Candidates change, but not their campaign stops

By Holly Ramer

Associated Press

Published: Sunday, Nov. 6 2011 3:01 a.m. MST

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In this photo taken June 14, 2011, Republican presidential candidate, former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney poses with servers at Mary Ann's Diner during a campaign stop in Derry, N.H. The eatery, decorated in 50's & 60's decor, is a must-visit campaign stop for presidential candidates campaigning in New Hampshire.

Charles Krupa, Associated Press

Summary

The staff at Mary Ann's Diner in Concord has seen it all from the presidential candidates.

CONCORD, N.H. — The staff at Mary Ann's Diner in Concord has seen it all from the presidential candidates.

So have the folks at the Wells Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor in Le Mars, Iowa, and the Beacon Drive-In in Spartanburg, S.C.

Those are just some of the must-not-miss stops for candidates as they campaign through early voting states.

Some venues like 1950s-style diners provide wholesome, all-American backdrops for photos. A gun shop in New Hampshire, for example, quickly telegraphs a candidate's position on issues important to their party's base.

Events such as parades, fairs and festivals allow the candidates to play to large crowds at a safe distance.

While such stops do give voters an up-close encounter with the candidates, in-depth conversations are rare.

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