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February 9, 2008 at 11:35 pm #586368
JoBParticipantI am just back from our caucus at Denny Middle school and have to report the same results .. our undecideds also went for Obama.. and we ended up with 3 Obama delgates and one Clinton.
In spite of the way things went, i can’t feel bad. There was great passionate conversation with many of my neighbors speaking from their hearts.
We had young people and a fair number of boomers… and everything in between. Of about 300 possible adults in the neighborhood, 56 turned out.
An interesting day!
February 9, 2008 at 11:54 pm #615075
JackMemberThe Caucus: It was fantastic! We had 25 people in our precinct show up. Everyone took their turn to speak about who they wanted to be candidate. At the end the 5 delegates were split up with 4 to Obama and 1 to Clinton. Our caucus was held at the Highland Park elementary school and each precinct looked as if it had more than the next. This is my 3rd caucus I have been to in WA and this has been, by far, the most energizing and exciting one. I look forward to the national evening news to hear what they have to say about our state. I think that more of us went out to caucus than ever before.
February 10, 2008 at 12:01 am #615076
katydidMemberOur precinct at Denny School went 78% Obama and 12% Clinton. I didn’t stay to see how they split the delegates. One funny thing, I accidentally went to the Republican caucus 1st ‘cuz I went in the back door and there were lots of people…when somebody behind me in line commented about all the Republicans, I thought he was joking. When he repeated it, I said: “Don’t scare me!” Then I looked outside and saw some definitely Republican signs. Trying to maintain my dignity and look cool, I slunk off to the Democratic caucus. Duh? LOL all the way. It must be my half-heimers kicking in.
February 10, 2008 at 1:09 am #615077
JoBParticipantkatydid… i wish i had known where the republicans were. the nice man in line behind me going in was flabbergasted to find himself among democrats. i didn’t know where to send him. i think they finally found someone who knew tho…
February 10, 2008 at 2:48 am #615078
BobLoblawParticipantAmazing turnout at High Point. I estimated 350 folks and their various dependents in the gym. Wonderful conversation and a lot of excitement over our two candidates.
February 10, 2008 at 9:36 am #615079
FreeRangeAuthorParticipantJoB, the 34th District R precincts were just down the hill from Denny School at the Community Center (Pool) – we had about 3 Dems who got lost and wandered in. We let them know to ask up at Denny.
GOP results …
King County totals
State GOP totals
February 10, 2008 at 12:57 pm #615080
littlebrowndogParticipantI went to my first caucus ever, the Democratic one at Madison Middle School. Our “little” group had 61 people in it! We ended up 37 for Obama, 22 for Clinton and 2 uncommitted. During the full group meeting preceding breaking into the small groups, it was asked how many of us were there for the first time, and there was a huge raising of hands. Clearly the candidates and issues are motivating participation by many more people than usual. I wanted my vote to mean something, not just be the “window dressing” of the primary vote, so I knew I had to get out there to caucus. I am actually an Independent, but for the presidential race I happily declared myself Democrat.
February 10, 2008 at 3:45 pm #615081
SueParticipantI really appreciate all these reports throughout the site on the caucus. I’ve never been to a caucus, and sadly I didn’t get to this one either because of a class I had to attend out of town this weekend. I’ll definitely avoid scheduling over it next time (this time was unavoidable and class took priority).
February 10, 2008 at 3:56 pm #615082
FranciParticipantI am curious and little dismayed that the only way to vote in a primary election for President, as a democrat, is to attend a caucus. This prevents many people from having a voice for many reasons. I personally know several people who had to be at work during the caucuses.
Is there a process for counting absentee votes?
February 10, 2008 at 4:16 pm #615083
JoBParticipantFranci, i don’t think so… and like you, i wasn’t so keen on the caucus idea… but after participating (my first one) i think it makes
sense.
Those who choose the presidential candidate are those who care deeply enough about it to take the afternoon… they meet one another and if mine was any indication.. have lively and meaningful conversation. It was intensely personal.
And i would venture to guess.. those are the people who will actually be willing to do some work for the campaign. i have always liked the concept in committee work that those who show up to do the work get to decide how it’s done.
I volunteered to work in my precinct to get the vote out… something i have done before.. but not for a whole precinct, so i guess it worked with me.
We have to remember, primaries are party politics… not regular national elections.
I am not sure why our state is holding one… tho it is a good shakedown for problems in the election process.
Maybe someone else has more info?
February 10, 2008 at 4:44 pm #615084
KenParticipantFranci:
No :)
Not really. There is a form that can be used for those deployed in the military or permanently disabled, or cannot participate due to religious observance.
Each state party chooses the date and time. I think WA dems chose a day that conflicts with the fewest number of potential voters.
Some states have their caucus on a weekday evening, some on Sunday.
What many do not realize is that this is the democracy the founding fathers knew. The secret ballot was not even suggested until the early 19th century. It was introduced as “the australian style ballot” several decades before it was adopted slowly, first in local and later in state and national.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_ballot#Chronology_of_introduction
The constitution makes no mention of ballot secrecy.
While I advocate a national holiday for the General election, the caucuses and primaries are party functions (at least the caucus is) and the idea that the state should enable a party function has it’s own flaws.
The primary is a result of the initiative process in WA as altered by the State supreme court, and is a waste of 9.2 million dollars this year.
As noted here in various posts, the caucus was scheduled at lunchtime (doors opened at noon) and many people in my precinct took lunch, came by and signed in then returned to work. There were also nearly a dozen who came in covered with little kids or pushing them in strollers. They too signed in and then left. A 10-20 min process in my precinct, but not in all. Some PCO’s were not prepared and some precincts did not have a PCO. Those may not have had the foresight to grab tables and layout the sign in forms and have a secretary and tally clerk already designated. It was still somewhat chaotic due to the record participation rates.
The more people who join in the process, and get involved in their chosen party, the smoother the process can go for the rest.
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