For more photos, click gallery, above.
Well, we were curious, so we just thought we'd ask.
Madison's Favorite Neighborhood
1. Wil-Mar (Williamson Street / Marquette)
Madisonians love where they live. The concept of a neighborhood can be as circumscribed as a single street ("Jenifer Street") and as encompassing as an entire direction on the compass ("East side, baby!")
Madison's Favorite Neighborhood Stereotype
1. Dirty hippies populate the near east side / Williamson area
2. Brand-loving status-seekers populate the near-west-side Monroe / Hilldale area
3. Everyone who lives downtown lives in a condo
Responders to this question certainly pointed out Madison's lowest-minded, knee-jerkiest pigeonholes, but often didn't attach them to a specific neighborhood. When specified, slurs broke down in predictable east/west fashion. The most stereotype-free side of town is the north side, which has managed to propagate only a spurious reputation for being home to excellent ice-fishers.
Who Should Be the Next Governor of Wisconsin?
2. Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton
This was a close one, which suggests it's anybody's race to win. In addition to Doyle, Lawton and Feingold, popular possibles included Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, lawyer Ed Garvey, Rep. Mark Pocan, County Exec Kathleen Falk, Mayor Dave and Brewers slugger Ryan Braun.
Public Official to Whom You'd Actually Give a Donation
3. Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz
There was little doubt in this category. It's Russ, Russ, Russ all the way.
Overrated Public Official
1. Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz
3. Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk
Look on the bright side. If you're "overrated," you must be rated pretty well to begin with. Pretty much everybody got some votes - even Russ Feingold (only two!), which squares with another frequent sentiment: "They're all overrated."
Madison Needs a Ringtone. What Should It Be?
1. (Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding
2. Three Little Birds - Bob Marley
3. You're So Vain - Carly Simon
While technically football faves "On Wisconsin" and "Jump Around" got the most votes, we felt that these were more appropriate ringtones for Wisconsin, rather than Madison per se. (Also, no one really wants to hear the "Jump Around" noise coming out of a phone.) So we start with the thoughtful remembrance of soul great Otis Redding, who died en route to a Madison gig in 1967. Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" (a.k.a. "Every little thing gonna be all right") seems to sum Madison's vibe up pretty well. As for our vanity, well, we always did think that song was about us.