WASHINGTON STATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS - LIVE thread

Find Your Caucus Location By Pressing Here ^ | 02/09/2008

[Checkers]

The Cauci don't begin until 1pm pacific time, but it's never too early to start a live thread.

[ShandaLear]

Just got back. Almost didn’t go and ended up getting elected as a delegate. It was interesting, virtually everyone there was a Romney supporter. Only one mention of Ron Paul and no one talked about Huckabee. Ended up being a begruding McCain sweep.

[Seattle Conservative]

Here are some reports from soundpolitics.com:
http://soundpolitics.com/archives/010112.html

Caucus Report
If my caucus location with 36 precincts in the 1st Legislative District is indicator, Washington will go the way of Kansas today by favoring Mike Huckabee by a solid margin...though that’s hardly scientific so don’t read too much into it.

Turnout seemed modest at best, though since this is the earliest in the Presidential primary calendar that Washington Republicans have caucused in recent memory it’s tough to compare - not to mention the fact the field winnowed substantially this week with Mitt Romney and Ron Paul exiting the race in their respective ways.

With Romney “suspending” his campaign and with McCain not exactly the favorite of grassroots activists it was certainly a gathering dominated by the Huckabee and Paul backers - almost a subset of activists dominating the turnout. Thankfully, there were no chants of “Ron Paul! Ron Paul! Ron Paul!” Everything was pretty low key, especially compared to the real race still unfolding on the Democratic side.

We’ll see how the statewide results unfold. I suspect, however, when all is said and done, we’ll be able to look back at caucus/convention results across the country this year as clear evidence that McCain has a sustained problem among the activist base of the GOP, even as he runs strong now in states with standard primaries.

Posted by Eric Earling at February 09, 2008 02:12 PM | Email This

Comments
1. As promised, I caucused for Hillary today. Here is my report:

Well I attended the local Democrat caucus and a few things made an impression on me. First of all, there were a record number of people there. They were lined up out the door. My only other experience at a Democrat caucus was years ago and it involved about 12 people meeting at a neighbor’s house and discussing the candidates. This was quite a different experience for me as it was all the precints in the area at once in the cafeteria of a local middle school.

The event was supposed to start at 1:00 PM but, as is usual with Democrat events, it was late. Most likely the record turnout played a role in this, but I think the lack of organization also contributed to the fact that things didn’t start until well after 2 pm. Once inside the scene was total chaos much akin to herding cats. In other words, your typical Democrat run event.

Finally at 2:01 pm one of the local Democrat politicos took to a stage an began reading a list of what was to happen. He then ended by asking everyone to stand for the pledge of allegiance, to which a young enthusiastic Obama supporter remarked “I thought only Republicans did this”. He mumbled his way through the pledge, refusing to say “one nation under god” and then everyone clapped and started their caucusing.

One person after another got up to speak and from the speakers and those present for Hillary it was quite apparent that the majority of those for Hillary were women. It was quite telling that in such a supposedly enlightened party as the Democrats portray themselves, that men at a guestimated ratios of 20 to 1 went for Obama. Read into that what you will.

The main points of the speakers for Obama were that he was honest (and Hillary wasn’t was the implication) and that he would unite America. The main points for Hillary were her experience and the fact that “the patriarchy had ruled long enough”.

I had a chance to advocate in a small group for Hillary. I pointed out that the job of president is not a learn on the job program but rather whomever is elected must be ready from day one to take the reigns of government. I conversed with a young black Obama supporter and asked hi to name one bill or one legislative accomplishment of Obama. He gave me a blank look.

Democrats seemed keenly aware that Hillary was a divisive figure. The delegates for Obama outnumbered those for Clinton at about 3 to one. There were many young people, too young to remember Jimmy Carter who were supporting Obama. Whether that enthusiasm will translate into votes in November is anyone’s guess. Historically the young people do not show up to the polls on voting day as former Kerry advisor Bob Schrum will quickly attest.

All and all it was an interesting peek into the psyche of the Democrats of Kitsap County. I didn’t realize my district was so heavily Democrat. In the end it appeared the majority was more enamoured with flash over substance if you will and it showed in the impressive Obama tally.

Posted by: pbj on February 9, 2008 04:23 PM
2. North Kitsap R caucuses were standing room only. A respectful crowd at that. Very few supporters of McCain—in fact the moderator had to ask several times if anyone wanted to speak on his behalf. Some passionate Paul supporters and a good showing for Huckabee. Surprisingly, Romney appeared to out poll McCain. Romney delegates were elected from several precincts.

Posted by: samuel.huntington on February 9, 2008 04:24 PM

3. Everett goes for Ron Paul cause nobody bothered showed up. Nice job suckas!!

Posted by: Si Se Puede on February 9, 2008 04:24 PM

[sageb1]

It would catch more than my eye.

[sageb1]

True. Maybe Fred wanted to endorse McCain to make sure Huckabee wasn’t the last man standing. If so, good for him.

[SW6906]

Just returned from running errands after attending the caucus with sionnsar. Now I’m even more discouraged and disgusted with our party than before. My impressions of the caucus? Four words: Complete. Waste. Of. Time.

I thought we were going to discuss the candidates, discuss the issues, and agree as a precinct who the precinct was for. Nope, not what happened.

Basically, we just “elected” delegates (pretty much whoever volunteered) from our precinct and they get to vote for whomever they want and can change that vote at any time. I thought we were going to be electing “representatives” that would then carry forward the wishes of the precinct as a whole. Nope.

So, in other words, unless you are able to commit the time and money to attend the county and state conventions (I can't, I'm going to be out of the country), you have no (zero, zip, nada) say in who the delegates from your precinct are going to be voting for.

I came ready to express my displeasure with the party for this eff’d up 50/50 system we have in this state, ready to discuss why John McCain is not the best choice, and ready to express why I think we should still vote for Romney. I thought there'd be at least some support for Romney, I never even heard his name mentioned.

It was a club get together (just like last time) with a pre-determined outcome, and I’ll not participate again.

I’d like to hear how other caucuses went because mine was sure a load of crap.

[sageb1]

True. Maybe Fred wanted to endorse McCain to make sure Huckabee wasn’t the last man standing. If so, good for him.

[Caravaggio]

You should’ve all voted for Romney anyway. Judging from some of those on board here, seems like a few went that route.

I think everyone who was going to support Romney before he dropped out still should vote Romney. Anything could happen between now and Nov given McCain’s age and what not. Romney’s only SUSPENDED his campaign so would keep any delegates he has won, or COULD win if enough people vote for him.

[narses]

OK I just mailed my ballots in, what is with a caucus and a primary? What counts?

[SW6906]

The more I'm reading on this thread, the more I don't believe my caucus was run properly. We never "voted" for candidates, we only voted for delegates who then could vote any way they wanted. I could only be a single nay (had I chosen to) in a sea of yeas during the "vote" for each delegate volunteer.

Sheesh! What a load of crap!!!!!!

[ShandaLear]

It was explained to us that we could vote for Romney, but because he suspended his campaign, he could not be awarded delegates.

[Norman Bates]

So there won’t be any results tonight, we have to wait for a state convention?

[Tennessee Nana]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I wonder how they will figure out the votes for each candidate ???

[SW6906]

I’m going to go crack a beer and try to calm down......I’ll check back on the thread later.

[ShandaLear]

Same here. I really didn’t notice any overt voting. Maybe it’s from the sign in sheet. I don’t know.

[SW6906]

There was a moment where they recorded two delegates as being for Huckabee but also uncommitted. I spoke up and told them that for results to be accurately recorded, they had to be for one or the other. They then changed them to Huckabee.

I bet other precincts took head counts of each and every person that showed up as to whom they were for, and then elected delegates from the volunteers. We only elected delegates, I never got to say I was for Thompson and now Romney, let alone try to talk others out of being for McCain (or Ron Paul, LOL!).

Where's that beer..........

[I.D.E.A]

Our Caucus total for all the votes at Capitol High School in Olympia (Commons, not the results for those voting in the ‘A pod’):

Huckabee: 12

Paul: 9

McCain: 7

Romney: 4

[cmsgop]

LOL!, mine was kinda like your but it was my first one so I had no idea what to expect. I was elected Chairman I wanted a gavel but they didn't have one.....:*). I’m encouraged by some of these turnout stories.

[Tennessee Nana]

the results for those voting in the ‘A pod’”

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Pod People voting

Is that legal ????

:)

[Quix]

Nice to know there are some GOPers left in WASH State.

[cmsgop]

I’m on my third,LOL!