from the new west blog: obama's big night

Down to the Wire—from the Obama Watch Party

By Sharon Fisher, 6-03-08

If elections were judged on the basis of who has the most and coolest t-shirts, Obama would win hands down, at least here at the Obama watch party in Legends at the Boise Spectrum, where some 75 people have gathered to watch the Montana and South Dakota results—and, they hope, to see Obama go over the top.

“Hope Knows No Party”—with a chimeric creature including features of both a donkey and an elephant.

“got hope?”—in the “got milk?” typeface.

“Peace, Love, and Change—Obama 08” on a tie-dye background.

Democrats in Idaho—who seize any opportunity to feel like they’re not alone—are not only cheering for Obama here but running as candidates themselves to be Obama delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Democratic candidates for other offices, including Debbie Holmes for CD 2, Brian Cronin for Legislative District 19, Nicole LeFavour for Senator in District 19, and yours truly for Legislative District 21—are also here, pressing the flesh and, hopefully, collecting donations.

“Tonight’s the night,” said Holmes sporting an Obama button. “It’s got to be the night. He’s going to make it.”

Word just went through the room that Clinton had apparently declared she would not concede tonight—but with the current results of 9 Obama delegates and 199 Clinton delegates needed, with 20 minutes til the South Dakota polls close and an hour and 20 minutes til the Montana polls close—it seems to be only a matter of time before it’s irrelevant.

TJ Thomson and Kassie Cerami, heads of the Obama for Idaho, are currently leading a cheer. “Fired up! Ready to go!”

Full disclosure: Sharon Fisher is a candidate for the Idaho Legislature, District 21.

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