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Caucus Results Thread

Sat, 02/09/2008 - 3:55pm — Rob Richards
Let's share our caucus stories and results.

What would you say was the #1 issue talked about at the caucuses?

Update:

From the results we're seeing so far and from other sources, I think it's safe to say that Barack Obama is going to win the State of Washington in landslide fashion. Personally, this comes as not much of a surprise, as Obama has been out fund raising Clinton in the state by a pretty large margin.

I'm interested in how big a role local issues played in people's choices today. What things in Olympia will benefit from your candidate's presidency?

Comments

Mon, 02/11/2008 - 11:57am — Guglielmo

Yeah, collocated caucuses

aren't a very good idea. You lose the opportunity to have effective, satisfying conversations with your fellow precinct members. I am not at all knocking the good folks who organized the caucuses this year. I certainly wasn't out there finding rooms for individual precincts.
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 4:53pm — tctvjohn

Olympia #26

We had about 126 people turn out Obama 5 Clinton 1 Undecided 1
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 5:05pm — JulieM

Olympia #27

4 Obama 1 Clinton We had a great turnout too.
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 5:48pm — jlw

Olympia #9

Obama 7, Clinton 3 -- Rhenda Strub was elected as a Clinton delegate.

This world's crazy, give me the gun. -- P.J. Harvey

Sat, 02/09/2008 - 5:54pm — ctqwn

I like these numbers for Obama

My precinct, Sunwood Lakes, also had a phenomenal turnout, more than twice any previous numbers. And, since we currently have no PCO, our caucus location was about 7 miles away from the precinct, which was also a first. However, our group was quite evenly split between Clinton and Obama. Many folks spoke on behalf of their choice, and some did it w/ considerable passion, but everyone's mind was pretty well made up before they got there. So, we have 3 delegates for Obama, 3 for Clinton, 0 undecided, and our chosen Obama delegates were emphatic that they absolutely would not switch to Clinton.
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 5:53pm — flummel

McLane Precinct

13 Clinton, 33 Obama, 2 undecided - 4x the numbers we had show up in 2004!
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 6:36pm — pugetsoundhound

Woodard Creek 047

Participation up 500% over 2004! (50 vs. 10)

39 Obama, 11 Clinton

4 delegates Obama; 1 for Clinton.

Sat, 02/09/2008 - 6:57pm — JstPlnOnry

The AP

is declaring Obama the victor in WA

Story here

WASHINGTON (AP) - Sen. Barack Obama won caucuses in Nebraska and Washington state and battled Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Louisiana primary Saturday night in a bid to chip away at her slender delegate lead in their historic race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Obama was winning nearly 70 percent support in Nebraska, compared with 31 percent for Clinton, in caucuses with 24 delegates at stake.

He also had 67 percent support in Washington state caucuses, compared with 32 percent for Clinton with returns tallied from about one-half of the state's precincts. There were 78 delegates at stake, the largest single prize of the night.

The Democratic race moved into a new, post-Super Tuesday phase as Sen. John McCain flunked his first ballot test since becoming the Republican nominee-in-waiting. He lost Kansas caucuses to Mike Huckabee, gaining less than 24 percent of the vote.

Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor, got nearly 60 percent of the vote a few hours after telling conservatives in Washington, "I majored in miracles, and I still believe in them." He won all 36 delegates at stake.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Sen. Barack Obama won caucuses in Nebraska and Washington state and battled Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Louisiana primary Saturday night in a bid to chip away at her slender delegate lead in their historic race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Obama was winning nearly 70 percent support in Nebraska, compared with 31 percent for Clinton, in caucuses with 24 delegates at stake.

He also had 67 percent support in Washington state caucuses, compared with 32 percent for Clinton with returns tallied from about one-half of the state's precincts. There were 78 delegates at stake, the largest single prize of the night.

 

"A point of view is only a view from a point..." ~ Unknown

Sat, 02/09/2008 - 7:25pm — NotMyself

Woot CNN calls it for Obama!

Woot CNN calls it for Obama! I have never felt this engaged in an election in my life. This was the first time I attended a caucus/primary. I think my wife and I will make it a tradition.
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 7:57pm — Guglielmo

I say let's celebrate and tip one back at the Broho

...at least it's nice to have an excuse.
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 8:09pm — summerc

50 Obama 17 Clinton 2

50 Obama 17 Clinton 2 Uncommitted The MC gave a speech that included that the demo party has a commitment to marginalized populations including those of "sexy orientations." I got a belly laugh out of that one. The middle school gym was packed to the brim, but I don't know where all of my young voter peeps were. The organizers had their work cut out for them.
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 8:21pm — YLlama

215

5 Obama, 1 Clinton, 1 Uncommitted
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 8:41pm — theunabonger

Olympia #2, #19, #43

Since I was "site caucus leader" for the near westside districts that caucused at the courthouse, here are the *unofficial* results.

Olympia #02 Obama 6, Clinton 2
Olympia #19 Obama 5, Clinton 2, Uncommitted 1
Olympia #43 Obama 5, Clinton 2

Grand Total for Site, Obama: 16, Clinton: 6, Uncommitted 1

Cosmo 

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Sat, 02/09/2008 - 8:44pm — emmettoconnell

Olympia 48 (and the Knox building in general)

We went 6 delegates to Obama and 1 to Clinton. The afternoon wore me out, I was helping out with the site and there were sooo many people in line we started a bit late.

I want to apologize to all the folks in my precinct and anyone else I tried to help out (especially that guy who threw his pen down as I was trying to explain the two rounds of voting to) if you're experience today wasn't at all what you expected.

Thanks for turning out though!

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full disclosure

Sat, 02/09/2008 - 9:42pm — emmettoconnell

County-wide results

From the TC Dems (whose website didn't crash today):

Obama, 920, 67%

Clinton, 420, 31%

Uncommitted, 30, 2%

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full disclosure

Sat, 02/09/2008 - 11:53pm — playforchange

220 - Knox

It was my first caucus - and my nearly one-year-old daughter's first caucus as well. It was like the rare heavy snow day in Olympia, but with more purpose and hope. Neighbors coming out all at the same time together and catching up (hugging even)while debating and standing up for their beliefs, hopes and dreams. By 3:30, we came to this result: 5 - Obama 1 - Clinton I will be serving as a delegate for the first time with my baby on my back. I'm not quite sure what I got myself into. Any words of advice?
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 11:57pm — playforchange

Knox 220 cont.

And in answer to your question...the issues we talked most about were foreign policy, health care, and the ability to win the national election.
Sun, 02/10/2008 - 1:14am — pbzep13

Oly 41, Ron Paul Wins!

Or do people who actually want the war to end not count? Obama will not save you!
—
Ego cogito, ergo ego dubito, ergo ego sum.
Sun, 02/10/2008 - 1:32am — Ehver Green

This whole thread is

This whole thread is amazing.  Isn't this what it should be about?  Thanks to everyone who has posted this evening - the turnout is telling.  Obama looking good.

EDIT:  Olyblog was my first news source for results tonight!

Sun, 02/10/2008 - 1:57am — Debmonstrative

#21 and five other precincts caucusing at Roosevelt Elementary

Hey everyone; one of these days I'll be more of a regular commenter (and get new baby pictures organized on Flickr and give out the link)...but for now I'll at least report a bit of my caucus experience. Roosevelt School was absolutely packed. The end result -- combined total for all six precincts there -- was 18 or 19 for Obama and 4 for Clinton.

Here's a sad story, though. I've been going to Roosevelt, ONE block from my house, to vote or caucus for years. I have friends to the north and to the south who were going to Roosevelt also. When I got there, there were a couple precinct maps delineating the blocks immediately to the north of me, the blocks immediately to the south, the blocks to the west, and also to the east. I went to different tables trying to find the block in between (my block). By the time I realized my block had been "bumped" from the entire area, it was too late to walk back to my house, load up the twins, and drive to Reeves Middle School, over a MILE away. Yes, there are a couple of blocks that have been plucked from the middle of the logical precincts and kicked over to an entirely illogical and inconvenient new caucus location! WHAT IS UP WITH THAT!?

Anyway, I stayed at Roosevelt to hang out and try to have fun and catch the mood and hear the issues. I did totally enjoy the whole, packed, ordeal, but in retrospect I'm getting a little depressed that I missed "voting" for the first time in my entire adult life. Yes, I should have checked the location. But if friends in the surrounding blocks were going to the same location and we've all been going there for years, I wouldntve thought! Damn.

The thing most talked about within my earshot was the new twin boys. They are doing well but still only 6 1/2 pounds so unbearably cute. Some guy put an Obama sticker on their stroller without first asking me if I supported Obama...he stuck it on and THEN asked me. Fortunately, if I'd been able, I would have cast my vote for Obama anyway. But I was amused by this.

Debora

Sun, 02/10/2008 - 1:25pm — thepotterjohn

Olympia 57

Obama 3, Uncommitted 1 and Hillary 0

We were in Roosevelt and it was crowded, disorganized and confusing. People had little idea how, when or for who they could vote.

The larger groups drowned out the others at will- VERY disrespectful and poor leadership.

Being somewhat politically savvy, I took over speaking for the soft spoken officer and tried to clarify if we could still vote for Kucinich or Edwards, strongly believe we can, but party sure did not tell us, I believe on purpose. But ended up creating an "Uncommitted" block for one delegate from the 6 of us supporting Edwards and Kucinich. Made a speech for Kucinich stating we need a candidate that has defined platform that includes. 1) End the war. 2) Create Department of Peace. 3) Support immediate Impeachment proceedings and criminal prosecution of Administration war crimes. 4) Honorable and fair Healthcare not run by Corporate Pharmaceuticals. 5) Banking and Election reforms that prevent S&L's Corporate Personhood and SubPrime Mortgage fraud.

Many agreed Hillary is more of the same (20 plus years Bush/Clinton- NO!) and Obama not clear on issues or action.

Better luck next time- Resolution on impeachment submitted and I got elected the uncommitted delegate to drive an honest platform. Forget the symptoms, we need cures- Impeach NOW!

Sun, 02/10/2008 - 4:50pm — crashnostar

Oly 4 and 5 (Downtown)

Oly 4: Obama 7 Clinton 0
Oly 5: Obama 7 Clinton 2
Sun, 02/10/2008 - 9:19pm — Jeff Brigham

Tumwater 408: Two for Huckabee

Two from Tumwater 408 for Mike Huckabee. Yes, a disappointing turnout for 408. Other precincts there had 8-10 but only two for 408.

Jeff Brigham

"America’s greatest chapter is still to be written, for the best is yet to come."
President Ronald Reagan
—

Jeff Brigham

"The best defense against terrorism is a strong offensive against terrorists. That work continues.”

President George W. Bush

Sun, 02/10/2008 - 10:48pm — The Original Yoda

Anyone know where to find turnout info?

I'd like to know the numbers for caucus participation for each party.

Donkeys and Elephants. ;)

Cheers, Rob!

Mon, 02/11/2008 - 7:00am — emmettoconnell

When they figure it out,

When they figure it out, they'll post it here. In 2004, there was apparently around 100,000 for the Dem side, so probably more than that this year.
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full disclosure

Sat, 02/09/2008 - 8:55pm — Rob Richards

Thanks Emmett,

I was watching the CNN live feed online of a precinct in Seattle as they were explaining the process and it seemed way too complicated. I really think electing leaders should be made much simpler, for many reasons.

Can you talk about some of the frustrations you witnessed, what they were specifically in regards to, and any ideas you have to make this process a little smoother?

image

Sun, 02/10/2008 - 1:21am — Guglielmo

He won't save "you"

but he might save "us."
Wed, 02/13/2008 - 2:22am — Debmonstrative

Ooh, try saying "collocated caucuses" 10 times very fast

nt
Sun, 02/10/2008 - 10:05am — emmettoconnell

What WAS up with that (why you got moved)

There were a lot of distance issues this year, mostly because we expected a lot of folks to come out and we were trying to pair up large spaces with large turn out precincts.

Granted, the day of turn out was likely waaaay different than what we could have predicted, but that was the reason we shuffled some precincts around. 

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full disclosure

Sun, 02/10/2008 - 1:54pm — Guglielmo

Obama "not clear on issues or action?"

Don't believe it for a second. Just read his Blue Print for Chanage and see that this candidate has a strategic vision that goes far beyond remediating the effects of the Bush administration. In this document he clearly details his goals and policy approaches regarding

  • Ethics
  • Health Care
  • The Economy
  • Seniors
  • Education
  • Energy
  • Fiscal Policy
  • Rural Issues
  • Women
  • Immigration
  • Poverty
  • Public Service
  • Civi Rights
  • Foreign Policy
  • Veterans 

Read it, then judge for yourselves if it is not clear on issues or action.

Sat, 02/09/2008 - 9:46pm — emmettoconnell

The most common difficulty

The most common difficulty had to do with how we refer to the individual precincts. For example Precinct 220 is the same as Olympia 20, the 200 just refers to Olympia.

There was also a lot of questions about how long people needed to hang around (like the guy that threw his pen and walked out).

There was also some problems with people not signing in their preference when they first signed in, mostly because the instructions on the sign in sheet indicated they should do so was very very light.

Plus the first room we were in was crowded and hot. But, people kept it together and I think we did an ok job. I just think we should do things like this more often so we get used to it. 

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full disclosure

Sun, 02/10/2008 - 2:25pm — Robert Whitlock

G'Obama!

nt

In the Course of Events

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Sat, 02/09/2008 - 9:52pm — Guglielmo

I think it went pretty smoothly considering

I was at Knox. Fine job.
Sun, 02/10/2008 - 3:13pm — PeaceCompass

Knox

Knox=hot+standing+crowded+fire alarm pulled

jeez

 

happy with the turnout though!

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Sun, 02/10/2008 - 3:15pm — emmettoconnell

Actually, that was John

Actually, that was John Greer, the fire alarm "leaner." Apparently, you can fire one of those off with the full weight of a Democratic precinct committee officer.

It was hot though. I pulled off my sweater at about 105p and showed off my brand new Seattle FC t-shirt.

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full disclosure

Sat, 02/09/2008 - 9:56pm — Rick

At Washington Middle School...

...we tried to caucus 5 or 6 precincts in one gymnasium (all along one set of bleachers). It was chaos. Each precinct should have its own room.


> It's OK to be nice. <
enpen's social contract
—

Beware the terrible simplifiers.
Jacob Burckhardt
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 10:46pm — emmettoconnell

My understanding about the

My understanding about the rooms vs. gym debate is that the Oly School District wouldn't allow caucuses in individual class rooms. So, we were stuck trying to find the best solutions in common areas of school buildings.

Many times that meant cramping more than one caucus in one large room.

And, just as background, the folks that planned the caucus locations used attendance records from four years ago, the last time we had a high turnout caucus cycle. Things have changed since then, hard to predict where the high turnout precincts will be. 

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full disclosure

Sat, 02/09/2008 - 11:19pm — Rick

Any idea...

...why the SD won't allow individual caucuses in classrooms?


> It's OK to be nice. <
enpen's social contract
—

Beware the terrible simplifiers.
Jacob Burckhardt
Sun, 02/10/2008 - 10:08am — emmettoconnell

student privacy, etc...

Students leave materials in class rooms, so understandably (at least to me), they didn't want folks going in there and possibly taking something.

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full disclosure

Mon, 02/11/2008 - 11:49am — jlw

Same thing at McKenny Elementary School in SE

I'm not sure how many precincts there were there in the elementary school gym -- at least four, and maybe as many as seven -- and it was really chaotic. People stood on tables to shout instructions to their precincts, and either everyone in the gym heard, or no one did. Are precincts smaller than elementary school districts? It would be nice if every precinct had their own space. A few of the people in my precinct wanted to make a pitch for their candidate, and it was just impossible for them to be heard over the din of the other precincts.

This world's crazy, give me the gun. -- P.J. Harvey

Mon, 02/11/2008 - 1:15am — thepotterjohn

Standing firm

I stand right with what I said, Obama has clearly supported war and in the Middle East in particular several times. The HOW is glaringly absent in all his claims for tax relief etc.... Another example- He says he will "Fight for Fair Trade: Obama will fight for a trade policy that opens up foreign markets to support good American jobs." I would really rather something like, "I will dismantle the punitive NAFTA agreement within my first year and restore integrity to all agreements with clear environmental standards agreed to in the Kyoto Protocol" He sounds awesome and may be coy, but I am betting not. Where's the beef? I still support Kucinich and Edwards, but Obama has populism down pat and that may be enough....sure been needing some! LOL
Mon, 02/11/2008 - 1:18am — security_six

He says

 He believes in the constitution but wants to ban certain types of guns...  go figure...  I think nearly all the candidates are two faced, saying anything to get elected and then will pander to whatever interests supported them.  I think Ron Paul is the most honest of any of them.

 

One loves to posess arms, though they hope to never have occassion for them.

Thomas Jefferson to George Washington 1796

—

 

This is a non political tag line and cannot be linked up through a twisted thought process to an obscure company making specialty tools.  

Mon, 02/11/2008 - 7:58am — Guglielmo

I would RATHER see a lot of different things in our candidates.

Still, your original summation of Obama's stands on the issues and his specific plans to deal with them was quite wrong. As a former Edwards supporter, I am now compelled to support the next best viable candidate who most closely shares my vision of America, and that person is Obama.
Sun, 02/10/2008 - 1:37am — The Original Yoda

We haven't heard much from the Republicans...

...just curious. How many participants in Oly 41?
Wed, 02/13/2008 - 7:32am — emmettoconnell

In 2004

I remember having a caucus in the multipurpose room at Margret McKinney four years ago and it wasn't that bad. I think with the extra large turnout this year, that kind of arrangment became unbearable.

BTW, we'd love to have you help us find rooms next time around. Just give us a shout.

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full disclosure

Sun, 02/10/2008 - 10:59am — OperaGirl

I am impressed with how calm

I am impressed with how calm you were about it!  I don't know that I would have been able to control all my surging "new baby" hormones and turned into a puddle of tears!  Ha.  =)  Can't wait to see pics of the new babies...I'm glad they are doing well and also hope that you are getting some rest too! 

Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life. ~Ludwig van Beethoven

—
Music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life. ~Ludwig van Beethoven
Mon, 02/11/2008 - 5:03am — Debmonstrative

Thanks for saying

Actually, my pregnancy was so retarded, and the birth/hospital stay/NICU so intense, that nothing usually bothers me anymore by comparison, plus I finally have two little happy faces to show for it all. That said, that sentiment could change if another Republican attains the top office. Love your Beethoven quote btw.
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 4:02pm — NotMyself

Lacey #31 Obama 4 / Clinton 1

Already posted to my blog. I will say there was a significant amount of confusion at my precinct. I don't think they were expecting the number of people that showed up.
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 4:20pm — Guglielmo

Olympia 218 (The Meta Hogan Key Stone)

7 Obama

1 Clinton

1 Unassigned

 Knox Center was packed. Never, ever, ever seen so many people at a caucus.  That was the number one thng we talked about.

Sat, 02/09/2008 - 5:30pm — Robert Whitlock

Oly 218 update, 8 to 1 : Obama to Clinton

The final (unofficial) tally was: 8 Obama 1 Clinton
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Sat, 02/09/2008 - 5:37pm — Guglielmo

Cool, they got enough votes to assign the last delegate

How did they get them to commit or was it just more new voters walking in the door?
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 6:11pm — Robert Whitlock

committing

I am not exactly sure, but it seemed like a few of the undecideds changed to Obama.
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Sat, 02/09/2008 - 6:13pm — Robert Whitlock

Oly 218

There were over 100 people from Olympia #218 signed in.
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Sat, 02/09/2008 - 8:40pm — emmettoconnell

didn't I see you in line?

Dude, wasn't it freaking hot in there?
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full disclosure

Sun, 02/10/2008 - 2:23pm — Robert Whitlock

It was hot in there!

It was hot despite the fact that the doors were swung wide open! Emmett, You did a great job, despite the heat. People seem to be revved up for democracy. I thought it was exciting to see such a packed house. I also saw that the precinct #218 donation bag was full of cash, any news on the fund-raising results?
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Sat, 02/09/2008 - 4:30pm — The Original Yoda

Olympia #49

Over 100 people. 33% participation we were told (is that right?). We had about 71 people for Obama, 21 for Clinton, 1 for Gravel, 1 for Kucinich and 20-some for Undecided. Not a whole lot of movement from one camp to another.

6 delegates for Obama

2 delegates for Clinton

1 delegate for Unassigned

There were Hilary posters everywhere but it was obvious that almost everyone was for Obama. It was noisy and smelly but everyone was smiling and happy. I would have liked to see more young folks. Average age was probably 35.

Sat, 02/09/2008 - 4:21pm — NotMyself

What is with the unassigned?

What is with the unassigned? Why bother showing up?
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 4:25pm — Guglielmo

Grumpy, dissaffected

Kucinich supporters?
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 4:45pm — The Original Yoda

I wondered the same thing, too.

Apparently, it is a strategy to keep progressive issues at the front. Just as Edwards drove Hilary and Obama toward a more progressive agenda, the hope is "undeclared" will do the same.
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 4:28pm — IFerguson

Tumwater 401 or 1

THill Elementary was packed and confused for a while, but we got sorted out surprisingly fast with the one map we had for 12 districts in one room. My precinct was referred to as 1 and as 401, so I don't know which is what, but we had 40 some-odd people there and are sending 4 Obama delegates and 2 Clinton delegates.

In our brief discussion, issues raised included war readiness and experience, health care, gender, and there was a lot said which I could not hear. The caucus format was messy and disorganized, and I don't have a lot of confidence in the accuracy of the results, but it beat the heck out of voting, and I met neighbors I didn't know. And every precinct I've heard about had my guy leading, so I'm happy about that. A bigger precinct nearby went 6 to 2 for Obama.

Sat, 02/09/2008 - 4:30pm — IFerguson

where are folks going for...

comprehensive tallies? I've been using the NYTimes web site. Other favorites?
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 4:34pm — NotMyself

just watching CNN and

just watching CNN and waiting for results.
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 4:42pm — NotMyself

I would say the most amusing

I would say the most amusing part of it all was the sheer number of elderly I got to explain what "GLBT? (Optional)" meant. One poor guy stared at me like I was propositioning him. I got quite a chuckle out of that.
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 4:46pm — Guglielmo

That was hilarious

One old guy said it sounded like a sandwitch.
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 5:21pm — rebecca

explanation, please

That's not a presidential candidate, is it? Were you discussing platform issues? I'm really dumb and I do know what GLBT stands for . . . but I'm not sure how it fits into this context.
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 5:25pm — NotMyself

On the signin sheet it had a

On the signin sheet it had a box labeled "GLBT (Optional)" which means "Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Tansgendered." There was also an optional race box as well.
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 5:26pm — Guglielmo

The signup sheets at the Dem caususes

ask about race, dissability, and GLBT status (if you wished to provide the information). I just printed "Happy" in the little box
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 5:44pm — rebecca

Oh

I get it. I was trying to figure out what it meant to vote for "GLBT (optional)".
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 4:47pm — Rick

Olympia #42

Obama 4/ Clinton 1. Super big turnout.


> It's OK to be nice. <
enpen's social contract
—

Beware the terrible simplifiers.
Jacob Burckhardt
Sat, 02/09/2008 - 4:51pm — Sarah

Local blogger weighs in

So, I know that you’re on the edge of your seat, so I’ll tell you the outcome. In our tiny precinct, represented by 48 registered democrats, Hillary Clinton secured 13 votes and the senator from Illinois claimed 33 and 2 folks stayed with undecided. My guess is that NBC News will announce that Washington state went with that fine Irish lad, Barak O’Bama.
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