We don't have the final delegate tally today. Two people in our group signed in and failed to vote for anyone and left. This was a failure to explain clearly where to cast your initial vote on the sign in sheet or to make sure that all the people present understood what was said. It served as a lesson to all of us to get answers and listen and wait.
This year's caucus differed from 4 years ago in several ways: significantly higher turnout, especially among minorities and the elderly; there were only 2 candidates instead of an entire field; none of the voters present came forward with talking points for either of the candidates, so there was no depth of discussion to sway anyone from one side to the other. Last time we separated into tables and had discussions and swayed folks before the second vote. This time three people gave brief insubstantial opinions about candidate generalities and no one offered depth of information about specific agenda points (e.g., education, the war, healthcare). There may have been someone there with the information, but none came forward. This division bothered me as it smacked of an inability or even a lack of desire to talk with one another. Was it apathy? How opposite the passion in the room. Perhaps I misunderstood. I was truly hoping someone would answer some questions. Isn't a major Democratic point this year the need to unify and talk with one another, to come together? If our group was representative, there was a desire for change, but not a desire to talk, come together, or unify. It wasn't nasty. Not at all. There was a kindness and joy in the room, but with an intense vibration underneath. I think, perhaps, what I witnessed was more of a live and let live attitude.
There was excitement on each side for her/his candidate. THIS was different from last time and was in itself exciting. People were (unlike last time) leaping up to volunteer to be delegates, despite the time commitment and obligation. THIS was huge. This is change in itself. There were a lot of young adults staying the whole time, smiling, thrilled to see democracy in action, relishing the process. THIS is huge.
Our group sent 6 delegates for Obama and 2 for Clinton. I do not know the overall tally for the 37th. It will be posted later.
Final thoughts: As a party, we must break the crust of "live and let live" and unite through dialogue behind a person. We have embraced our potential as voting Americans, as diverse people with a united agenda. Let's make it official and truly unite. Our country needs to move forward with another cosmic shift.
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