It is something which can be an interesting experience. Will it bring you more insight with regards to the candidate in question? No, but that should not be a deterrent. Political appearances by candidates tend to be organized events, in which the candidate delivers a stump speech that he or she has given dozens of times at other locations. If you are a political junkie you likely would have already heard bits of the speech before. That said, the benefit of attending is not so much to hear the candidate, but rather to spend time together with others that share your views and opinions.

Another residual benefit of going to such events is having the opportunity of getting a picture with a person that could hold high office someday. I have attended five such events, two on your side of the border, three on mine. On two of those occasions I was fortunate enough to have my picture taken with the then candidates. As a result, I have two pictures in my home office that are good conversation starters. One with former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and another with former Mexican President Vicente Fox.

On a side note, Ken Miller is an interesting man, he has a lot of ideas which your state could benefit from.

No I worked in midtown Manhattan and seen everyone you could think of including Nixon. They would stop and talk to you if you wanted so it's no big deal to hear them give a prepared speech.

I never have but would love to do it. I especially wanted to go see President Obama when he spoke in Springfield, IL when he was running for president. Springfield is only about 40 minutes away from where I live and I think it would have been fun to have been able to say that I saw him. My son went to the speech. He said I wouldn't have been able to handle it anyway as it was shoulder to shoulder people, hot and crazy. If I had been in better health, I sure would have given it a try. :-)

I've considered it before, but never actually gone ahead and attended. I have attended their parties with free food and alcohol though. ;-) I went to high school with someone who was running for office once, and I wanted to attend to see how they would do. That's probably the closest I've been to ever showing up. I imagine it would be an interesting experience, especially if the media shows up as well. I'll likely end up going to see someone at some point or another.

If my significant other wanted to hear a candidate speak, that might just be the motivation I need to actually go and see someone. However, that hasn't happened yet.

oh absolutely! i live in a tiny town that is the capital of the state, so every presidential election all the big names come to town. ive seen sarah palin, hilary & bill clinton, george bush, and obama. its always fun to see how full of s**t they are. as far as local elections, as i said its a small town, so most of them everyone knows personally already, but i go to those too.