Texas Democratic caucus delegates ready for next step Saturday.

[sonias]

AAS 3/23/08
Texas Democratic caucus delegates ready for next step Saturday.
Local meetings will determine delegates for state convention.

James Akers of Dripping Springs has set his sights high as a first-time delegate to his local Democratic Party convention on Saturday.

"My goal is to go to Denver," Akers said, referring to the host city of the Democratic National Convention in August. "Imagine being on that convention floor when history is being made."

For longtime party activists, this kind of giddiness for a local convention is unheard of.

"The last one, hardly anyone was there," said David Butts, a Travis County convention regular since 1972. "We probably couldn't have had a good rugby scrum if we'd all gotten together."

Kicking it for a great time next Saturday!

:kick:


Sonia

[Lone_Star_Dem]

1. My delegates are soo pumped here!

I've been swamped with phone calls and emails trying to make sure the others are attending and for directions to the convention. It's thrilling!

[sonias]

2. Herding cats

I'm just trying to keep our cats in the pen. Too many of them want to run away.

But it is thrilling.


Sonia

[Lone_Star_Dem]

3. One word: Donuts

I know you have a gazillion delegates and that's not possible for you, but for my much smaller crew the promise of fresh bakery donuts on Saturday morning seems to be a pretty good lure from the responses I've gotten.

Luckily it's a small town and I know most of the delegates personally enough to tease them a wee bit. I warned them I'm not beyond being brutal when I have to. So, I alluded that anyone not showing up without warning me of their absence shouldn't be surprised to find their email addresses being sent to random spam sites on the internet.

[sonias]

4. Ha ha on the spam bot thing

I had to bribe mine with Obama buttons and a little bit of threatening. For the most part they're a great bunch of people. We're going to elect one of the youngest delegates to state. One of our delegates is 18 years old and so excited. Our PCT has decided we're going to help her get as far as she can. Hell I'll even raise money for her to go to national, if she wants.

Sonia

[Lone_Star_Dem]

5. I want to be in your precinct!

Not only is it bloated with Democrats, but you're cool too. It does my heart such good to know that you're helping to advance that young person. She is the future of our party! I've been held back several times because I was told I wasn't seasoned enough. Bah! That's a good way to extinguish a flame!


Edit to add: I live in a retirement community and I'm NOT a young person except by comparison to my local Democrats. I'm actually middle aged (40! as of March 1st *groan*).

[WolverineDG]

7. I wanna be in yours!

Donuts? :9

:hi:

dg

[Lone_Star_Dem]

8. I'll gladly share if you help me herd cats!

I have stress knots in my shoulders tonight from dealing with quibbling from a couple from one side. Hello? We're all Democrats! I won't elaborate as to which side is acting the twit 'cause that's not cool. I will say that my oversight in the seating of a formal delegation chair before now is causing me ulcers. I'm filling the slot temporarily and being battered by a couple of delegates who are angry because I'm not a delegate for their candidate. They plan to formally "run against me" at the CC for a position I'd gladly hand over right now to anyone willing to do the work. It's insane. Yet here I am spending my free time contacting their delegates and begging them not to drop out and to please come to the CC. I've even offered to pick them up and drive them there and back! I'm looking into borrowing a feakin' van for-the-love-of-chocolate! All of this bad attitude from these two has emerged just recently. What happened? :cry:

Perhaps I should up the ante from donuts to liquor? It may make this whole process easier.

[WolverineDG]

9. Sorry to hear that

I'm getting similar treatment by the folks "organizing" our convention. Whatever. And they want me to contact all their delegates? What a way to motivate people, huh?

Well, we'll both need to be hitting the hard stuff after the convention I'm sure.

dg

[sonias]

10. I told her last night I was ready to hand over the keys

It's time for the next generation to drive. She gave a great speech too. She won a slot all on her own.

I'm much older than you are - so don't be groaning.

Sonia

[WolverineDG]

6. Ours might be a nightmare

there was a planning meeting today & according to all reports, was a disaster. Not sure why, because I had to leave for an appointment shortly after it started. I had been told the meeting was later in the day, but was called by another person & told no, it was in the middle of the afternoon. Apparently, there are 2 women running around telling folks all kinds of random times for the meeting & the convention. Because of the location of the convention, the party had to agree to a ban on political signs, shirts, stickers, & pins. The Obama camp was okay with this (we're getting the site for free, dammit), but the Clinton folks were a bit miffed & asking all kinds of stupid questions, like "Well, what about bumperstickers on cars?" Are you kidding me? :eyes:

Finally someone made a motion that we all be neutral, because of this agreement & because we're all Democrats & should be working together. That motion carried, but still the bumpersticker lady was complaining. God only knows what's happening with the various committees. They seemed to think that the welcoming committee is more important than Credentials or Nominations. :wtf:

dg