caucus 2004

i just participated in my first political caucus this evening. wow! it was pretty darn cool. let me explain- i am from a state that utilizes the primary system, so the notion of "grassroots" politics has always been just that, a notion. i'd participated in and with political groups in college and for a couple of years after college. they were movements, but not grassroots as they were lacking the sense of community necessary for something to be grassroots.

tonight, it was literally exciting to go into the room for my precinct and see it filled to the brim with my neighbors. sure, i only recognized a couple of folks, but the idea that people had turned off the television for one evening to come down to the school where the caucus was held, is beautiful. and, that so many of the people were young people was nice to see.

so, my candidate didn't win in my precinct. turns out it didn't matter, since he had all but conceded the race as the caucus was starting unbeknownst to all of us...the important thing is people were talking and laughing and meeting and shaking hands and discussing. we chose delegates and alternatives for various upcoming comventions. i just kept thinking the whole time- these people are going to vote in november.