Tell us about your caucus or primary experience!
So, we know the Democratic caucuses in Kansas were well attended--and in some cases, that sent people home. In some cases, it put them in very long lines in spitting rain and sleet. And, in all cases, it sounds like the spaces were generally too small. Our Missouri members also participated in a primary election that was contested in both parties.
What problems to have! Participation in the process is at the heart of what the MAINstream Coalition is all about.
Beyond the physical inconveniences, what did it feel like to caucus? What did you see? How did you feel about participating in democracy with your neighbors? What were you feeling if you couldn't get in? What was most exciting to you?
And, if you voted in a primary, we want to hear from you about your experience voting.
So, come on, take a minute to tell us about your caucus or primary experience.
posted by MAIN*blogger @ 8:59 PM
9 Comments:
I was with my son and his friends, all seniors at Shawnee Mission East, at the Asbury Church. And yes, the caucus organizers underestimated the sheer numbers of people who wanted to caucus and the whole thing was poorly organize. And let's not even discuss the weather. Yet the excitement in the air was palpable, and I am thrilled that my son and his friends are engaged in our political process, that they are behind a candidate (Obama, of course) who, to them, embodies inspiration and hope.
I stood in line for 1-1/2 hours, rained on and cold, but, talked with some delightful people, saw several I knew but couldn't reach them (fortunately they were well behind me), found chaos and confusion inside, but the passion and commitment made everything OK. However, I hope that that passion and commitment will translate to the November election (youth has disappointed us in times past), whoever (whomever) is the nominee. The danger of re-electing the current administration is real - and all of us must be prepared to forestall such a tragedy.
I raced home from work to take part. My wife had decided to participate also (We are both in our 70's). We hit a traffic jam when we tried to turn from Antioch onto 87th street, and the Unitarian church was still far away. My wife gave up, but she dropped me off. I went and stood in line in cold weather and spitting rain and snow for two hours, until, shaking like a leaf and fearful I would be sick I called her to come get me and started walking in the direction should would come. I was cold, upset, sad, and angry that I was disenfranchised by the lack of a better way to register my vote.
Richard Olson
I went with two women friends to Blue Valley district school and couldn't believe the long lines. Turned out the longest one was the one we were in-- consisting of registered republicans changing to democrats. Think they expected about 500 people and it turned out there were closer to 2500. It was exciting to be with people of all ages, races and sexes there for a common cause.
It seems my experience was similar to those already posted. I was extremely excited by the enthusiasm and youth at the caucus. I was also EXTREMELY disappointed by the poor planning even with the excessive turnout. I believe the superb turnout is being used as an excuse for poor planning in general. It WAS NOT a caucus experience either, just a primary in caucus clothes.
If our local leaders can't think on the fly and learn how to adjust, what gives us confidence that our larger leaders can?
We were 5 Seniors for Obama who car pooled to Asbury Methodist Church. 90 minutes after standing in cold, freezing rain, we entered the church basement where chaos prevailed. We heard, "Obama voters here; Clinton voters over there." Where was "here" where was "there?" We couldn't see the speaker. Were we upset? No, just glad we'd survived the caucus.
I was home making soup when I noticed that it had gotten late. I threw on my boots and drove over to Leawood Middle school. I had to park about a mile away and walking as fast as I could,I heard just as I walked up to the long line outside, "It is 7PM. The caucus is closed. You must have been in line at 7 pm to enter the caucus. Luckily, he was looking the other way and I slid into line where I waited another 1/2 hour. I realized that I had not turned the soup off and called a neighbor to go over to my house and shut it off so I could stay.
I got the last form to register (yes I was one of those republicans) and it was chaos inside but people were excited! The process loses something when each side is in separate rooms but each room was packed. We had it easy compared to some..for $2 million, we could have had a real primary! Shame on you Kansas Legislature!
I went to the caucus at the Unitarian Church on West 87th Street in Overland Park with my wife and 18 year old daughter. It was definetly "an experience." I was impressed by:
(1) by how thrilled my daughter, who recently registered to vote, was to participate and vote for the first time ever.
(2) the extremely high level of participation. We got there an hour early at 6pm and the line of people had already reached the end of the drive way. I was told that by 7pm, the line went way way down the etreet. I understood the last person voted sometme after 11pm.
(3) A gentleman in a wheelchair who drove to the last parking spot available on the church grounds, loaded himself into his wheelchair and starterd wheeling himself uphill towards the end of the line just as it began to rain a little. I interceded and as a group the entire line in front of us insisted he and I as his escort go to the front of the line. It was a blessing for me too becasue I can't stand up too long so I got to lean on his chair. What fine people live in this area!! While waiting for the caucus to begin he and I chatted and by the end of the evening I had made a new friend.
(4) Since I was in the first group, I watched and listened to a group of volunteers who ran the caucus with extreme competence considering the very adverse conditions they were given to operate under. They all rolled with the punches and handled problem after problem just about as fast as could be excpected.
(5) I was amazed by those that waited in the cold and rain for literally hours. It was truly a miserable night to hold such an event so I thank all of my fellow citizens who came out anyway for your commitment to keeping our political process alive, even if you didn't vote for my choice of candidate. The world needs more of you.
I thank you all,
Bill
Post Script to the experience at the Unitarian Church on West 87th Street.
6) After voting and helping my new friend get back into his car, I went back into the church to find my wife and daughter who I found were still waiting in line to caucus. I began hunting for a spot where I could sit and wait. I finally found a chair next to a lady of some years who had taken similar refuge.. As I sat down a political plastic flag slipped out of my coat pocket. It was not a flag for Hillory Clinton. The lady grimaced just a bit and then asked me if I would ever consider voting for a woman for President. I said certainly, but that I felt I had voted for a candidate because this candidate’s views more closely mirrored mine. “But we’ve waited so long (for a woman to be President)!” she said with a great sadness in her voice. ”Well I think we’ll (as in we the people) both win no matter who is finally named the democratic candidate for President,” I said trying to comfort her. I will not soon forget the sadness in her eyes. I surely do hope she gets to see this happen during her lifetime. She seemed to have a great deal of faith, so I think she will even if the other contender is named the candidate this time around.
Bill
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