Comments on: SuperDuperUltraMegaTsunami Tuesday

By: Scholars and Rogues » If this is grassroots politics, it’s time to xeriscape

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 06:25:19 +0000

[...] 5, 2008 by Brian Angliss under 2008 election, Democracy, Democrats, politics [ Comments: none ] This morning I said I wasn’t going to caucus. I said that I couldn’t manage it with two kids, and still couldn’t decide whether [...]

By: Brian Angliss

Brian Angliss — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 04:56:30 +0000

I made it to my caucus after all, with Djerred’s and his wife’s help. I’ll have a blog about my first caucusing experience up shortly.

By: Frank Venturo

Frank Venturo — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:01:53 +0000

I am sympathetic to maximizing participation in a primary, but I am very concerned about losing the grassroots participation in the political process that caucuses provide. If we stop meeting with each other face-to-face in meaningful discourse about the issues that concern us, then I fear we are more susceptible to control and manipulation by power elites.

By: Djerrid

Djerrid — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:36:05 +0000

I remember being pretty pissed about five years ago when the Republican controlled statehouse here in Colorado got rid of the primaries in favor of caucuses. They said it was in order to save money. I’ve always had a feeling that the GOP wanted to stop the dems from having a dry run at voting for Kerry.

Now there will be tens of thousands of people who can’t commit to the extra hour it takes to caucus. The delegates will then go towards the candidate which has the best organization rather than the one who best reflects the will of the people. And I’ve seen first hand that Obama has the upper hand in the grassroots.

As a precinct captain for Obama I have been extremely impressed with how well put together and well organized his campaign has been run. From the inside I’ve seen independent grassroots organizations blending seamlessly with the national campaign. Especially considering he has built this all from scratch in one year and going against the largest and most established political machine this side of the aisle. It has always been my belief that you can tell a good deal about how a candidate would run the White House by how they run their campaign. And all of this seemingly effortless coordination bodes well for how he would handle his office and gives him an inherent edge in caucuses.

That being said, I still morn the thousands of you who can’t participate in these states with closed primaries and caucuses.

By: Rho

Rho — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:45:57 +0000

I’m with Sam. I have to attend class tonight so I am out of it as well. A primary would at least have allowed me to participate even if I can’t stand any of the options posed by my party, this year or for the last 16 years either.

By: Dr. Slammy

Dr. Slammy — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:42:40 +0000

Frank: There’s a trade-off, though. I have to teach tonight and can’t go. In a primary structure like we have for other offices I could participate.

By: Frank Venturo

Frank Venturo — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:08:06 +0000

Caucuses do pose a problem for working families and primaries are more convenient. Nevertheless, this election cycle presents an opportunity for real grassroots involvement in caucus states such as Colorado. Since the mid-sixties the ruling elites have made a concerted effort to discourage grassroots participation. This is a unique opportunity for more people to actually participate in the process of nominating candidates.Note,also,the major effect of the caucus is on local participation and local candidates and issues. I’m glad to hear Djerrid will be taking children to the caucus. Encourage every parent you know to do this if possible.

By: Brian Angliss

Brian Angliss — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:14:11 +0000

The problem is that Jennifer is working (so she won’t be able to caucus either) and there’s no way I can handle both kids and caucus myself at the same time. Not when they’re tired already today, will be more tired, and almost the entire caucus is after their bedtime.

Supposedly caucusing is easier and cheaper, and I was looking forward to being convinced by one camp or the other, but today I wish we had a primary instead. That way I could feel a little less out of the loop.

By: Djerrid

Djerrid — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:40:55 +0000

Wow. And here I was ready to email you where our caucus location is (Legacy High School) and which precinct you belong to (4) and you can feel free to bring your kids (we’re bringing ours).

Ah, well. If your wife is willing and able pass along this info and we’ll see her tonight.