Comments on: Barack for President: Caucusing in Washington

By: Keith’s Amusing Musings » Caucusing in Washington, Part 2

Keith’s Amusing Musings » Caucusing in Washington, Part 2 — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:17:53 +0000

[...] caucus as Obama delegate (he) and alternate (she) representing Precinct 2920. Compared to the precinct level caucusing we participated in back in February, the legislative district caucus was much more organized, procedural and drawn out. We arrived at [...]

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:29:31 +0000

I just wish the debate was separate from the process of actually voting. The current system just doesn’t scale in a world where people are actually participating in the political process. What I didn’t understand was that I could have left after I signed in – if I have to caucus again I will definitely take advantage of that fact. (One of the things they should have clarified rather than droning on about how cool caucuses are)

By: Keith

Keith — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 07:48:18 +0000

I like the human-to-human interaction caucusing provides vs. ballot casting. Sure, it’s disorganized and can be quite stressful but a couple hours every four years isn’t too bad a sacrifice to participate in a lively discussion with one’s neighbors regarding the political landscape.

The thing I enjoy most about our political process is the debate. People’s minds can change through open idea exchange. Witness the Undecided voters who got onboard during our precinct caucus.

By: Digitalleon

Digitalleon — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 06:46:03 +0000

We were in the same precinct as Char. So I can concur the overwhelming Obama support. However I had no interest in becoming a delegate – actually I found( http://digitalleon.com/blog/?p=91 ) the whole caucus process poorly organized and a general waste of my time. I feel a primary would have been a much more efficient use of my time. Especially with my 8 month pregnant wife with me.

By: Keith

Keith — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 17:11:19 +0000

Hey, Char. The overwhelming support Obama received from precincts like yours is obviously what propelled him to such a major victory in Washington overall. I hear he won every county in the state except one. That is an amazing feat considering how different WA voters are politically on opposite sides of the Cascade mountains.

By: Char

Char — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 06:04:45 +0000

Hey, Keith. Congrats on being elected as a precinct delegate. :party: As you already know, John and I also caucused today. In our precinct, 101 people voted to select 6 delegates. At first count, there were 74 of us in support of Obama, 24 for Clinton and three undecided. After a brief spell of good-natured discussion which I could not hear in such a loud and crowded place, we had a second and final count. The final tally was 77 for Obama, 23 for Clinton and 1 still undecided. With these results, Obama earns 5 delegates and Clinton gains 1. The selection of delegates and alternates was pretty quick and painless. Overall, it was a novel process that I feel privileged to be part of. I look forward to hearing your account of the district caucus in April. Obama for President!

Char