Just as the football season is coming to an end with today's Super Bowl, the political season is heating up, and Bemidji is receiving some extra attention this weekend because of it.
GOP?presidential candidate Rick Santorum will visit Bemidji today, stopping in at Bemidji Woolen Mills and Cool Threads, where his signature blue sweater vests are being made and embroidered, having pancakes at St. Philip's Catholic Church, having his photo taken in front of Paul and Babe and addressing a rally at the Sanford Center.
A rally for GOP?candidate Ron Paul also is planned for 6 p.m. Monday at the Hampton Inn &?Suites in Bemidji.
The Santorum visit undoubtedly will put Bemidji in the national media spotlight for at least a moment, and that's a good thing.
On a day that usually is highlighted by snacks, drinks, wagers, clever commercials and football, it also will be a good reminder of our right to take part in the political process. It precedes by two days the Minnesota precinct caucuses, which usually are sparsely attended by party enthusiasts. Perhaps this year more people will be inspired to participate.
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It's easy to by cynical about a political system that seems broken, and certainly is deeply polarized. But sitting on the sidelines shouldn't be an option. That should be left to the clipboard-carrying backup quarterbacks in today's big game.
