My sons' awesome adventures at the Washington caucuses

[starroute]

My sons, who are both in their 20's, are currently living in Washington State, and they both went to their local precinct caucus to vote for Obama.

The younger one got bored after the voting and went home to attend to other business. But before he went out again, he took the time to let me know that his brother had not only delivered one of the one-minute speeches -- and done a very plausible job of it, apparently -- but had also put his name up as a potential delegate to the county-level caucuses in April.

Half an hour later, the older one showed up. He took a little time to fill me in on what it was like at the caucus. Lots of people. The Clinton supporters tended towards middle-aged women and were kind of shrill, but then so were some of the Obama supporters. The Obama voters gained 6 delegates to the Clinton voters' 2. And he had not only spoken, but "on a suicidal impulse" and in response to proddings had volunteered to be a delegate -- and had been elected.

Now here's what blows my mind. #1 son has always taken an interest in current events and has made a point of voting -- but he's never shown the remotest interest in getting involved in politics himself. What's more, he only moved out West to join his brother two months ago, and his Washington State voter registration isn't even finalized. And yet here he is in the thick of it. This is passing strange.

I posted here a week or two ago that though I don't quite believe in Obama myself, I have to believe in my sons' belief in him -- and this is another example. I may not understand what's happening here -- but I'm damned sure that something unprecedented is going on.

[Tweed]

1. Great story!

[countingbluecars]

2. I enjoyed reading this! n/t

[Diane R]

3. My three sons attended their caucuses in Seattle.

My oldest son and his girlfriend went to their caucus; both for Obama.

My middle son and his FIVE roommates all caucused for Obama.

My youngest son and his SEVEN roommates all caucused for Obama.


We're in good hands with this new generation.

[Cha]

9. Yay, Diane, and

your 3 sons!

[Yael]

13. Sweet! These stories are giving me goose bumps.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. Wonderful story!

Thank you for the report! Its good to know that young people are taking an interest in politics.

[JVS]

5. Awesome. A close family friend of mine was a delegate at the 2000 republican convention.

From all accounts it's a great experience. And to think that your son gets to do it without being head of a schoolboard for 10 years! Tell him to have fun.

[starroute]

21. Well, he's just a delegate to the county caucus

After that level, they start being out of town -- first state and then the national convention -- and you have to pay your own way. So he's not planning to push it beyond where he can get to on the bus. But it's still got to be head-bending for him.

[Barack_America]

6. Many young voters have never had an election...

Where there wasn't a Clinton or a Bush running for President.

We're ready for something new.

[newmajority]

10. Even some of us not so young voters.

My first election was 1984. Poppy was on that one. :(

[Barack_America]

19. Aww, that's still young!

;)

[sandnsea]

14. Carter, that's it for me

It's not just the young'ns that want a major change.

[Barack_America]

20. It's about to happen...

Can you feel it?

:woohoo:

[flamingyouth]

7. Great that your sons got up and spoke - and congrats on getting elected!

We went to our caucus today in Seattle and were blown away by the sheer numbers of people. Supporters of both candidates spoke and were eloquent and wonderful. We were united in our goal to GET RID OF THE GOP THIS FALL!!! but Obama won our precinct 5 delegates to 1.

You should be very proud of your sons.

[Cha]

8. Awesome story! Thanks, starroute..

I believe in Obama first of all because he was against going into the misbegotten war on Iraq in 2002..that's how damn smart and conscionable he is.

My son lives on Kauai and can't wait to vote for Obama in their March primaries and I'm proud of him too for being someone who could see through the bullshit these past 8 years.

[Matariki]

11. Yay for your sons, yay for Obama, but PLEASE

Can we stop calling women 'shrill'? There are so many problems with that, I'm not going to innumerate them.

Thanks.

[Yael]

12. I don't think any of us fully grasp what is going on here

Suffice to say, GWB's legacy just showed up. :rofl:

Wonderful news on your son getting involved!!! :toast:

[Adelante]

15. "something unprecedented is going on"

Indeed :thumbsup:

[Beregond2]

16. WA

Great story. I was so heartened by all the young people at the caucus I attended. They knew nothing about the process, but boy, did they want to learn! I knew I was seeing the rebirth of the party.

[WHAT]

17. not very many young people, here...

(rural, a lot of retirees)

but, there were many youngsters with the caucus goers. They were recognized and given a round of applause. I really thought it was great to see the school age children getting this early experience...I bet it will make an impression and make it more likely that they participate as young adults.

Great story!

[VolcanoJen]

18. I just really love these kinds of stories.

Political kids rule!! :-)