Biden was viable in our precinct

but it was sketchy at times. We had almost three times as many people show up this year than four years ago. As a result, we were in cramped quarters and had to separate into different rooms which didn't give much of an opportunity for persuasion. No one gave speeches regarding their candidate because it would have been one person going into a room of another candidate's supporters. We started out with 47 supporters, but needed 64 to be viable. We grabbed ten from Richardson who started out with 42 supporters. Some of them went to Edwards. We lost a couple Biden supporters in the process. I convinced the Hillary people to give us nine people so we could become viable by letting one of their people be the delegate. Essentially, the delegate is under the Biden name, but is a Hillary supporter. By doing this, Edwards got one less delegate. The support that Obama had was incredible - 185. They didn't need to do any negotiating at all and basically locked themselves in a room. Because we had so many people our precinct caucus chair wanted to move things fast so we only had ten minutes to become viable. It was crazy! Coming out I really thought that Biden was probably picking up a delegate in most precincts, but soon found out otherwise. Also, no Dodd presence whatsoever, and a couple for Kucinich who didn't bother forming a group but went with other candidates from the start. Just want to mention that I had a co-captain and two other solid experience caucus goers who worked wonders. We would not have been viable without them.

We went down to the Biden party at the Science Center feeling good about being viable and getting a delegate. Joe gave a great speech, and am glad we went down to see him. I wonder if they showed much of it on tv. There were taking pictures and will be posting them on the flicker site. He truly added a lot to this campaign!

Just a couple of things I want to mention in talking with Biden pc captains/supporters from other precincts. Joe has more support here than 1%. He was almost viable in a number of precincts and I know of one in Western Polk County where he missed it by one (59/60).

I don't regret for a second supporting Joe. I still believe he is the best person to lead this county. He will just have to do it from the Senate. Also, I hate to say this, but I'm not sure I care so much for the caucus math part. I really like that it's open and people can talk to everyone and try to persuade them towards a candidate, but achieving viability leaves a lot of supporters not being able to truly vote for their candidate.

Also, just an aside, I think voting licenses should be required. Maybe pass a test of sorts, or agree to take a look at all the candidates. I don't know. Not very democratic, but I'm baffled by the outcome. Okay strike that idea, sort of.

One more aside, I don't post much, but have appreciated reading the posts here. Your enthusiastic support for Joe made organizing and calling people to caucus easier. I have no idea who I will be supporting now. I'm going to have to dig really deep, but that will wait for a few weeks...

Good night!

And we always love seeing you here!! :hi:

This is a great place to be.

It doesn't sound so bad when I hear your on the ground version. Still sucks though!

I'm still trying to figure out which grief stage I'm in. I tried really hard not to take it too personally and internalize it too much.

We saw about 1 minute of Biden's speech. I guess he started it the same time Obama was giving his (kinda symbolic of the whole campaign - huh- uh!) I am anxiously waiting for the campaign to post it. I need to see it, as the first step in the mourning process. :)

I don't know who I am going to support either. I support Joe Biden - all the other candidates don't even come close...

thanks for all you did dsmmom!!!

Thanks for all the information you posted. My Biden knowledge has increased tenfold.

I know everyone is so disappointed. I cried for 2 days when Wes Clark dropped out of the race in 2004, having worked for him for almost 6 months.

Best therapy? Cry, play loud music and scream, ride a bike viciously, punch a pillow. It does help to get it out.

Time fortunately heals all wounds.

:grouphug:

I will definitely try it, and throw in a pint of Ben & Jerry's. No wait, didn't they support Edwards or someone other than Biden. It's haagen daz from now on.

I agree with you about the caucus system not being totally representative of the voters wants. I also agree about many of the voters not being very educated on the candidates. This is why I was secretly wishing for horrible weather for last night. I figure all the flaky less committed caucusers would have stayed home. And we all know the bidenites would have made it out. Well we still have joe as a powerful force in our govt. Thanks again for your superb effort!

I think some kind of reform is needed. Will be interesting to see what happend in four years. Yepsen with the DSM Register is predicting that Iowa will stay first, if for no other reason than they can't come up with a better idea. I hope he's wrong, although I would really miss all the great opportunites we've had to see the candidates. We're truly lucky!

My kids and grandkids ran into the same situation, but they didn't have as much cooperation or possible cooperation from the top 3 to make their numbers. At least we had that.

The problem was the huge turnout.

Thank you for doing and getting what you did.

I'm numb.

I have to give kudos to Obama for turning people out. I'm not sure what the attraction is... no wait I do, but I just don't buy into the "change" thing. I had a chance to talk to some other pc's at the party last night and the same thing happened in many precincts. They tried to work the numbers, but the other candidates pc's weren't budging. He came close in so many. I just with that somehow his true support could be shown. The 1% is not representative.

Thanks for all your hard work too! Believe that it made a difference, because it did!