McMahon Takes Measure of Main Street

Republican Candidate for Senate Linda McMahon walked Main Street Wednesday afternoon with members of the town's Republican party.

"It's part of my education about the state, and the people who live here, " McMahon said just before an aborted launch of the work that was to have begun at O'Rourke's except that it closed minutes before the entourage arrived.

McMahon proved curious and affable throughout the walking tour, greeting nearly everyone she met, many of whom recognized her from the TV commercials her campaign has broadcast over the past few months.

The group then drove to Amato's where they viewed the vintage model train display, then walked to Pedal Power, where she discussed the manufacture of bicycles in China, and to Central News where proprietor Billy Sbona told McMahon he was tired of what he perceived as mandates being handed down by Congressional Democrats, including House leader Nancy Pelosi.

"What bothers me is the things being rammed down our throats," Sbona said.

McMahon also stopped into the Middlesex Fruitery where she found out that the faultering economy had an ongoing negative effect on a business that has been around for three generations.

At First and Last, McMahon got a tour of the revolving pizza oven before greeting patrons.

At least two of the people that McMahon greeted challenged her to a wrestling match.

She met an amateur beekeeper in Tschudin's Chocolates and accepted an engraved bottle of top-shelf whiskey (which, by dint of campaign rules, she paid for) at Forest City Liquors, where she recounted her years before she and her husband had made their fortune and were forced to buy baby formula and TV dinners with S&H Green Stamps.

Earlier in the day, Mayor Sebastian Giuliano, who accompanied McMahon on her tour of Main Street, endorsed McMahon's candidacy.  It must be noted that McMahon contributed $500 to Giuliano's mayoral campaign last year.

One final observation, and whether this reflects on the Republican party, McMahon's tour guides, the candidate herself, or mere coincidence, the people she spoke with on her journey were exclusively white, and gainfully employed.  While the entourage passed several people of color, no introductions were proffered, nor greetings made.