LIVE Inside the Washington Caucuses: Bellevue fired up and ready to go
Isn't it amazing how a place can come alive for a caucus?
Curious to see how the setup was coming along, I drove by Tillicum Middle School this morning around 10:30 AM to look around. A few Obama campaign signs were posted here and there but there were no volunteers to be seen.
Only two women setting up a table for the Hillary caucusgoers.
As I approached the entrance one asked if I were there to caucus for Hillary. I said "No, I'm here for Obama." I noticed a look of disappointment on the face of the other woman, and immediately said "You know, I'm a good Democrat and whoever is the candidate I'll support." That statement didn't seem to cheer them up, and I left to take care of a few errands.
As I returned and approached the school at about 12:30, I was glad to see parking was already at a premium and I finally found a spot in the driveway against the curb.
I walked up to the entrance where Obama supporters were handing out buttons and posters (of which two are now in my possession) joining the crwod streaming through the door and assembling at the tables.
I found my precinct and sat down with neighbors I hardly knew. I was happy to meet so many new friends, people I have lived near for the last decade.
By 1 PM there was a flood of people filling the room to capacity.
The organizer had to move about a quarter of the attendees out of the cafeteria and into the library and staff conference rooms.
I estimate at the peak there were upwards of 700 people, many of whom had never participated in politics beyond voting.
Veterans of the same caucus events from 2004 remember only 100 folks showing up.
As I wandered around the room filming, I was overcome with an overpowering sense of pride in my neighbors; many of whom left behind the comfort of their homes or the rigors of their jobs to take time to express their disgust for the Bush administration and their hope for the future.
I saw people coming together to take America back from the corrupt forces that have trod on our Constitution and squandered our respect abroad.
Twenty eight of us showed up for our precinct caucus. Twenty five of us signed in for Barack Obama, three for Clinton. Obama captured all three of our delegates.
The outcomes for the other precincts were equally lopsided 3-1, 4-1, or 5-1, Obama over Clinton.
I truly feel I am standing in the midst of a historical event in my life. It is an honor to be part of this great movement.
The most effective way to make a difference is to show up, and that's what hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians are doing today.
Curious to see how the setup was coming along, I drove by Tillicum Middle School this morning around 10:30 AM to look around. A few Obama campaign signs were posted here and there but there were no volunteers to be seen.
Only two women setting up a table for the Hillary caucusgoers.
As I approached the entrance one asked if I were there to caucus for Hillary. I said "No, I'm here for Obama." I noticed a look of disappointment on the face of the other woman, and immediately said "You know, I'm a good Democrat and whoever is the candidate I'll support." That statement didn't seem to cheer them up, and I left to take care of a few errands.
As I returned and approached the school at about 12:30, I was glad to see parking was already at a premium and I finally found a spot in the driveway against the curb.
I walked up to the entrance where Obama supporters were handing out buttons and posters (of which two are now in my possession) joining the crwod streaming through the door and assembling at the tables.
I found my precinct and sat down with neighbors I hardly knew. I was happy to meet so many new friends, people I have lived near for the last decade.
By 1 PM there was a flood of people filling the room to capacity.
The organizer had to move about a quarter of the attendees out of the cafeteria and into the library and staff conference rooms.
I estimate at the peak there were upwards of 700 people, many of whom had never participated in politics beyond voting.
Veterans of the same caucus events from 2004 remember only 100 folks showing up.
As I wandered around the room filming, I was overcome with an overpowering sense of pride in my neighbors; many of whom left behind the comfort of their homes or the rigors of their jobs to take time to express their disgust for the Bush administration and their hope for the future.
I saw people coming together to take America back from the corrupt forces that have trod on our Constitution and squandered our respect abroad.
Twenty eight of us showed up for our precinct caucus. Twenty five of us signed in for Barack Obama, three for Clinton. Obama captured all three of our delegates.
The outcomes for the other precincts were equally lopsided 3-1, 4-1, or 5-1, Obama over Clinton.
I truly feel I am standing in the midst of a historical event in my life. It is an honor to be part of this great movement.
The most effective way to make a difference is to show up, and that's what hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians are doing today.
# Posted by Rick : 3:50 PM
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