Caucuses bring politics close to home
Originally published in the Bellingham Herald
Caucuses bring politics close to home
Mark Porter, The Bellingham Herald
Laura Baker of Bellingham got a dose of grass-roots democracy at a Democratic presidential caucus Saturday at Fairhaven Middle School.
Baker, 19, was sitting among an estimated 800 Democrats from 14 precincts who packed the school's cafeteria and spilled into the hallways, still undecided about her vote.
That's when she got a politicking from at least three presidential backers, including supporters of former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry and U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio.
"Voting for Kerry is more of the same," Dean supporter Martin Scruggs of Bellingham told her.
"Vote your heart," added a woman sitting across the table.
Baker finally scribbled in Kucinich's name and followed other supporters to a corner where they decided on Kucinich delegates for the upcoming countywide caucus.
"I really like public debate," Baker said. "I don't think he'll (Kucinich) win, but he's changing the platform of others."
Scruggs just shook his head after learning the decision. "I told her she'd be sorry, because he won't even win a state. I did my homework months ago." [ed. note: news flash, bud: Dean hasn't won a state either]
Baker was one of many Democrats taking part for the first time in the party's caucuses, which resulted in a victory for Kerry in Whatcom County and statewide.
While most states choose their presidential nominee through primary elections, Washington party faithful meet in community centers, union halls, schools, motels and even living rooms to declare who they support and try to win over others like Baker to their candidate.
Local Republicans, who already know their candidate will be President Bush, will hold precinct caucuses March 9 to choose delegates to the county convention and will consider issues party members might raise, according to local Republican party leaders.
In Washington, parties stuck to caucuses because the state's blanket presidential primary system was declared unconstitutional last year. It allowed all voters to choose any candidate without declaring a party preference since 1935.
This year, with a continuing budget crunch and no Republican contest, the state canceled the primary altogether.
So, instead of a punch card and candidate list, folks like Baker got to listen, talk and debate about the candidates before weighing in.
Saturday was a fine example of grass-roots politics, said Barry Buchanan, the chairman of the Whatcom County Democrats who has attended and participated in caucuses before.
Several of the precincts had overflowing turnouts - a far cry from caucuses held in 2002, Buchanan said.
"It's like comparing a football game with a Cub Scout meeting," he said. "It exceeds your expectations."
Jean Brechan had a Kucinich sign on her back during the caucus. The Kucinich signs outnumbered Dean and Kerry signs, which in turn far outnumbered North Carolina Sen. John Edwards or former Army Gen. Wesley Clark signage.
"He's the only one who voted consistently against the war in Iraq," Brechan said of Kucinich.
Teens Danny Moffat, 17, and Gabriel Springsnow, 19, came to hear about the candidates and make a decision. Moffat will be of voting age and said he put down Kerry as his preference.
"It's something that my whole community is getting involved with," Moffat said. "I feel like I should be here. I just really don't want Bush to win."
That was the sentiment of the entire crowd before the caucus voting began.
"We're not divisive, we're diverse," Buchanan told the crowd. "What we're here to do today is to get George Bush out of office."
Subscribe to this blog's feed