. It was one of the largest crowds I've ever seen at The Eagle's Nest, actually.

Additionally, a new rumor began circulating early Saturday and could be heard in whispers Saturday evening at the dinner regarding the possiblity that someone from the Clinton campaign might be visiting Whitley County on Monday. The exact source of that rumor was unclear -- and it varied like the message heard on a can and string phone you may have played with as a child.

As the dinner progressed and the vague reference to someone speaking on behalf of the presidential candidates appeared in the evening's program, more than a few people wondered if something big might happen during the event. A few people kept at eye on the door or out the window, wondering who might walk in as the evening went on. Each car driving by could, theoretically, hold Bill Clinton, Chelsea, Hillary or, perhaps, Barack Obama.

It was conceivable...the Third District is heavily populated, campaigning activities had been going on not far away on Saturday and it would have been a good opportunity to see a lot of Democratic voters in one place at one time.

Joe Hogsett's announcement that Bill Clinton would be visiting Decatur on Monday seemed to put the rumor of a Monday visit to Whitley County to rest and when no one appeared by the end of the dinner, it was clear that a major candidate's visit had all been rumor and speculation -- and a bit of the magic Hoosiers are experiencing for the first time as major political candidates are not only making token visits to our state -- but popping up on a weekly basis to capture attention and, they hope, votes at the May primary.

So, will the next rumor of a major political candidate or their famous family member's plans to tromp through out county come true? Who really knows for sure -- and it sure is fun watching and wondering!