Saturday was the first time that I’d ever attended a Democratic caucus here in Washington State. Considering that I’m 35, I’m a little embarrassed by that fact.
Anyways, I went this time. The 46th Precinct met at the Jane Adams School, which is across the street from Nathan Hale High School.
I’d been told about caucuses over the years, and for some reason, I always figured they were a bit like a convention, where tables were set up with freebies to help sway our vote.
This is why I did not buy a cup of coffee, or eat ahead of time. I thought there would be coffee and doughnuts, at the minimum. Nope. Nothing.
So, sans coffee and doughnuts, Kerri and I sat and listened quietly as at least a dozen people got up and spoke as coherently as they were capable of for either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. One man said he was for John Edwards.
Our favorite speaker was an older gentleman (possibly from Greece?) who brought two of his daughters, both in their early 20s. Saying he supported Clinton, he explained that is “my dream to see a woman in the White House before I die.” Then he went over to his daughters (who had big time stars in their eyes) and gave them each a high-five.
In all, 94 people from our district attended in our group. The map below shows the boundaries of the district, which is but a portion of the 46th Legislative Precinct.
I thought I’d recognize more people, but I only recognized one person. He lives in a split level just behind our neighbors, and his house has a mossy roof. You can’t see him in this photo, but you should know that the guy standing (the elected precinct captain) was for Edwards.
So anyway, after the first round of votes were tallied, Obama had 70 votes, Clinton 19, and Edwards 1. Three people remained uncommitted, and somehow John McCain (America’s favorite crazy right wing grandpa!) received a single vote.
At this point, people were allowed to switch their vote, or become committed to a particular candidate if they wished. I’m not sure what happened, because this is when we got up and left. (We voted for Obama, and had no plans on changing our votes. Though if Dennis Kucinich had come walking through that door with cupcakes …)
Overall, a good time was had by all.
Woo-hoo! We’re caucusing!
3 Comments
February 9, 2008 at 8:50 pm
scariest photo EVER of us. apparently caucusing turns us into demons.
February 10, 2008 at 9:05 pm
so, elc, you were actually registered to caucus at 308 east republican (i checked because i was registered there). And if you would have gone, you could have had hot coffee, doughnut holes, soda and all the bottled QFC water your heart desired. you could have also witnessed the most disorganized caucus mess i have ever seen run by our capitol hill capable senior citizens.
February 10, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Doughnuts … dammit!
I had to fill out new paperwork and everything when I went to the caucus. But it was really easy to re-register. That’s cause Democracy is seamless here in Lake City.
I’d heard the East Republican caucus was poorly ran. But that’s the problem with Capitol Hill. Lots of hipsters, but no follow-through.
We should all get together a declare Capitol Hill a federal district, thus revoking your presidential delegates. It’s for the best.