Caucusing is Cool
Last month I had no idea what a caucus was and linked to a critique of the ones in Iowa. Today I experienced it firsthand and rather liked it.
The plan was for me to go alone while the kids stayed home with Robin, but after reading that kids were welcome, I suggested he come with me. If the kids acted up, one of us could take them outside so the other could continue to participate.
I was determined to get to the church where the caucus was held right at 1pm or a few minutes earlier, which we did. I made the mistake of bringing the double stroller with us. I thought it would give the kids a place to sit if there happened to be lots of standing. The building was so packed that I nearly knocked over a few walking canes with the stroller, so I parked it in a hall and carried G so I wouldn't lose her in the swarm.
We signed in and were directed to "the choir room" that held our precinct. Since we were early we found seats, but by the time all eighty people were in the room, it was standing room only. I chatted with a mom who lives on our block and we vowed to finally get the kids together to play.
After about five minutes Harrison asked, "So when will the president be here?" I wasn't sure he'd make it the whole time, but there were about ten other young kids there so I was in good company. He got very wiggly about twenty minutes into the reading of the rules, but once he started flirting with a ten-year-old girl, I knew we'd be fine. She had braces, so he was immediately attracted.
After the rules were read the floor was opened up for commenting. There were an equal number of pro-Clinton and pro-Obama comments even though the tally at the end was 2-to-1 for Obama. Almost twenty people spoke. I was mesmerized.
One woman asked which candidate would do more to deal with climate change, another asked about health care. Clinton came out ahead for both of these, according to the comments. She came out ahead for pretty much all the issue matters. These folks had an understanding of her plans and promoted her expertise on the issues.
The comments for Obama were more emotional and centered on change and inspiration. A couple college students talked about being inspired and moved to action. The older supporters spoke compellingly about his ability to win the election and bring people together. No one was swayed to the Clinton side, but a few undecideds were swayed to Obama.
The discussion was fascinating to me. Here I was sitting with my closest neighbors, listening to them passionately air their opinions. I could have sat there all day, but right as the leader was reading the final tally Gigi started fussing LOUDLY so I tripped my way through the crowd and out the door and strained to hear from the hall.
I thanked the woman who worked for the EPA for her Clinton comments. Robin thanked and shook hands with the man who gave the most moving speech for Obama. We both felt really good about being there and taking part. I know absentee ballots are easier and probably more accurate, but I have to say I appreciated being forced to have the physical experience. It was a family moment, it was a neighborly moment, it was a community moment. I can't wait to see what happens next.
The plan was for me to go alone while the kids stayed home with Robin, but after reading that kids were welcome, I suggested he come with me. If the kids acted up, one of us could take them outside so the other could continue to participate.
I was determined to get to the church where the caucus was held right at 1pm or a few minutes earlier, which we did. I made the mistake of bringing the double stroller with us. I thought it would give the kids a place to sit if there happened to be lots of standing. The building was so packed that I nearly knocked over a few walking canes with the stroller, so I parked it in a hall and carried G so I wouldn't lose her in the swarm.
We signed in and were directed to "the choir room" that held our precinct. Since we were early we found seats, but by the time all eighty people were in the room, it was standing room only. I chatted with a mom who lives on our block and we vowed to finally get the kids together to play.
After about five minutes Harrison asked, "So when will the president be here?" I wasn't sure he'd make it the whole time, but there were about ten other young kids there so I was in good company. He got very wiggly about twenty minutes into the reading of the rules, but once he started flirting with a ten-year-old girl, I knew we'd be fine. She had braces, so he was immediately attracted.
After the rules were read the floor was opened up for commenting. There were an equal number of pro-Clinton and pro-Obama comments even though the tally at the end was 2-to-1 for Obama. Almost twenty people spoke. I was mesmerized.
One woman asked which candidate would do more to deal with climate change, another asked about health care. Clinton came out ahead for both of these, according to the comments. She came out ahead for pretty much all the issue matters. These folks had an understanding of her plans and promoted her expertise on the issues.
The comments for Obama were more emotional and centered on change and inspiration. A couple college students talked about being inspired and moved to action. The older supporters spoke compellingly about his ability to win the election and bring people together. No one was swayed to the Clinton side, but a few undecideds were swayed to Obama.
The discussion was fascinating to me. Here I was sitting with my closest neighbors, listening to them passionately air their opinions. I could have sat there all day, but right as the leader was reading the final tally Gigi started fussing LOUDLY so I tripped my way through the crowd and out the door and strained to hear from the hall.
I thanked the woman who worked for the EPA for her Clinton comments. Robin thanked and shook hands with the man who gave the most moving speech for Obama. We both felt really good about being there and taking part. I know absentee ballots are easier and probably more accurate, but I have to say I appreciated being forced to have the physical experience. It was a family moment, it was a neighborly moment, it was a community moment. I can't wait to see what happens next.
posted by Anne at 9:04 PM
3 Comments:
I'm glad you guys got to go! It sounds like yours was more enjoyable than ours. It was a mess and the guy who led our precinct really didn't know much about what he was doing. He grabbed a sheet and literally read stuff from the sheet and he wasn't the best speaker or reader. It kind of sucked. It was... unfortunately uninspiring.
Out of our five delegates 3 went to Obama, 1 to Clinton, and 1 undecided. There wasn't much talking but I did listen in on a few people as to why they went with Obama. In all it was a good experience but boy... they could use some real technology!
It felt like it was run the same today that it was thirty years ago :)
Yeah, our leaders didn't beam with expertise about the process, but they did fine. Enough attendees had done caucuses before that they could give help when needed.
As someone who still plans her life on a paper calendar I didn't blink at the lack of technology. But I suppose it would make sense to have a device to do the notetaking and tallying.
Hey Ang,
Way to GOOOOO!
It was a family affair for us too. And we were one of "those people" who were directed to the wrong school, and had to speed like demons to make it to the right place, on time. We were late, but they took pity on us and allowed us to sign in (they had broken the rules by starting early, I guess). Our 2 votes, cinched it for Obama, which was exciting, with 3 delegates to him and 2 to Hillary. It was an absolute packed house at Fill Hill Jr Hi (as was the was
1st school we went to, as well). What an exciting day! (I laughed at what Harrison asked you....Holly asked me "when will we see Obama, Mommy?")
Cheers to the Democratic process for all it's flaws, it's still better than nothing.
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