October 31, 1992, was a cold and blustery day across Wisconsin. Light snow flurries swirled through the air as many thousands stood for hours at the old train depot in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The presidential campaign was winding down that year, and even though President George Bush campaigned with David McCullough’s latest book, “Truman,” in his hand while reminding voters that he, too, could win the election as Harry did in 1948, the polls indicated the opposite. In later news accounts and books, readers would learn that on that frigid day in Wisconsin, President Bush was told his fate by his internal pollsters. Still, there were campaign stops to make, and Bush traveled Wisconsin by train while working overtime to make his Truman moment come true.
A Republican friend of mine at the Capitol secured tickets for my mom and dad, along with most of my immediate family, including nieces and nephews who wanted to attend what turned out to be the most incredible campaign rally I have ever witnessed. We arrived very early, which let us stand at the front near the podium and gave the young ones in my family a moment they will never forget. I have been lucky to be up front at many of these election moments over the years, but nothing compares to the sights and sounds of President Bush (41) arriving on the train to greet the people. As a lover of history, this moment made time seem to move backward as the loud engine and sharp whistle brought a President to that little depot. I had at times wondered if my folks thought my involvement in politics was worth the time and energy which I had put into it. But that day as I watched their faces I had my answer. This had impressed them!
At about 5:00 P.M., the lonesome sound of the train drifted in from the distance, and the crowd exploded with cheers. As the big locomotive brought the long line of train cars into the depot, the President and his family waved, ready to embrace the folks who were friendly despite the national mood. Mom put her arm around my midsection, leaned in, and said, “This is just so special.”
The crowd was highly partisan, as it should be, for such an occasion. I was mesmerized by the historical, grand moment this old-fashioned campaign rally had created. Nothing will ever surpass that event.
While my nephew Troy Curtis Humphrey and I had actually shaken hands with both President Bush and First Lady Barbara in Waukesha that summer at another rally at the rope line up front (where Bush was also talking of winning like Truman), we were not so lucky in Plover. But it didn’t matter, as we all walked away after that wonderful afternoon to find a small restaurant to eat and thaw out for a while. We had all witnessed something that will be left in the history books, and nostalgic memories for those who lived through the 1948 campaign and saw the train used in national campaigns.
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