Madison once again finds itself in the political spotlight as President Barack Obama holds a rally downtown on Monday, November 5, the final day of his reelection campaign. Adding to the spectacle is an appearance by Bruce Springsteen, who will be joining the president on stage for a performance. Given the scale and timing of the event, the city was buzzing throughout the weekend, as campaign volunteers, security staff, and reporters prepared for the big day.
The Obama rally was first announced last Thursday morning, and followed only a few hours later with word of Springsteen's participation. Buzz about the visit, the president's second in a month, started immediately, and built over the following three days.
City staff issued plans to close streets in advance of and during the rally, campaign workers and security personnel organized the stage set-up and access plans for the the event, and reporters both in and visiting Madison started covering the spectacle.
Here's the scene over the weekend, as observed by its participants.
