Did you caucus this weekend?

If you did we would love to hear what you thought of the process. If you didn't we would love to hear what kept you away.

~Ed

Comments

[Noelle]

I did caucus. Unfortunately, I had other plans and left before it got interesting. I was decided upon entry and felt strongly about my choice.

I loved it though. I loved seeing people out voicing their opinions and getting engaged in the political process. In retrospect, I kind of wish I had stayed. I have at least three friends who are delegates now! :-)

[Susanna]

I've been a political junkie all my life (one of my earliest memories is of Ronald Regan winning in 1980-- and crying four years later when he won reelection). I majored in politics in undergrad. I worked in D.C. But the caucus (my first) was the most real, democratic experience I've ever had. It was a high that lasted all weekend. Our society has lost the forum for the real exchange of ideas that we once had. This opportunity to argue and share with my neighbors met some elemental longing for community within me. I LOVED it. Just as I loathe the thought of all-mail voting (trading human experience for turn out), I thrived in this environment.

Best of all? I'm a delegate (along with half my friends and co-workers, it seems) so I get to do this again! And to all the cynics who say that only "party activists" come to these things, it looks like that old bit of conventional wisdom just flew away.

[Karianne Stinson]

I also went to my caucus and it was my first time. Coming from Oregon, which does a primary and is all vote-by-mail, it was a vastly different political experience for me. I have always enjoyed politics, but I have never been involved with such politically minded folks as I am now with friends I've met mostly through Seattle Works. I find it fascinating and I love how most everyone I know went to their caucus! I also know many that are delegates, including myself. I applaud the Democratic Party for keeping the caucuses as the way to assign the delegates in Washington. It puts the heart and soul in the democratic process and puts faces on the votes of our nation.

[Tara]

I liken my personal experience with the Caucus to the old saying about the month of March - in like a lion, out like a lamb.

The Lion - First, I am just plain ANGRY with the fact that the Democratic Party’s primary does not award delegates when the vast majority of voters are unaware of this fact. Sure, the info has been in the papers, but when the King County Elections office sends you a ballot in the mail, it's entirely reasonable for a person to assume that a vote cast using that ballot translates into something valid. If the Democrats want to only utilize a caucus, that’s their business. But it needs to be made abundantly clear to citizens how the process works. I am convinced that many people did not participate in the caucuses because they believed that the primary was a true means of expressing voter intent. Grrrrr.

Already with a chip on my shoulder, I came into my precinct especially irked when it was so difficult for people entering the caucus site to understand where they were supposed to go or what to do. It was hot and crowded and no one knew what was going on. Many people were caucusing for the first time, an exciting opportunity to engage new people! Where were the written instructions, where was the easy to find info table, where were greeters or someone to welcome people? I am a pretty confident and social person, but I felt uncomfortable and lost when I first arrived, it was halfway tempting to leave. Despite the record participation, a relatively skimpy portion of eligible voters participate in caucuses. No wonder! People don’t like to show up for things they don’t understand, no one wants to feel stupid and it’s hard not to feel like you don’t know what you’re doing when you walk into a caucus site.

And then what was one of the first things they did when the announcements started – ask for money! Jeez people, as a professional fundraiser I found it to be pretty bad form.

The Lamb – and then we got going and it hit me that the people who were organizing my caucus site were all volunteers who had put in a ton of hard work and were doing the best they could with limited resources. Sure I think I could have done a better job organizing the caucus, but did I offer to help? No I did not. And yes, once I my precinct got going I even pitched in a small contribution when the envelope came around. My neighbors (none of whom I had every met) are a bunch of friendly and community-minded people who all have hope in our country and want to create change, regardless of who they caucused for. In the end, I was charmed and very happy I went.

[Susanna]

@ Tara

As a colleague in the fundraising world, I, too, was appalled by the Ask. Worse still, I helped put together the packets for the PCOs at the state party HQ and when I saw that plan, I'm pretty sure my jaw hit the ground. They were so proud of themselves with the witty "Give $100 to stop the war..." approach. Um, no. My PCO blew off the pitch, clearly uncomfortable with the tast. People only gave after they noticed a neighboring precinct-- "HEY! They have LOTS of money!"-- and the competitive instinct kicked in. I gave my feedback at my legislative district meeting. The Ask felt like we were paying to vote and that was ICKY.

Glad you ended up having fun!

[MarkN]

The caucus in the U-District was chaotic at first, but ultimately I think it went well.

At first, three precincts were directed to one classroom but people quickly got the idea that stuffing several hundred people into one room was not good. After that was straightened out, we had several spirited speeches; real live grassroots democracy in action with neighbors getting together trying to make sense of the process. I think everybody that stayed through the whole thing felt like something good actually happened. It really was empowering.

[Phillip Eppright]

On September 10th, 2001 I had one of the most amazing birthdays I have even had. I, like all of us, woke up to chaos and a new world view. Regardless of political affiliation, religion, spirituality, race or philosophy, nearly 3 million Americans felt connection, fear, anger and to some level, vengence. Much of the world felt a connection with us too. It was in some ways, amazing though sad. You could not help but feel it, in spite of lack of personal feeling for society at large. Last weekend, going to the state Caucus was the first time that I felt something as powerful. It would take a long essay to explain the impact of that day, but I will say that it was as impactful as that gray day 7 years ago. My cell phone was buzzing all day and it was all about Barack Obama. There is an energy that he has brought to this country that goes way beyond the election. That is why I am voting for him, and that is why I have done much more that, once again, has nothing to do with politics. Peace to everyone and search you soul...then do what you think is right.