Precinct Caucus

Today I went with my fiancé to my Democratic Party precinct caucus on Bainbridge Island in Washington State. It was held at Ordway Elementary School about a mile from my home. We drove to the caucus about ten minutes before the 1:00PM time for the doors to open. People were literally streaming toward the caucus. The parking lots were full and the small gymnasium was soon filled to the brim. The turnout was overwhelming with a palpable energy and enthusiasm in the room. I have never seen anything like it. There was no rancor between the Obama and Clinton factions, but rather, a shared enthusiasm for taking back the country from the duplicity, mendacity and craven politics of Bush, Cheney and Rove.

Upon entry to the precinct caucus everyone signed the sign-in sheets were they had to specify a favorite candidate or designate themselves as uncommitted. The directions were straightforward and once signed in we all awaited the first count. Our precinct selected 14 delegates to the County Democratic Convention. The first count gave 11 delegates to Obama, 2 to Clinton and 1 undecided.

A number a people rose to speak for a minute in support of their candidate. Everyone seems very well informed with a couple of glaring exceptions. There were several young people, who would turn 18 before the election and were eager to participate and vote.

Several of the themes I have mentioned in Political Itch were touched upon by the speakers. A young person said that it was time for the baby boomers to move aside.
Another said that they want hope and promise, not detailed plans for the government.

After the speeches and a new vote by the uncommitted participants, the final results gave Obama 12 delegates and Clinton 2 delegates. My fiancé was uncommitted, shifting to Clinton for the final vote. Our county convention is scheduled for April 12. I am proudly attending as an Obama delegate.

Overall Obama picked up 67% of the delegates in Washington State today. He won 69% in Nebraska. It will be interesting to see how the Clinton campaign spins these results. They are not weighted by early absentees who gave Clinton a big boost in California and other non-caucus states.