Political parties slow Friday afternoon

A story in Saturday’s paper, “Political Parties Slow Friday Afternoon,” should have said Ron Paul is a Republican presidential candidate.

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If the 2008 presidential primary were held solely at the Orange County Fair over the last week, we’d be looking at a November fight between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Rudy Giuliani.

Oh, and Libertarian Ron Paul.

Folks from each party man booths at the fair annually, but political volunteers said Friday the buzz this year is about who looks good for president in 2008.

“Everybody’s wondering if people are ready for a woman or if they’re ready for a black [president],” said Peg Marshall, who was working the Orange County Democrats’ table. “And, of course, they’re wondering if Al Gore’s going to run.”

A straw poll at Marshall’s table showed Clinton in the lead, but some people had misgivings even while casting their ballots, she said. “As they put it in they say, ‘We don’t know if a woman has a chance.’ ”

Aliso Viejo voter Earl Deyoe, who stopped to rest in a chair by the Democrats’ station, said he doesn’t like the Democratic front-runners — Clinton and Barack Obama — but he doesn’t think his favorite, John Edwards, will be the party’s nominee.

He’s convinced, though, the next president will be a Democrat because, he said, “the Republicans, they’re in trouble.”

Across the aisle was the Libertarian booth, where Allen Caldwell watched vigilantly for interested voters.

“I’ve had a lot of people coming by, a lot of angry people,” he said. “They’re not very happy with the two status-quo parties.”

Democrats are upset Congress, even with their party in the majority, hasn’t ended the Iraq war as promised, while Republicans don’t like all the government spending, Caldwell said. Luckily, he’s got an answer for everyone: “We’re against the war and the spending,” he said.

Caldwell seems to have done the best of the three parties Friday afternoon. He registered three people to vote, versus two at the Democrats’ table and just one for the GOP.

But during the first week of the fair, dozens of people cast votes for GOP presidential candidates by placing colored stickers on a poster by the man of their choice.

Giuliani was unquestionably leading with more than 200 stickers, with Mitt Romney at about 100 votes. John McCain and his roughly 70 stickers were barely clinging to third place, with Tom Tancredo and undeclared candidate Fred Thompson snapping at his heels with about 60 votes each.

Interestingly, Libertarian candidate Ron Paul was included on the GOP straw poll.

“There are many people that feel he’s the only true Republican,” said Dorothy Wedel, who was about to finish her shift at the GOP table. She’s waiting to decide who she’ll support, but she has one firm criterion.

“I want whoever can beat Hillary.”

On balance, the Democrats may have had the best freebie. They offered nonpartisan lollipops, compared with the Republicans’ paper fan declaring the bearer is a “fan” of GOP Congressman Ed Royce, or a Libertarian button stating “Taxation is legalized theft.”

It was a bit slow at the political tables mid-day Friday, but everyone expected things to pick up. After all, they were in a cool building and it was awfully hot outside.

Wedel, a resident of the county since 1954, said it’s unusual that only one person registered to vote at the GOP table during the first shift Friday.

“For Orange County, it’s the most apathetic interest I’ve ever seen in the Republican party,” Wedel said, adding thoughtfully, “Of course, I’ve only been here since 11:30 in the morning.”

TO DO:

ALL-ALASKAN RACING PIGS

Enjoy one of the most popular and comical features of the fair when the racing pigs come tumbling out of the starting gate. Races happen every two hours from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m.

The pig races are under a tent in the livestock area.

CIRCUS FUN

Kids and adults are welcome to watch the balancing acts, comedy and magic tricks of the Russell Brothers Circus. Kids who want to get in on the act can audition a half-hour before the two showings of the Let’s Play Circus.

Russell Brothers Circus shows are at 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. The Let’s Play Circus goes on at noon and 6 p.m. The tent is on Ralph’s Family Fair Way near the Green Gate.

HYPNOTIST MARK YUZUIK

Grab a chair early for Mark Yuzuik’s act. The hypnotist is an annual draw at the fair, with some enjoying his show so much they go to every performance. Yuzuik performs at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on the Main Mall stage.