WA State caucuses: Obama volunteers, back off!

[Missy Vixen]

I've donned my asbestos underwear. I've stayed out of it this far, but I have a few things I'd like to say.

We arrived home a couple of hours ago from what should have been an enjoyable afternoon with our neighbors and friends. My husband and I will be voting for Edwards in our February 19th primary. We will be uncommitted till November, but we will be voting for whomever the Democrats put up in November. At the same time, the bullying and full-court-press from Obama supporters is beyond unbelievable. If I had any inclination to change my mind at all about Barack Obama before I walked into the caucus venue this afternoon, it's GONE. If I have to vote for him in November, I will, but I will not be happy about it.

The building was papered with Obama signs and stickers. Great. That's their right. Where I objected, though, was the constant barrage we got from volunteers. Buttons. Buttons. Buttons. "Would you like a sign?" Uh, no, thank you. The one-minute speeches were given by volunteers who loomed over the seven seated uncommitteds in our precinct. It was so out of control that other candidates' supporters joked, "Maybe we should loom over you, too."

We went through this four years ago over John Kerry. We're going through it again with overzealous supporters that can't wait to tell us how wrong we are to not immediately kiss the robe of Obama, but have no interest in listening to our misgivings and concerns about their candidate. It's hard to believe that we were the only two people in that venue that came away with the same opinion.

I'll be focusing our time and money on down-ticket races this time around, because frankly, this is starting to remind me more than a bit of Scientology solicitations.

Julie

[yewberry]

1. Silly question:

why are you going to vote in the primary? I was thinking about lining the birdcage with my ballot.

[Missy Vixen]

2. I'm voting in the primary

because it's my chance to vote for John Edwards. Plus, I've voted in every election for the past thirty years, and I don't want to mar my perfect record ;-).

Julie

[yewberry]

5. Check.

I wanted to caucus for JE myself, but there was very little support at my precinct.

I think there's some kind of bond issue or something along with the primary, so I may actually send it in.

[gateley]

7. I'm voting in my primary so I can vote for Biden - the only time I'll ever

be able to do that. And, like you, I'll support the nom in November.

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Missy Vixen]

19. I beg your pardon, Spokane?

Those of us who don't care for the tactics of the Obama volunteers have just as much of a right to speak as those who have been cramming him down our throats.

Julie

[gateley]

3. This campaign is fraught with over-zealous supporters on both sides.

I just hate to think that in their enthusiasm, they would alienate a potential voter for their candidate.

Supporters are NOT the candidates -- remember who it is we're actually voting FOR.

[Missy Vixen]

6. Perhaps the candidate needs to tell his people

that this is an election, not a holy crusade.

Julie

[marlakay]

4. Sorry you experienced that

we voted at a junior high school, no posters for either side and everyone on both sides was nice. I was just happy in my rural town to see dems. We did end up voting for obama but we were respectful to everyone.

[The empressof all]

8. Gosh what a difference a few miles make

My precinct went overwhelmingly for Obama but the site itself was peppered with Clinton signs. Not a single sign posted for Obama. You know I was an Edwards supporter as well. I too will vote for him in the Primary. I stood today for Obama as I didn't feel comfortable giving the power of my vote to someone else to decide for me at the next level. So although I have been an Edwards supporter I am now an Obama delegate and will proudly vote for my second choice at the next level of the process.

I was amazed at the wide range of ages and the even split between men and women at my caucus. My individual precinct was mostly middle aged and older folks. All 5 of our delegates went to Obama. We had 26 in our individual group with a 24 Obama/2 Clinton split. I was shocked with the degree of support Obama had with the older and middle aged folks in my community.

[Missy Vixen]

10. Your Grace, it's good to see you!

I'm glad to hear that the caucusing went well. ;-)

We'll do it all again in four years.

Julie

[The empressof all]

13. But next time will be easier

We'll be voting in the incumbent!

:hi: :hug: :hi:

[Skidmore]

23. Hi, empress, good to see you.

I have to visit the Cooking group. I've been hanging out here way too much. :)

[The empressof all]

24. Come and nourish yourself for the days ahead

Like Julie...I really try to restrain myself from the fracus over here though I sometimes feel battle bruised just reading through the fray. Ultimately the slaugter here will be rather meaningless...Lots of wounds but really a useless war. Just the sort of environment Bush might like.

[freeplessinseattle]

9. Very different in Eastlake-which was strongly Obama

Hillary signs outnumbered Obama signs by at least 4 to 1, and I had no luck getting any help acquiring Obama signs or buttons. Sounds like one specific group dominated your particular place. sorry it colored your perception of people like me.

[lligrd]

11. Shame On Them - They Offered You Buttons?

How could they? I am surprised you got back with your sanity after that horror. :sarcasm:

[Missy Vixen]

21. I've met Jehovah's Witnesses that were more subtle

Then again, we won't have to deal with them in a public venue. They'll be coming to the door, and we'll be politely refusing them.

Julie

[KittyWampus]

12. OMG, they offered you BUTTONS! And I've always respected you, but just because you're bitter

about Edwards means you throw out a fucking Scientology comment?

[Codeine]

14. That's how a caucus always works.

It's about committed supporters making a pitch for their candidate. You're an adult, you can handle the pressure, I'm sure.

[ORDagnabbit]

16. LOL>..you do know the wa. state primaries dont count for anything right? Its symbolic.

[ClayZ]

17. In Snohomish county there was NOONE with Obama stuff,

except one guy with with a few stickers. You had to beg for one. Hillary peeps had Posters, Sticers, and buttons.

I will have to find headquarters to get a yard sign for Obama.

[Beregond2]

18. Caucus

At the caucus I attended in Longview, the support for Obama was certainly strong, but no one tried to intimidate anyone, nor was anyone handing out buttons or fliers. In fact, many people were asking for them, and there were none available. I suspect the people in charge at your location didn't know what they were doing. Why don't you get more involved, and maybe you can improve things next time around?

[AX10]

20. This is how Bush's supporters were in 2000.

[eridani]

22. Not that way at all at my venue

I was area convener for 100 precincts in the south of unincorporated King County. Clinton and Obama supporters both had sticky badges, but the Clinton supporters had signs and slimjim handouts as well. There was little acrimony--I called for candidate testimonials right before convening, and the three who spoke for each focused mainly on their candidate and not so much on the shortcomings of the other. I added a brief pitch for every candidate who ran, including uncommitted. (Kucinich got cheered, which reminded me of the Labor debate where he got all the standing O's but no endoresments.)

[K Gardner]

25. Why do you hate buttons ?? Was Tom Cruise there?

[kurth]

26. Convert Or Else

[hedgehog]

27. You've described the wqay a caucus is supposed to work. If you

don't like it, don't blame the Obama folks. Make it clear to your local party leaders that you want a primary next time around instead.

On edit: Is this the first time the nominee wasn't determined before Washington could hold its caucus?