Some bad news coming out of the Neb. caucuses: Some areas are getting too chaotic and overwhelmed

[TeamJordan23]

I don't understand how the Democratic state parties are not prepared for such an event. There has been record turnout in nearly all states.

1:52 p.m.

The decision to have only one caucus site in all of Sarpy County appears to have been a bad one.

Reports are coming in that the caucus site in Papillion is overhwhelmed.

Thousands have turned up, when organized expected only several hundred.

They are still registering.

Traffic is backed up on Highway 370.

"All of Sarpy County is at this school and they've run out of registration forms," said Cindy Perich, of Papillion.

She had taken today off to caucus on behalf of Barack Obama. But, she left. It was too chaotic.

"It's totally unorganized. I'm totally disappointed with the (Nebraska) Democratic Party," said Perich.

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2835&u_sid=10254218

[Metric System]

1. Ugh, I hate caucuses! n/t

[liberalnurse]

6. It was never foreseen that the Caucus crowds would be

this big....since they NEVER have been in masses. Iowa has had time to accommodate and prepare, but this is Election Cycle is positively historical. New school history textbooks will need to be written.

[joshcryer]

8. Exactly, caucuses have been for an elite few, and they didn't expect people to treat them as if...

...they actually represented more people.

[Eric J in MN]

14. Other states this year should have given a hint to the Nebraska Democratic Party. NT

NT

[thunder rising]

2. In that case let the group outside, everybody over 18 counts. take the count

[jakem]

3. bad news for caucus organizers-

good news for democracy!

go voters!

[Pirate Smile]

4. The same thing happened in Kansas. They need more caucus locations.

They didn't plan for the massive turnout.

[hayu_lol]

7. Nothing like Ben Nelson's Nebraska...

I guess he was hoping no one would show up.

Aside from that, its a shame when the Party in any state lets the electorate down.

If more states would go for VOTE BY MAIL, then these unorganized routs would not happen. No one would have to go out into the cold. There would be plenty of parking and no traffic james. And, more importantly, no more untrained people attempting to cope with crowds.

[Eric J in MN]

16. Florida and Michigan should re-do their votes by mail,

...to minizmize additional costs.

[grantcart]

5. In Portland ME obama's appearance has brought down town traffic to

a stand still. Seattle crowds larger than the Supersonics

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4502302

I think it is safe to say we are watching a historical event that is overtaking the organization.

[SoxFan]

15. Well, to be fair

Obama's having a much better season than the Sonics!

[grantcart]

18. yeah they forgot to pay the witch doctor and get the mojo cult thing going

[SoxFan]

19. The witch doctor being Mr. Ray Allen

[Blue_In_AK]

9. That's exactly what happened here.

It was just nuts. 700 participants statewide in 2004, almost 9,000 this year. Even though the party was expecting a big increase, they didn't expect a HUGE increase. Everyone was blown away.

[stillcool]

10. Some amazing comments...

at the link. Jeez...there's something happening here!

[Blue State Bandit]

11. Sounds like a good day for Obama.

Overrun by crowds, caucus organizers at Monroe Middle School declared a state of emergency.

All attempts at traditional caucusing have been suspended.

People are now being asked to simple drop a blue piece of paper with their choice in a box.

And it doesn't look good for Hillary Clinton. People have to wait to drop into Barack Obama's box. The Clinton line is much shorter.

comment to link at OP


I guess Hillary got her wish, and strait up or down vote instead of a caucus.

[Kittycat]

12. I don't understand why they didn't have overflow locations, and traffic controls in place

as a back-up plan. I would think back-up planning for caucuses, especially in light of what's been occurring nationwide, would be the first thing they'd do.

But on the other side of things, let me just say how proud I am of our citizens for FINALLY stepping up to the plate to be counted - regardless of weather, traffic, crowds, etc.

[Eric J in MN]

13. When I voted in MN at a caucus, it was also too crowded.

They should have had more locations in Minnesota, too.

[Thrill]

17. This is pathetic. Just as bad as NM. What are there idiots running these states?

You see great turnout all around the country. What makes them think they aren't going to have huge turnouts. HELLO. Did you see Obama's rally the other day? I'm so pissed