We did our part
We attended our somewhat abbreviated caucus, we stood up for our man, and he rocked the caucus. As one t-shirt said, "Barack Chalk Jayhawk!" Current results give Kansas to Obama by a 46% margin. If only that were reflected across the country.
The line was really long, with hundreds of people snaking down the street in the cold, wintry, windy evening. We were caucusing at the National Guard Armory, one of the few places in town with a large enough space to hold hundreds of folks. Even so, there were people in line by the deadline (7 pm) who could not fit in the building. When the proceedings got started, the precinct captains (remarkably bereft of a bullhorn) announced that they would count us and then let us go home, while they brought inside the 250 people who were still outside.
It was very noisy in the hangar, with spontaneous chanting breaking out all the time. The wife was greatly moved by the show of solidarity, so much so it brought her near to tears more than once. I confess to a spine-tingling moment when the Cap'n asked us if there were some excited Democrats in the house, and five hundred people answered with a thundering "Yeah!"
It was also hot in the hangar, though some kind souls started playing with the big garage door at the far end of the room (the same door from which we were eventually shuffled out). And frankly, it got a little boring at times, too. If it weren't for the audacity of the ten Kucinich supporters, marching and singing and whatnot, it might not have been as much fun. Update: Turns out that of the 35 votes Kucinich got in Kansas, sixteen came from our caucus location.
In the end, we were out of there by a little after 7:30, in time to get home and put the boys to bed before the babysitter had to. Yeah, we got a sitter. It was the right choice, though given how raucous and short the whole process was, our older boy probably would have enjoyed.
Sounds like you had a good expereince at the caucus. Interesting that the fight goes on. I heard that Barrack will do well in upcoming primaries. I guess the republicans with their winner take all states is closer to a decision on a candidate. Maybe it won't be decided until the convention with the super delegates?
We watched this pretty closely on our recent trip (well, that and the weather). Leah's convinced that neither Obama nor Clinton will beat McCain. I think she's daft. I think the Republicans as a whole are hurting right now, and I don't believe that having McCain as their candidate is going to do much to unite the party. But we'll see....
I believe, fervently, that the one thing that could unite the Republicans is having Hillary be the Democratic nominee. I also think it would deflate the huge turnouts we're seeing for the Democratic nomination process. I think, as is clear from my blog, that nominating Hillary would be a disaster.
Get over your bias against Hillary. What is wrong with a agenda of children and poverty after 8 years of W. You're just a doom and gloom democrate. A liberal one at that. The reblublicans have a centrist candidate. They might do well. At least I will support Obama even if Hillary is not nominated. There rumors on the news that Obama supports aren't real democrates anyway. There is just as much buzz for Hillary as there is for Obama. I would be for Obama if there wasn't a Hillary. But there is. Both candiadtes will be progressive on human rights in their admin. I don't know if a Clinton/Obama ticket would work anyway. What about Al Gore and his messge that Greenlands ice fields are failing in the ocean and ocean levels will rise 20 ft. Obama/Gore ticket woud be strong too. How about Oprah for VP. It is an obvious connection.
Republicans have their own right vs middle problems. Hillary always takes the heat. What about Obama? Where is the same type of heat for him? Or is it Camolot? Dave
I have very little problem with Clinton's agenda. It is her viability as a candidate in the general election, and her take-no-prisoners approach to politics that turn me away, especially when I have a (better) alternative.
Obama/Oprah 08? Letterman would have a field day with that ticket.
Truly, you are a kindred spirit. "Uma, Oprah. Oprah, Uma" is one of my touchstone comedy moments. Best Oscars telecast ever.