Cluster-Cus
Wow - what a night!
Being our first Caucus, we had no idea what to expect. Apparently this year there were more folks showing up to Caucus than there'd been - well - ever in some precincts. We heard folks saying they hadn't seen a turnout like this since the 70's, but I haven't seen any hard data on numbers.
It was CROWDED, though.
It was interesting, it was a chance to see democracy in action (resolutions posted, seconded and voted on) but it was quite a bore for the kids. Both brought books, but Max was more than ready to go. Hannah loved being in what will be her new Jr. High - it was a thrill for her.
Oddly, we didn't get to caucus for our senate picks - delegates just signed up and they'll vote for that in March. I still feel rather confused about that - how do I make my own voice heard? I would have preferred a straight up and down vote, to be honest.
It also felt odd to be voting - caucusing - with such a large group of only Democrats. Back in NJ the polling place is where EVERYONE votes, regardless of their affiliation, not that there's a lot of chatting about who one is voting for going on...
The lines, though - good heavens! It was like waiting to get through security at the airport, or waiting in line at an amusement park. Or the returns desk at Target after Christmas.
The group was a bit in awe of itself. We each felt so powerful, and at the same time we were each such a tiny part of a bigger thing.
After we'd heard the results of our own precinct (Richardson - 1, Kucinich - 2, Edwards - 3, Clinton - 86, Obama - 249) Gerry, the kids and I drove around until we found a place where Gerry could get a piece of birthday cake and some Irish coffee (it was all he really wanted - and Fabulous Faye's delivered!) and we all had a had drink and a dessert.
Waking up this morning was HARD!
Being our first Caucus, we had no idea what to expect. Apparently this year there were more folks showing up to Caucus than there'd been - well - ever in some precincts. We heard folks saying they hadn't seen a turnout like this since the 70's, but I haven't seen any hard data on numbers.
It was CROWDED, though.
It was interesting, it was a chance to see democracy in action (resolutions posted, seconded and voted on) but it was quite a bore for the kids. Both brought books, but Max was more than ready to go. Hannah loved being in what will be her new Jr. High - it was a thrill for her.
Oddly, we didn't get to caucus for our senate picks - delegates just signed up and they'll vote for that in March. I still feel rather confused about that - how do I make my own voice heard? I would have preferred a straight up and down vote, to be honest.
It also felt odd to be voting - caucusing - with such a large group of only Democrats. Back in NJ the polling place is where EVERYONE votes, regardless of their affiliation, not that there's a lot of chatting about who one is voting for going on...
The lines, though - good heavens! It was like waiting to get through security at the airport, or waiting in line at an amusement park. Or the returns desk at Target after Christmas.The group was a bit in awe of itself. We each felt so powerful, and at the same time we were each such a tiny part of a bigger thing.
After we'd heard the results of our own precinct (Richardson - 1, Kucinich - 2, Edwards - 3, Clinton - 86, Obama - 249) Gerry, the kids and I drove around until we found a place where Gerry could get a piece of birthday cake and some Irish coffee (it was all he really wanted - and Fabulous Faye's delivered!) and we all had a had drink and a dessert.
Waking up this morning was HARD!
Feed me, baby!
7 Comments:
Congratulations on your first caucus. It's stunning to see democracy at work at this level, isn't it? We caucused for the first time last night, too, after waiting in traffic for 2 hours to get to the school. (There was only one site for the entire city, but 4 years ago only 700 democrats showed up, so I guess they didn't realize that they should have added at least 2 more sites this year.) We had to park half a mile away, walk through the subzero darkness, then find our way through the 7,000+ crowd. But it was worth it.
Last night was my first caucus as well. It was very exciting and both my husband and I signed up to be delegates for the senatoral canidates. It was complete chaos and I think that affected the normal caucusing forum.
My excitement for the day was taking my 18 year old to vote for the first time. Pretty thrilling!
Usually caucusing is not so crazy (says the person who spent 2+ hours directing pedestrian traffic in her precinct location).
As to the Senate race, if the group chose, they could have sub-caucused and elected the delegates to the next level based on the number of people for each candidate. It rarely rarely happens though at the precinct caucus level.
lydia kept asking "when are you going to the carcass?"
I swear caucuses are designed to prevent everyone but the extroverted and neurotypical from participating. I'm glad we have the nice, quiet and quick primaries here.
I just wanted to say Welcome to Pittsburgh! I'm headed to the festival tomorrow, though I am not taking any classes, and I hope that you have a great time.
(Psst - I'm one of your testers for the Sideways Spencer, but...I'm only on the cuff.)
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