Neither response is appropriate.
Dylan went to great lengths to distance himself from that hippie/leftist crowd you were once part of. His last folkie "protest" album was recorded way back in 1963 (before our involvment in the Vietnam War), but unfortunately that (very short) period of his career is what he's most known for. When the leftists tried to turn him into one of their gods he abruptly changed course (in 1965), went electric, and started playing straight-ahead apolitical rock and roll. The commies labeled him "Judus," but Bob didn't care, and was only too happy to disassociate himself from those fools.
He's been mostly apolitical ever since, even through several stylistic (and religious) changes.
I think much of his best music has been since then.
Dylan is a legend, but the legend was captured by the left-wing, years and years ago, even though they booed him as a "sell-out" as early as 1966.
"Now I'm a liberal up to a degree
I want everybody to be free
But if you think I'll let Barry Goldwater
Move in next door and marry my daughter,
You must think I'm crazy.
I wouldn't do it for all the farms in Cuba.
From the Album:
Another Side of Bob Dylan
He definitely towers over Cat Stevens. Or even Donovan.
Says you. At 20 years old I was a young republican who enjoyed folk music (that's my hippie days). Bob Dylan was my idol. At 20, you don't have a whole lot of restraint when it comes to stuff like meeting your idol for the first time unexpectedly in a coffee shop (course, YOU might, but some of the rest of us don't). Bob Dylan actually was smiling when it happened cuz, frankly, I was cute.
As for hitting him with my purse, these are the lyrics he played on election night.
Come you masters of war. You that build all the guns. You that build the death planes. You that build the big bombs. You that hide behind walls. You that hide behind desks. I just want you to know. I can see through your masks ... Like Judas of old. You lie and deceive. A world war can be won ...
Now, it can be argued that he meant ALL the politicians. But I would disagree having been a fan for nearly 40 years.