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The Idaho Caucuses: Group LiveBlog Here at NewWest.Net/Boise
By Jill Kuraitis, 2-05-08
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Some of Idaho’s most experienced political bloggers will write about the Super Tuesday caucuses right here on New West today, and readers are invited to join in.
Blogging will appear in the Comments section under this article. (Hit “more” at the end of this piece to see what’s been posted so far.) As bloggers begin to contribute, I’ll post a short introduction to each person and a link to their blog. If you have a blog and would like to participate tonight, use the Comments function after this piece and simply start writing. If you don’t have a blog, write anyway. Everyone is welcome.
If there are any technical problems or questions, email me at jill@newwest.net. Good luck, everyone. Let’s tell the world what’s happening in Idaho tonight.
Is there an area set aside for this. I'm bringing my laptop.
Comment By Diana Rowe Pauls, 2-05-08I'm starting the day by making phone calls to local Dems/Obama supporters... reminding them of tonight's caucus and asking them if they have any questions...
I *hate* making phone calls... it is NOT my comfort zone and I feel intrusive...
HOWEVER... everyone I've spoken to has been excited... about the energy and involvement of our fellow Idahoans and about their candidate of choice. They are excited about being part of the process! They have been friendly as well!
I'm looking forward to meeting them tonight!!
No, but there is wireless inside the Qwest Arena, and it's an open network. Set yerself down any old wheres.
Comment By Diana Rowe Pauls, 2-05-08I forgot to introduce myself!
I blog over at http://wehavefailed.blogspot.com/... I live in Gooding and our caucus tonight will take place at Sally's Office Supply and Deli on Main Street.
Our county includes Gooding, Wendell, Hagerman, and Bliss.
We are in District #25 and are fortunate to have Senator Clint Stennett, Rep. Wendy Jaquet, and Rep. Donna Pence (all Ds) as our representatives in Boise.
I blog at http://leftistmoon.wordpress.com
I want to have our next caucus at an 'Office Supply and Deli'. Sounds like a helluva of business setup. I'm in CD2 (gotta remember that!), District 16: Langhorst, uh, ...... crap, I see their little faces.... Henbest, and Bock. All Democrats.
I wonder if we'll all get in? There's only about 8000 seats at the Qwest Arena (I'm guessing 20,000+ tried to see Obama). I only ask because I'm going but would like to get a beer first ;)
Comment By Jill Kuraitis, 2-05-08I think Canyon County should caucus at Rocky Mountain Fur & Fireworks. It's right off the freeway and all, and the national media would love the name.
Comment By Kitt, 2-05-08Get the beer, Whit. I'll prop the door open for ya.
Comment By Julie in Boise, 2-05-08Hey everyone. Thanks to Jill for providing this platform. (It sounds like you're already there, Jill.)
I am the founder of Red State Rebels, http://www.redstaterebels.net, one of Idaho's oldest political blogs, going strong since 2003. Once I leave for the arena in a half-hour or so, I actually won't be anywhere near a computer until late tonight, but I look forward to catching up here later on.
Meanwhile, RSR has a thread up to discuss the national results as they come in. I hope many of you can join us over there, too.
http://redstaterebels.typepad.com/redstaterebelsnet/2008/02/super-tuesday-n.html
Whit, there are actually only about 6,000 seats at Qwest, but we should be able to pack people in - we have the floor as well as the usual seats. Many of the folks who turned out Saturday a.m. aren't old enough to vote; many others came from all over Idaho and beyond, so we should be OK.
Happy caucusing to one and all!
If you want to get in, I strongly suggest being in line no later than 6:30. Technically, everyone in line at 7 gets in, but given the anticipated turnout, better safe than sorry!
Comment By Brett, 2-05-08I blog over at Julie's Red State Rebels... mostly about Obama.
We hope to see EVERY Obama supporter at their caucus tonight!
See ya'll soon!
It looks like the state party will be reporting results at their website: http://www.idaho-democrats.org/ht/display/ReleaseDetails/i/1129358
Comment By Sisyphus, 2-05-08I'll be checking in from time to time. No laptop but maybe I'll bug Jill or Sharon when I'm there. I blog at http://www.43rdstateblues.com/ but I comment almost everywhere. I'm excited that my son will be eligible to participate in his first election this time. And I'll be joining Whit in searching for that beer first.
Comment By Julie in Boise, 2-05-08Closest beers to Qwest? Well, choices abound, but I'd say the lobby bar of the Grove Hotel (S), the Brick Oven Bistro (N), Chandler's at Hotel 43 (W), and Bar Gernika (E) are probably the closest. There, that's one for every point of the compass.
I'm outta here!!
sigh... I'll have to be satisfied with lattes... that's about as strong a beverage which will be available tonight!!
However... the "Stinkin' Lincoln" (if you've ever had a night out on the town in Gooding, you know where I mean) may be still open afterward!!! It's right across the street!
I blog at The MountainGoat Report.
http://mountaingoatreport.typepad.com/
The Canyon County caucus is at the Nampa Civic Center. The doors there open at 6 pm and close at 7 pm but they say if you're in line by 7 you'll get in. Not sure what kind of turnout to expect. I'm told music starts at 6:30 and there will be concessions (not sure if that includes adult beverages) and a silent auction. Oughta be fun.
I won't be blogging from the caucus but will participate here and at MGR later this evening.
Hey fellow Dems!
I blog here at New West as 6degrees Astroblog:
http://www.newwest.net/6degrees
Mostly focus on astronomy and science related issues, but occasionally write an op-ed piece like this one on immigration:
http://www.newwest.net/main/article/we_are_a_nation_of_immigrants/
I wish I could join the crowd at Quest tonight, but I'll be down the road at the Discovery Center attending the monthly board meeting of the Boise Astronomical Society. I'd consider skipping it, but as the newly elected President of the group, I don't think that would be the most responsible action on my part.
I will have my laptop with me (along with my new Clearwire wireless modem) so I hope to be able to follow the events nationwide and perhaps post a comment here later this evening to give folks at Quest (and elsewhere) an update on what is happening nationwide.
Go Obama and Clinton! :-)
Okay, I just reread the CC Dems announcement again. Apparently I misread it the first time. The *program* starts at 6:30 not the *music*. A little wishful thinking, maybe? Hmmm, still oughta be fun.
Comment By Jill Kuraitis, 2-05-08Leaving my house in SE Boise now to go to the Qwest Arena. Son Andrew is my photographer tonight; he took the shot of Obama at the top of the page. We are meeting in the press box. Now 4:05; back online asap -
Comment By Kitt, 2-05-08I'm down here. I've confiscated a table and have set up. Someone is brewing coffee....smells de-lish!
Where's the press box? I'm underneath the Idaho Women for Obama signage, near an ATM.
It's too bad we didn't more 2C people together earlier to set up somewhere for some pre-caucus festivities. That and there aren't too many swilling locations by the Civic Center, course, there's always El Rodeo!
I'll be heading down here in about an hour or so, I'll try to have to have some pics up on my site when I return.
http://www.unequivocalnotion.com/
I posted a comment about Barack Obama's campaign speech and the Caucus tonight on my blog.
http://garyogrimm.blogspot.com
We will be at the caucus and write more later.
Jill,
Did you vote already?
Okay, I'm set up. 4:50 and the arena is starting to buzzz...many volunteers all set up. Doors open any minute, and the line outside has about 1000 people.
I ran into some officials from the national Dems. Will find out what they're up.
Nathaniel Hoffman is bouncing around with a microphone, Sen. Elliot Werk is doing commentary for KBOI, and the TV stations are everywhere. Sharon and I are in the press room, which is perched high above the crowd. Great view.
The PA is playing "King of the Road" - hmmmnnn,,,,,
Here are the initial results for Georgia, based of CNN exit polls:
They are predicting Obama winning the state, but can't project a winner between the three Republicans at this time. No vote tallies yet mentioned for either race.
ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA – There’s one rules fix that didn’t get made after the 2004 Idaho caucus that hopefully won’t bite any candidates this year. To get delegates to the state convention, candidates must achieve 15% viability. However, they must achieve it on the *state* level as well as on the *county* level in order for their candidates to count in the state convention – and rules do not allow recaucusing at the state convention.
In 2004, both Howard Dean and Dennis Kucinich got bit by this – they achieved 15% in some counties, but not statewide, so delegates chosen for those two candidates basically milled around at the state convention and didn’t get to do anything. There was discussion at the time about changing the rules for 2008, but according to Idaho State Democratic Party Communications Director Chuck Oxley, that didn’t happen.
ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA: Doors just opened and the 2,500 or so already here are starting to trickle in and find seats.
Standing here with me is Chuck Oxley, spokesman for the Idaho Democratic Party, who is fumbling with his phone headset, but game to talk to us. Questions for Chuck?
Chuck: Two to four years ago, people were making jokes about how Idaho Democrats could hold a convention in a phone booth. Today it's just a county operation and I had to bring my binoculars to keep tabs. It's a great day for regime change!
Comment By Jill Kuraitis, 2-05-08That was Chuck who said that.
Comment By Jill Kuraitis, 2-05-08He also says: This is the first time in history that we have all 44 counties caucusing for Democrats. And we're very happy with that.
Jill: There have been years with no Dem caucus?
Chuck: Used to be about two-thirds of the counties had D caucuses, because there was not enough interest from Democrats to put on a caucus, especially in the east - Madison, Oneida, Clark counties....those were tough. But tonight we're 44.
What are the plans for overflow?
Comment By Kitt, 2-05-08Madison, Oneida, Clark counties....those were tough. But tonight we're 44.
Is that due to the large LDS population?
Wow .... I have control of the thread. I just tried to get into New West and there was something about the server being down.
Comment By Kitt, 2-05-08Obama won Georgia, according to Reuters' home page.
Barack Obama struck an early blow on "Super Tuesday" with an easy win over rival Hillary Clinton in Georgia, the first of two dozen showdowns that could help pick the presidential nominees of both parties.
It's looks like Obama has Iowa, s. carolina, and now Georgia.
Comment By Jill Kuraitis, 2-05-08ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA: A reader reporting in by phone that traffic around the arena is massive, and there is some confusion about lines because it looks like there is more than one. The word from the party is the line looks like it 's going two ways, but everyone is headed in the right direction. An update on that soon, but patience is being preached....
Comment By Kitt, 2-05-08When is the first vote taken?
Comment By Jill Kuraitis, 2-05-08ADA COUNTY: A German TV crew is here sharing the press room - I will follow up on that - and the giganta-tron TVs are now on with shots of the mob filling the arena. Thousands are in already, thousands more waiting.
Comment By Jill Kuraitis, 2-05-08First votes have to be turned in when the doors close at 7. People are filling out ballots now and holding on to them.
Comment By Kitt, 2-05-08Where's a good map of the congressional boundaries for CD1 and CD2?
Comment By Kitt, 2-05-08Where do people go to put their name in for delegate?
we found that answer.
Volunteers with clipboards.
Comment By Jill Kuraitis, 2-05-08kay, Kitt, I'll try to answer afew of your questions now...The two Idaho Congressional Districts are split down the middle of Boise, right about Cole Road.
Plans for overflow? Anybody who is in line before 7 pm gets a ballot. If they join the line after 7 pm they don't.
Jill -
What's the TV station from Germany. I read Der Spiegel daily.
Yeah, it's Cole Rd. I'm in CD2, but I found a map once online and cannot find it NOW!
Comment By Sharon Fisher, 2-05-08ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- If you hear people referring to Senator Barack Obama as a “black swan,” they’re referring neither to his skin color nor to his being an ugly child.
According to researcher Nassim Nicholas Taleb, a “black swan” is a large-impact, hard-to-predict, and rare event beyond the realm of normal expectations. The term black swan comes from the ancient Western conception that all swans were white. In that context, a black swan was a metaphor for something that could not exist. The 17th Century discovery of black swans in Australia metamorphosed the term to connote that the perceived impossibility actually came to pass. (In other words, the black swan is *itself* a black swan.)
“Black swans” have three characteristics, Taleb says: “First, it is an outlier, as it lies outside the realm of regular expectations, because nothing in the past can convincingly point to its possibility. Second, it carries an extreme impact. Third, in spite of its outlier status, human nature makes us concoct explanations for its occurrence after the fact, making it explainable and predictable.”
Examples of black swans include 9/11 and the Internet, and cause unexpected radical change.
“Isn't it strange to see an event happening precisely because it was not supposed to happen?” according to Taleb.
I can't make it tonight, though if I could I'd caucus for Obama.
Can someone describe the scene? Noisy? Crowded? People voting and leaving, or everyone staying? How's it working? Looking forward to some pix as well.
Good luck to all and have fun.
Go Obama!
The line at the Civic Center in Canyon County is snaked all the way around the building right now.
Parking is... nil.
This is pretty insane.
Alan, it's nuts. Seats are about 60% full and they're pouring in. The line wraps around the arena at Capitol and 10th and it looks as if turnout is even more than the swamp predicted. There is music playing, gaggles of young people, people in line for coffee and popcorn...a big party.
Comment By Alan, 2-05-08Uniter, not a divider.
Yeah, that's the line George Bush campaigned on in the 2000 election. For many years, I scoffed at what seemed to be incredible irony, or outright fraud.
But now, by god, I realize he was right. He has united the Democrats and most of the country against him. The Idaho caucuses are proof. So, despite all the damage he's done to this country, there is a silver lining.
Bush; uniting Democrats since Y2K!
Yow. "gaggles of young people." That's really exciting for idaho Dems.
Comment By Kitt, 2-05-08We'll need a new thread soon.
Comment By flounder, 2-05-08Sounds like you are all having fun. Hope everything goes smoothly. I feel good having just voted in the first primary of my life that might matter.
Comment By Jill Kuraitis, 2-05-08ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA: 9 minutes left to turn in ballots and it's still a madhouse. I just took my ballot and left the press box for a journey to the other side of the arena. It was like walking through cream cheese, people fighting to get both directions. I asked one little group of kids who were dancing if they were having a good time and one of them said DOES JAMES BROWN GET DOWN??
Comment By Jill Kuraitis, 2-05-08NEW STORIES UP FROM THE FLOOR OF THE ADA COUNTY CAUCUS: http://www.newwest.net/boise - see Sharon Fisher's two brand-new stories in slots #1 and #2!
Comment By untamedshrew, 2-05-08Can't see Sharon's stories yet ... as of 7:11 pm. (I'm stuck in the Lewiston airport! AAgghh - wish I were there!)
Comment By Sharon Fisher, 2-05-08ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- When in doubt, do the wave.
Comment By Sharon Fisher, 2-05-08ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- Caucus co-chair Kathy Ellis just introduced veterans from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Iraqi War, who then led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a soulful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner (simultaneously signed for the hard of hearing).
Comment By Sharon Fisher, 2-05-08ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- Ada County Chair Deb Spindler is announcing all the Democratic elected officials, who are getting *big* hands.
Comment By Sharon Fisher, 2-05-08ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- Deb Spindler just thanked the AFL-CIO for donating time and workers for this event tonight. Another big hand.
Comment By Sharon Fisher, 2-05-08ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- "Being a Democrat has always been the right thing to do," said Idaho Democratic Chair Keith Roark. "Tonight it's the cool thing to do."
Roark said there are now caucuses going on in every one of Idaho's 44 counties, calling tonight the "return to relevancy" for Idaho Democrats.
"Jim Risch, Bill Sali, Larry Craig -- take a look around," Roark said. "We're going to beat these Republicans and make them like it."
ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- The Iraqi war veteran, whose name I didn't catch, is also a South Boise organizer for the Democratic party, and said there were 6,500 people here and that this is the first time in 24 years that every Idaho county has had a caucus. He also confirmed that this is the biggest caucus in the country.
Comment By Sharon Fisher, 2-05-08ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- Today is coming-out day for Idaho Democrats. The South Boise organizer is leading the audience in shouting, "I'M A DEMOCRAT!"
Comment By Sharon Fisher, 2-05-08ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- The South Boise organizer is describing the new Neighborhood Leadership program for the Idaho Democratic Party, where people commit to talk to 25 of their neighbors, rather than working in phone banks to call 200 people.
He's asking people to go to http://www.idaho-democrats.org and sign up.
ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- Caucus co-chair Brian Cronin is speaking, saying "Let's get ready to caucussssssssssssss!" in a arena speaker voice. "I always wanted to do that," he said.
He's asking whether people are ready to take back the White House after eight years of deceit, and reminding people that, like preachers say at Christmas and Easter, the Idaho Democratic Party is here year-round, not just at caucus time.
ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- Cronin just pointed out representatives of German public television, who are covering the caucus.
While the first-round votes are being counted -- and there's still a lot of people outside, he said -- he's explaining the rules.
ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- Cronin is explaining that there is a subcaucus for each candidate, as well as one for "Uncommitted," at which point a small but lusty cheer arose from the uncommitted section of the room.
A collection bucket is being passed around the room.
How many people outside?
Comment By Sharon Fisher, 2-05-08ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- Bethine Church, widow of Senator Frank Church, is being introduced to speak for Hillary Clinton, and she is getting a standing ovation. Though she has spent the evening in a wheelchair, two people are helping her up the steps so she can stand at the podium.
Comment By Alan, 2-05-08Sharon, you're doing some great reporting. Thanks. Keep it up,
Comment By Sharon Fisher, 2-05-08ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- Actually, no; she was being helped up to the non-ADA-compliant platform, where she is sitting again in her wheelchair.
She is talking about how lucky we are that there are so many qualified Democrats running for President of the United States.
"We have always known that women had a major role in the opening of the West," she said. "Women's suffrage was accepted earlier here than in other parts of the country. Now we are seeing women achieve in every walk of life."
Clinton has the experience to help us deliver real change in our country, she said.
Despite the large amount of support Obama was said to have (and he does), Clinton has a large and enthusiastic cheering section as well.
Church just brought up 'universal health care' to loud cheers, and is pointing out that she is on the Armed Services Committee, giving her experience with the military.
ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- One person yelled out "Obama!" during Mrs. Church's speech, and he was roundly shushed.
Comment By Sharon Fisher, 2-05-08ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- "I would be less than frank" -- no pun intended, I assume -- if she did not mention that part of the reason she agreed to be the co-chair was because of her long friendship with the Clintons, Mrs. Church said. If I understand her correctly, Bill Clinton called and asked her personally.
Comment By Sharon Fisher, 2-05-08ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- "I now proclaim that, whatever follows, we are all winners," Mrs. Church said, talking about how many Democrats are here.
She's getting a standing ovation.
ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- Cronin is back, thanking Mrs. Church and introducing Kurt Holzer to speak for John Edwards. (The campaigns are being introduced alphabetically.)
There had been a request that, on the first ballot, people vote for Edwards out of respect.
Holzer just said that he may need to change on a second ballot, and that he is voting for Obama. Big cheer.
However, he will remain a "John Edwards Democrat," Holzer said. "John Edwards' voice drove this campaign. He spoke for the voiceless."
ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- 8 pm.
Holzer is putting out one hell of a speech for Edwards, hitting on Katrina, homeless veterans, unions, and how Edwards was the one who made universal health care a factor in this campaign.
(There's a big union presence here tonight, compared to other Democratic events I've seen in Idaho in the past few years.)
Canyon County, Nampa Civic Center -- Just left after the 1st vote. I'll do a quick update here and then a longer write up at MGR.
The place was packed. Two huge lines for Obama stretched out the east and west doors and around the building when we got there at 6:30. They were still filing in and registering when Judy Ferro, CC Dem Chair, announced that we were reaching the building capacity of 1600. She asked those that had registered, who were committed and didn't want to vote on delegates to leave if they wished so they could fit more people in the building.
That's it for now. As I said I'll have a more detailed write up at MGR.
I'm standing here with Keith Roark, Chair of the Idaho Democratic Party, who just finished a rousing speech to the crowd, and he's live now:
ROARK: Since I was last truly active at the state level in 2002, this blogging phenomenon has reach maturity, and I'm delighted we have great progressive bloggers and what good writers you are. This aproach is very exciting to me - we can communicate with peole in this new and great way - so a shout-out to you bloggers - keep it up, you're providing a helluva service to the state.
There are in excess of 8,000 people here tonight, fired up, enthusiastic.
KURAITIS: What are the Rs talking about tonight?
ROARK: Some of them are laughing it off, sayingit's a passing fad, but some are looking at this and saying what's disturbing is the number of young people participating at the Obama rally on Saturday and now here.
I was amazed in the 80s that Reagan was able to attract and hold young voters and that helped a generation stick to the Republicans - now - look around tonight and see the young faces - they think they can make a difference, and they can.
Idaho has been for altogether too long, a one-party state. It hurts the way government is done in this state. There are some Rs who probably would welcome a revitalized Democratic party, for the health of the state.
KURAITIS: Obama or Hillary?
ROARK: - I am not officially endorsing. Let's look at Hillary - Other than Al Gore in 2000 and the first President Bush in 1988, there hasn't been a candidate as well qualified as Hillary - anyone who doubts her intelligence, abilities, etc is making a real mistake.
But speaking as the party chair, I am very concerned about our legislative candidates trying to run with Hillary on the ticket. In this state in particular she is very polarizing and I think we give up a significant number of votes in nonpresidential races with Hillary. She and her husband are intensely disliked in many many parts of the state - it would be wonderful to run WITH someone rather than run away from someone. I would prefer an Obama candidacy.
ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- Holzer is saying he may need to switch to another campaign, but with help, whether it is Obama's hope and change or Clinton's experience and toughness, whoever the party nominates will be President of the United States.
"John Edwards' voice made a difference in how they will govern," Holzer said.
ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- "There's a child out there who could be very upset that they lost this," Cronin said, holding up a pink doll. Mom, presumably, sprinted across the room to retrieve it.
Comment By Sharon Fisher, 2-05-08ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- Cronin just introduced Boise Mayor Dave Bieter to speak for Obama, and the crowd is going nuts.
"O-BA-MA! O-BA-MA!"
Bieter: "Ladies and gentlemen, isn't it nice to be *among friends!*" with a growl.
Dig at the Republicans' efforts to close primaries. "You are *all* welcome here!"
"I'm here to stand up proudly for the man I believe will be the next President of the United States: Barack Obama!"
Wow! What a crowd of people trying to get in to the Caucus. After moving along in line for an hour and a half with thousands of others, we got up to the door of the Arena before 7:PM and they announced that the Fire Marshall said the Arena was "Full" and no one else would be admitted. Lots of people were milling around and trying to find out if there was any chance of getting in, but the word kept coming out that they were sorry, but there was no more room.
Volunteers took everybody's card and they said the vote would count, but everybody outside the Arena had to leave.
Exciting night for everybody and some were very disappointed. Finally, however, there seems to be a high level of interest for Democrats in idaho.
ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- Bieter is reading his laundry list and people are cheering wildly.
No, just kidding. But he might as well be, to judge from the crowd's reaction.
He's hitting all the standard Obama talking points -- getting out of Iraq, the politics of hope, "we are not red states, we are not blue states, we are the United States."
ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- Bieter's talking about how hard it is in Idaho to have faith in the Democratic Party, and then "Obama comes here -- and we *have* to believe."
He's going to end with "something you don't hear in New Hampshire, and something you don't hear in South Carolina, and something you don't hear in the other Idaho, Iowa."
He's talking about a uniquely Idaho cheer that he hasn't done since the Fiesta Bowl.
He's teaching us a Basque cheer: "Gora" and we're supposed to say 'GORA OBAMA' "loud enough to hear in the 'other' Idaho."
I don't know if they heard it in Iowa, but it was damn loud.
ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- A new cheer: "GO-BAMA!"
Comment By Sharon Fisher, 2-05-08ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- Dave Whaling, of the AFL-CIO, is speaking for "Undecided."
"We will listen intently to all groups," Whaling promised. "We may not make a decision tonight," but when they do, they will feel strongly in their hearts that they have chosen the right one, he said.
ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- It'll be 5 to 10 minutes before results are announced, Cronin said, noting that they have 10 or 15 people doing data entry. He is encouraging people to register to vote and sign up for Ada County Democrats. "Don't leave," he said, observing that some people were standing up and moving around."
I'll come back when they announce results.
Just a note, NBC is reporting Bill Richardson watched the super bowl with Bill Clinton. Hmmmmm precurser to a Clinton/Richardson ticket?
Comment By BoiseNick, 2-05-08WoW , I've never been so excited to NOT get into an event in my life ! Thousands and THOUSANDS of we Democrats in and out !!!
the line was ALL the way around the block at 7 pm . they locked the doors and gave us paper ballots , we filled them in and got outa the bone-chilling cold , I caucused 4 Obama.
I'll bet it was HOT 'n Wild inside tho...
WAT TO GO , , , IDAHO !
Beg pardon. The AFL-CIO speaker for Undecided is Dave Whaley.
Comment By Sharon Fisher, 2-05-08ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- Brian Cronin is announcing results in other states. Clinton is actually winning the majority of them, it appears like, but Obama won a number of states as well, and of course what matters is the number of delegates. Big cheers from each side at each announcement.
Comment By Sharon Fisher, 2-05-08Check out this live Google Maps showing election results:
http://maps.google.com/maps/mpl?moduleurl=http://www.google.com/mapfiles/mapplets/elections/2008/primary/primaries.xml&utm_campaign=en&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-google-mp&utm_term=decision2008
ARE YOUR COMMENTS GETTING CAUGHT IN A SPAM FILTER? Email
Comment By Sharon Fisher, 2-05-08ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA – If you passed up the caucus thinking you could just vote in the Democratic primary in May, you’re out of luck – while there is a Democratic presidential primary, it is a “beauty contest” and the results don’t count.
So why have it at all?
Because state law requires it, said Idaho Democratic Party spokesman Chuck Oxley. But the Democratic National Committee isn’t required to use it, and they are free to set up caucuses in any state to pick the actual delegates.
ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- Minnesota, North Dakota, and Kansas have all gone to Obama, it was just announced.
Comment By Sharon Fisher, 2-05-08ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA – The American Association for Retired People, under the aegis DividedWeFail.org, is handing out material describing each of the candidates – Democratic and Republican – particularly about health care. The organization, which does not take political positions, is not endorsing, said one man handing out material before the caucus – it just wants to make sure people have information to make their decision.
Comment By Sharon Fisher, 2-05-08ADA COUNTY, QWEST ARENA -- 9 pm, and no results yet from the first ballot.
It may be a long night...
I saw beach balls tucked into the backs of some seats earlier, and they're coming out now.
Obama seems to be swamping the caucus votes here in Boise ...
for up to the minute Idaho Democratic Party Caucus results , go to:
http://www.intoxination.net/elections/21.html
Powered by IntoxiNation and Crooks and Liars
correction: it's Idaho , not just Boise
Comment By BoiseNick, 2-05-08MSNBC just called Idaho for Obama !
it seems a bit early for that tho,,,