The Time Hillary Clinton Signed My Alterra Coffee Card

Back in 2008, I was home on leave looking after my family's newborn son right in the middle of presidential campaigning season in Wisconsin.

At the time, I was a photojournalist for Racine's daily newspaper. I had to jealously watch from my living room as my fellow journalists scurried from site-to-site, documenting the parade of national candidates as they strode across the Dairy State in search of votes. This new dad had an important job to do at home, but in the back of my mind, I so badly wanted to be a part of the political happenings of the day.

I managed to make one appearance at a local rally, going to the Brat Stop in Kenosha to hear Hillary Clinton speak.

At the end of her speech, I squirmed my way to the front of the packed house to pose for a selfie or an autograph.

Then my cell phone died.
And I lost my sharpie.
And my piece of paper.

I dug through my wallet and retrieved my Alterra Coffee punch card (which TO THIS DAY still has only A FEW punches left to get a free coffee!) and asked Ms. Clinton to borrow a marker so she could sign it.

She agreed to sign it, and had the presence of mind to have a nearby spectator take a photo of the two of us. The fan and I worked out how to get the photo over to my e-mail account so I could save it.

I felt embarrassed. And lucky.

As the old saying goes, "all politics is local." People have an eagerness about them to see the person they are voting for - or against - in any given election. The chance to see someone you've only previously seen in the news gives you important insight about their personality and they way they carry themselves in public.

Taking an item home with you, whether it's a selfie, a bumper sticker (or an Alterra coffee card), gives you a little something extra to remember the experience by.

But don't just take my word for it, here a professional speak about presidenital politics in Wauwatosa in early May:

According to an article published by Wauwatosa NOW, a political memorabilia collector will provide a close-up view of how presidential campaigns have evolved over time.

At 7 p.m. May 10, the public is invited to hear Thomas Kitchen speak at the First Congregational Church, 1511 Church St. Kitchen, a Fond du Lac native, has a decade of experience appraising political items. He has collected buttons and other campaign items since his childhood in the 1960s. Community members are also welcome to bring political memorabilia for an appraisal.

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