My caucus experience

[randr]

I have been extremely busy this week of would have posted this earlier.
Last Tuesday my wife and I went on down to our local districts primary to make our mark on history. Our first time in all our long lives. We live in a rural area of Western Colorado that is predominantly very conservative. Recent years have brought an increase of population of the more liberal variety. Our group this evening consisted of a wide range of ages and life experiences. A few hipsters, a larger number of elderly folk, who have likely attended every caucus of their lives, several newly transplanted couples, and even a seasoned military veteran or so. The record turnout of 38 souls was a surprise for all in attendance. Our district, it turns out is the largest in our county and we have the highest number of county delegates, all of 8, to send down for the county Democratic Convention later this month.
After selecting a chair and recorder for the meeting we got right into the first order of business: who of the two candidates would we select.
As the hands went up for Obama a hush filled the room. The eight folks who raised their hands for Hillary were somewhat shell shocked as were we all. My wife and I had thought we would be among the few to cast a ballot for Obama as a purely symbolic gesture. We were certainly surprised.
The meeting opened up for discussion and many people expressed the reasoning for their vote.
The majority of Obama voters mostly stated the need for a change in the whole political field. Most also said they had thought they would be voting for Hillary up to the last few weeks when they determined that Hillary would not be much of a change at all.
The few people that spoke on Hillary's behalf stated that they wanted to return to the 90's and the memory of the prosperity they felt back then.
All expressed a revulsion of the current administration and the urgent need to head in a new direction.
All also expressed a sense of relief in that we feel our future will be in safe hands with either Hillary or Obama as POTUS.
After conducting additional county politics we adjourned for the evening with a feeling of joy and community, having participated in a pure form of Democracy at this most important time in our history.
It is in this spirit I would hope all my fellow DUers would experience this time of our lives.

[IndyOp]

1. randr - Thanks for sharing your experience.

As much as I am wary of the caucus system it is great to hear when it works well.

:hi:

[DemReadingDU]

2. Thank you for sharing

Our primary in Ohio isn't until March 4th. Should be interesting

[countingbluecars]

3. I enjoyed reading

about your experience. Thanks for sharing.

[Hawkeye-X]

4. Thanks - hope you're staying bundled up.

Heard it's getting bad in the western part of our state.

Hawkeye-X

[randr]

8. Thanks

Weather broke yesterday and we are soon to move into mud season, I hope.

[Hawkeye-X]

12. Yup. Denver's already drying up from the last snowstorm

and slushy.. wheee. *splat*

[gateley]

5. Thank you for that wonderful story.

I've enjoyed reading the reports from around the states from those of you who participated.

The main theme is that there seems to be a sense of unity, regardless of candidate, between all the Dems.

I have faith we'll do our party proud in November.

[MadMaddie]

6. Randr I participated in the Washington state caucus for the first

time. I live on the Eastside of Seattle. We were in cafetaria designed to hold 753 people. I would estimate that we had 400-500 plus.

I was so excited to the see the number of people that showed up.

I met:
-An elderly Jewish woman around 80 years old, we chatted a bit and she told me she taught in Harlem as a school teacher, she was an abused wife and she has seen many things in her life. She was truely excited about the fact that a woman or a minority could be President of the United States.
-Another woman in her 60's who has participated in the political process from the time of Bobby Kennedy and she said she hasn't seen this kind of Democratic ferver for 40 years.
-Parents brought their teenagers
-College Kids
-Teachers
-All races, all ages, all ethnicities

We went through the same processes that you did and did our tallying.

It was the most amazing experience!! I hope for the remaining states that our fellow DU friends particpate.

[Sapphocrat]

7. This bothers me, a lot:

"My wife and I had thought we would be among the few to cast a ballot for Obama as a purely symbolic gesture."

This goes against everything I believe in: any vote as a "purely symbolic gesture."

[randr]

14. You obviously haven't been voting for Democrats for very long

I understand your concern and want you to know I do not consider my vote in the general election any less than a major event.

[Sapphocrat]

18. LOL!

I've been voting a straight Democratic ticket since 1980. Haven't even missed a single GE, midterm, or special election in more than 27 years. How 'bout you?

Not that your attempt to impugn my participation in the democratic process has anything to do with the fact it disturbs me that anyone would make a "symbolic" vote, especially during a primary season where every vote is absolutely crucial.

[randr]

21. Can't say I have been as diligent

Living in the belly of the beast here we have still won many battles. Mostly on the environmental front and not necessarily at the polls. Spend a lot of my time supporting the local community radio station and arguing with my red neck friends.
on edit: I have never missed a presidential vote. McCarthy got my first vote.

[Sapphocrat]

24. Here's an idea for killing two birds with one stone.

Get those wild-eyed nutcases out of Colorado Springs, on the basis that all those stone-the-gays-and-subjugate-the-women megachurches can't be doing any good for the environment. :think:

Fewer Radical Religious Reichists = a bluer electorate.

[randr]

26. Actually we like to keep them where we know where they are

The amount of military industry pollution, not to mention the mind pollution, in the Colorado Springs area will ultimately result in some interesting genetic variations at some point in our history.

[shireen]

9. thanks ... interesting to hear the caucus experience. nt

[cali]

10. thank you so much for the report

really enjoyed reading it.

:hi:

[Sarah Ibarruri]

11. Thanks so much for posting that.

This part of your post made me very happy:


All expressed a revulsion of the current administration and the urgent need to head in a new direction.
All also expressed a sense of relief in that we feel our future will be in safe hands with either Hillary or Obama as POTUS.

[Adelante]

13. Lovely

Thank you so much :)

[WillyT]

15. Thank You For The Report !!! - K & R !!!

:bounce::hi::bounce:

[rurallib]

16. Hope you 38 souls keep in touch and create a force in Colo

It is amazing how many people thought they were lone souls find many kindred spirits this year. Keep it together!

[randr]

19. Its a small community

I was really surprised that some of the people I have known were in fact Democrats

[rurallib]

22. I felt the same way about 5 years ago when I got so enraged

that we started speaking out and wearing shirts we made that said "WORST PRESIDENT EVER"
I was scared the first day I wore it out to eat. And I could not even eat because so many people were shaking my hand and slapping me on my back and wanting to talk. I was walking on air when we went home.

[yellerpup]

17. Thanks for the good picture of what is happening when Dems get together

We have had such a great field to chose from this year. Now that we are down to the final two, it is good to hear how people are drawing the distinction.

[GardeningGal]

20. I was watching the results come in

I was not surprised by Obama's result in Denver, but I was surprised by what I was seeing from the more rural areas. This has certainly been an interesting and somewhat unexpected primary season.

By the way....where is Crawford, CO?

[randr]

25. I guess I need to update my profile

I recently moved all the way to Hotchkiss, 10 miles from Crawford.
Crawford, Hotchkiss, and a the small town of Paonia comprise the noted Golden Triangle of Western development, as declared by a national business rag of note. We are located mid way from Aspen to Telluride as the crow flies, in a small valley microclimate of fruit, grape, and ranch lands, not to mention the coal and gas industries.

[GardeningGal]

29. You are in beautiful country my friend.

Many, many years ago I was on a backpack trip where we hiked the Redstone Ridge. Beyond words....

[randr]

30. Thanks

We do feel fortunate and hope all people who breathe would have the same experience.

[Yael]

23. I have really been enjoying these caucus stories!!

Thanks for sharing yours with us.

[stillcool]

27. this is the time of our lives...

thanks for posting. It sounds like a much more rewarding experience then just drawing a line between two dots.

[randr]

31. It is important to keep in mind that it is not

the destination but the experience of the journey that is the prize.

[stillcool]

33. I agree...

the experience is surreal. I have no idea what the future will bring, but what I'm witnessing...pictures, videos, articles...what a story! I love the internets...I would not have experienced it otherwise.

[eleny]

28. Hi from Lakewood!

It was great reading about your experience on the western slope.

[randr]

32. Hi back at ya

I enjoy your posts in the cooking group as well.