An aging white Mercedes rumbles up to the gates of the Sonoma County Fairgrounds and an angular man with brooding circles under his eyes emerges into sunshine. He hustles, two aides racing along beside him, past the Psychic Readers and the Drum Circle, around the Solar Energy Display and the Hemp Expo.
Some people turn and gawk.
Perhaps they recognize the famous consumer crusader. Ralph Nader is running late today, but this is because he is busy running as a Green Party candidate for president of the United States. Without a cell phone. Flying coach with his senior citizen discount. In a tight national race, a few percentage points in a few large states may decide who wins the White House.