Remembering the Iowa caucus
I voted today in a local election. By coincidence, I got the same parking space I'd used when I caucused back in January. I remember it because it was a tight fit and the ground was icy and treacherous that night. Today, I slipped in the mud on a muggy, rainy day. The woman who checked me in and handed me my ballot had also been at the Democratic caucus.
On caucus night, I was surprised by the crowd that came to support Obama. Every election cycle for decades, I've heard that younger voters were finally mobilizing and would make a real difference. I'd stopped believing. But that night it happened, with one of my daughters helping organize the Obama preference group. Later, I wrote, "I'm almost afraid of the optimism I now feel. Yes, my candidate came in second. But the two candidates I think of as the best of the Dem's slate came in first, and the turnout was excellent. Participation is a good thing."
I still remember the expressions of shock on the faces of the Clinton precinct captains when they not only didn't win the greatest number of votes, but came in behind the Edwards group I helped captain. (I do not regret backing Edwards. I joined his campaign even though I doubted he had a chance of winning because I believed he was pushing important items onto the agenda. I still think he changed the focus of the campaign for the better with his emphasis on issues like health care and poverty. Besides, I had some great arguments with my family.)
What pains me is that at the caucus Democrats were talking about having an "embarrassment of riches" in our choice of candidates. Discussion was about issues, not personalities. It hurts that what started out, for me at least, as a cheerful experience in pure democracy turned into such a bitter season.
At the time of the caucus, I still believed Clinton was the likely nominee. I also thought that we would not nominate a black man for president, that we weren't "ready." My daughter told me I was behind the times, that attitudes really have changed. I was never happier to be proved wrong. I don't know if Obama can fix even half the things that have gone wrong, but the fact that he ran such a smart campaign gives me hope he can run a smart administration. The fact that so many people supported his campaign gives me hope that they will also support that administration.
And, damn, it hurts to hope. Cynicism is so much more comfortable.
For now, the drama continues. I've been watching the headlines on TPM Election Central all day.
Obama Rolls Out A Super-Delegate
Uncommitted Super-Delegate: We Want The Race To Be Over This Week
Obama To Host DNC Fundraiser Tomorrow Night
Senior Obama Aide: No Expectation That Group Of Senators Will Endorse Him Today
McAuliffe: If Obama Gets Magic Number, Hillary Will Concede
Senators Failed To Reach Endorsement Decision; Privately Discussed Joint Ticket
Breaking From AP: Hillary Will Concede Tonight
Hillary Campaign: She Will Not Concede Tonight
Obama Racks Up More Super-Delegates In Home Stretch
Why Does Hillary Continue? Because It Strengthens Her Emotional Grip On Her Supporters
AP: Obama Has Clinched The Nomination
Hillary Supporter Dianne Feinstein: The Race Is Over, Make Hillary Veep
Obama Nets Over A Dozen Super-Delegates So Far Today
Hillary Campaign Downplays Reports That She Said She'd Be "Open" To Being Veep
Pro-Hillary Super-Del Defects To Obama, Putting Him A Dozen Away From Nomination
In spite of the contradictory statements from the Clinton campaign, it does look like this is finally it, but it will be interesting to see if Hillary concedes by the end of the week or if she just suspends her campaign.
ETA: I just heard that the Clinton campaign is telling the Obama campaign she doesn't want the VP slot, but that he shouldn't pick another woman, because she is the standard bearer for women in the party. This was on MSNBC. I don't know if that's confirmed anywhere. Does anyone have it attributed? I hope it's not true, because that's a kind of egoism that I can not tolerate. There are many strong and successful women in politics, and Clinton is not, to use a fandom term, such a special snowflake as all that.
On caucus night, I was surprised by the crowd that came to support Obama. Every election cycle for decades, I've heard that younger voters were finally mobilizing and would make a real difference. I'd stopped believing. But that night it happened, with one of my daughters helping organize the Obama preference group. Later, I wrote, "I'm almost afraid of the optimism I now feel. Yes, my candidate came in second. But the two candidates I think of as the best of the Dem's slate came in first, and the turnout was excellent. Participation is a good thing."
I still remember the expressions of shock on the faces of the Clinton precinct captains when they not only didn't win the greatest number of votes, but came in behind the Edwards group I helped captain. (I do not regret backing Edwards. I joined his campaign even though I doubted he had a chance of winning because I believed he was pushing important items onto the agenda. I still think he changed the focus of the campaign for the better with his emphasis on issues like health care and poverty. Besides, I had some great arguments with my family.)
What pains me is that at the caucus Democrats were talking about having an "embarrassment of riches" in our choice of candidates. Discussion was about issues, not personalities. It hurts that what started out, for me at least, as a cheerful experience in pure democracy turned into such a bitter season.
At the time of the caucus, I still believed Clinton was the likely nominee. I also thought that we would not nominate a black man for president, that we weren't "ready." My daughter told me I was behind the times, that attitudes really have changed. I was never happier to be proved wrong. I don't know if Obama can fix even half the things that have gone wrong, but the fact that he ran such a smart campaign gives me hope he can run a smart administration. The fact that so many people supported his campaign gives me hope that they will also support that administration.
And, damn, it hurts to hope. Cynicism is so much more comfortable.
For now, the drama continues. I've been watching the headlines on TPM Election Central all day.
Obama Rolls Out A Super-Delegate
Uncommitted Super-Delegate: We Want The Race To Be Over This Week
Obama To Host DNC Fundraiser Tomorrow Night
Senior Obama Aide: No Expectation That Group Of Senators Will Endorse Him Today
McAuliffe: If Obama Gets Magic Number, Hillary Will Concede
Senators Failed To Reach Endorsement Decision; Privately Discussed Joint Ticket
Breaking From AP: Hillary Will Concede Tonight
Hillary Campaign: She Will Not Concede Tonight
Obama Racks Up More Super-Delegates In Home Stretch
Why Does Hillary Continue? Because It Strengthens Her Emotional Grip On Her Supporters
AP: Obama Has Clinched The Nomination
Hillary Supporter Dianne Feinstein: The Race Is Over, Make Hillary Veep
Obama Nets Over A Dozen Super-Delegates So Far Today
Hillary Campaign Downplays Reports That She Said She'd Be "Open" To Being Veep
Pro-Hillary Super-Del Defects To Obama, Putting Him A Dozen Away From Nomination
In spite of the contradictory statements from the Clinton campaign, it does look like this is finally it, but it will be interesting to see if Hillary concedes by the end of the week or if she just suspends her campaign.
ETA: I just heard that the Clinton campaign is telling the Obama campaign she doesn't want the VP slot, but that he shouldn't pick another woman, because she is the standard bearer for women in the party. This was on MSNBC. I don't know if that's confirmed anywhere. Does anyone have it attributed? I hope it's not true, because that's a kind of egoism that I can not tolerate. There are many strong and successful women in politics, and Clinton is not, to use a fandom term, such a special snowflake as all that.
