"Uncommitted" movement gaining strength in Washington

[Truth2Tell]

In the last 48 hours the emails have been flying fast and furious between former Edwards supporters, former Kucinich supporters, Party activists and disillusioned progressives of all stripes here in the Evergreen State. And it's becoming more and more clear that a significant movement to send Democratic delegates to Denver under the banner of Uncommitted is gaining serious steam.

Just in the last hour I have received more than ten emails from at least a half dozen political list serves, and today I have heard of at least two serious meetings at which organization for the Uncommitted position was the order of the day.

For example, I just received an email from a serious Party activist and organizer in Peirce County that included this piece of news:

Hi to all. I just taught two Mock Caucus' in Pierce County for the Central committee, over 80 people attended. A good time was had by all.

-snip

During the maucus there would have been a total of 24 delegates elected to go on from the 5 mock precincts. Of this total I think that a total of 15 were uncommitted or Edwards delegates, over 62%. These were party activists and PCOs. When some party regulars told us that "you can't go uncommitted," we were not deterred. I suggest that we simply reply, "yes we can."

I know for a fact that many of the Edwards supporters in my own LD intend to stay Uncommitted, and prior to his withdrawal Edwards was pulling a solid 60%-70% among active Party members here.

I've also been out knocking on doors doing GOTV for the caucuses. In one hour this morning I had at least a half dozen Democrats tell me they were sick that Edwards and Kucinich have both left the race and that they were at a loss for what to do. I encouraged each of them to turn out next weekend and caucus for Uncommitted. I explained that they could still impact the race and press their progressive ideals all the way to Denver. When I laid it out for people you could see some excitement and hope return to their eyes.

I know I'm not the only one spreading the Uncommitted gospel in Washington State. Rumors of a Seattle Times piece on the Uncommitted phenomenon were making the rounds today. And on the ground in precincts just like mine PCOs and activists who refuse to let the dream die are knocking on doors and working to keep the flame alive.

We need 15% or more at the LD level to get delegates to Denver. From what I've seen the last few days I think we have a real good shot.

My Edwards bumper sticker is staying on my car. My "Healthcare for all, Edwards 08" sign is staying in my window. And my evenings are still occupied with plans for victory on caucus night. There is too much at stake to give up now, with or without a candidate.

See you in Denver.

[lurky]

1. If a delegate is Uncommitted, what does that mean?

They can vote for anyone? If so, how do we know that that delegate will vote in a way that matches our beliefs and interests? I'm just curious about how all this works. Thanks!

[Truth2Tell]

2. Yes they can vote for anyone.

So the people at the LD (or precinct) level who send them to the convention need to have a pretty good idea of what the delegate believes and what they plan to do.

[Emit]

4. But, if I understand correctly, and please correct me if I'm wrong

at the convention, if Edwards is no longer in the race -- no longer a choice, the delegates will then have to choose from the remaining candidates.

[Hart2008]

6. They don't have to choose only two candidates. They could block certain candidates from winning.

There is a group think mentality going on that there are only two choices.

Only pledged delegates are required to vote for their candidate, and then only on the first ballot and may be released.

If enough uncommitted delegates are elected, they could vote for another candidate and force an open convention.

In fact, the almost 800 superdelegates are all unbound and can vote for anyone they like.

Regardless of how much the MSM spins this as a horse race, it can be different if enough people want it to be.

[Emit]

9. In theory, perhaps, but I've been told by more experienced caucus goers that this is highly unlikely

That, as you go up to the county, state and national, the pressure is on to commit to the established candidates and that, in some cases, even, the big wigs in the respective parties (i.e., the county party, state party) will fill in delegates to uncommitted delegate positions when there is not a delegate present to represent the group. To get enough uncommitted delegates that actually follow through to each respective step is difficult -- not impossible in theory, but difficult.

edit typo

[eridani]

22. But it gets done

There were 63 pledged Kucinich national delegates in 2004. Kerry pressured Kucinich to ask them to cast a floor vote for Kerry, but only 20 did so. Some of us want to have our say before soldiering on in support of the primary winner.

[lurky]

5. Thanks for answering!

:hi:

[SeattleGirl]

3. Sweet!!

I'm going to my area caucus on the 9th, and I can't wait!

[peacetheonlyway]

8. congrats seattlegirl...

it's good to see us all get out and do our caucus duty... I'm leaving a beach party to organize my caucus.

[SeattleGirl]

10. I had never been to a caucus before '04, and I really enjoyed it.

Met some great people, learned a lot, and had a blast.

[peacetheonlyway]

7. COUNT ME IN , as an uncommitted,... Snoqualmie Precinct

I'm going to go as uncommitted in Snoqualmie.. and YES this is a great post..

I just got back from precinct training. that's awesome.

let's get those uncommitted out there and force some resolutions on the floor in Denver..

make the Obama's apologize to gay community and make hillary apologize for her iraq statements.

[SeattleGirl]

11. I like the way you think!

[Truth2Tell]

12. Shameless self kick. nt

[never_get_over_it]

13. Good for you

I just posted on GD that the final stake was put through the heart of the progressive wing of this party when John "suspended" his run - maybe just maybe it wasn't

GOOD ON YOU AND THANK YOU

[eridani]

23. Not in caucus states it hasn't been

Stand up for your agenda as long as you can.

[lildreamer316]

14. KICK n/t

[the other one]

15. k & r

[weeve]

16. I'll be caucusing in Seattle on the 9th ...

... and I intend to still stand in the group for Edwards. I'm hoping that we reach whatever minimum level is nedded to be viable( 15% ?? ), to at least send a few more delegates to the convention in support of John's message. Once there, they can then throw their vote to whichever candidate has moved closest to Edward's positions ( ha - or even offered him the VP or a Supreme Court seat!! ). I suppose if my Edwards support on the 9th is not enough to seat a delegate, I will then move into the Obama group, as I believe his voting record is the most liberal of the remaining two. I'm still a bit wary of his Jesus & Guns talk in Idaho of late, but I guess he's doing what must be done to get elected these days. Ugh.

[Truth2Tell]

17. Yeaaa! Spread the word!

In Seattle you will not need any minimum % to send delegates from the precinct caucuses to the LD caucuses and County Convention. But after that point, to get to the Congressional District caucuses or the national convention, you will need 15%.

[EFerrari]

18. I need to kick this. There is no one I can vote for as things stand.

:kick:

[Yael]

19. Good to hear this!!

K&R

[eridani]

20. Tell them to first caucus for Kucinich or Edwards

Always vote your values first. Then, if you don't get delegates, combine forces for Uncommitted, the anti-money candidate.

[eridani]

21. NB: this strategy is for CAUCUS states only

It will work because you have precincts, then LD/county caucuses, and then congresional district caucuses at which you can change your mind if that becomes strategically necessary.

[kelligesq]

24. Edwards Is On 24 Feb 5 ballots plus Rhode Island & North Dakota -We R Voting Edwards - Is there any

reason if he had 60 to 70 % to change to uncommitted.?

His campaign is "suspended not ended"

and we know he wants those votes and delegates becasue he has purposely had the
North Dakota and Rhode Island Secretaries of State contacted asking to be kept on
the ballot.

the more delegates and votes he has the more he can force his populist platform
on the Dems.

Although truthfully I wish he would run for President under Independent banner.

In 2004 I said that would be the last time I would ever work for the dems, Kerry the chickenhearted wouldnt use the 10,000 lawyers who were at our campaign offices all over the country. Disgusted

In 2006 I worked phones to get dem Senator elected who now votes 1/2 the time with the republicans - and a conress critter to replace anothe dem who seems to vote all the time with the rethugs. DINO s.

I'm sick of the democratic party, the DLC , their centrist - meaning right wing -and the crap they have pulled especially on John
Edwards. I'm still voting for him in primary and will write his name in if it isnt there on Nov 2 (or is it 3rd this year)

Anyway, John Edwards name should still be on your paper ballots amd electronic machines so please consider sticking with him and voting Edwards.

Thanks guys.

[EFerrari]

25. Kick

[Truth2Tell]

26. Morning Kick.

[kelligesq]

27. Edwards Supporters - I just spoke to attorney at our local DEC

I just spoke to an attorney at our local Democratic Executive Committee.

He says John Edwards wording of "suspending" was highly unusual.

(he thought John didnt have the money, but he does and more to come
with matching funds in March. He's for Hillary but mentioned John
has the best health plan!)

"Yes, it means he could come back in" he says

So "Suspended Not Ended" is the accurate slogan

He also advises that delegates at the convention could draft John Edwards -

so its more important than ever that we get on those phones TODAY,if you dont

know how to get dem phone numbers - email me -

And remind people they can vote for John Edwards, he's on their ballot,

get JOhn Edwards the votes to get him delegates at the convention who will draft

him.


Anybody who has access to the States Forum on DU, please copy and print to each

state or your own state.


Pledge your vote here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

Go Edwardians for John Edwards, For Populism, For This Country, For Your Family

and Yourself :bounce:


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4370221&mesg_id=4370221

[eridani]

28. Swing shifter kick n/t