Democracy for Vancouver

Judging from today’s caucuses, early absentee voting can be the only explanation for why Obama lost California to Clinton.

Obama’s momentum is outmatching Clinton’s stalwart support wherever the contests are held. At our caucus today, turnout was 500% of what it was for our precinct in 2004, largely on the strength of Obama excitement. Obama was winning at least 70%-30% across the board, both in the four precincts at our caucus location and at the locations attended by friends I spoke with afterwards.

It was surprising how many people came to the caucus undecided, wanting to be convinced; these probably made up at least 5% of attendees. I caucused for Edwards to start, arguing that to give him at least some delegates would help push Obama and Clinton to the left, but when no one else took that route I fell in line behind Obama. No use falling on my sword at that point.

I was selected as a delegate to the county convention on April 19, a new experience for me. I’m sure not much will change at the county and state conventions unless there’s some implosion in one of the campaigns before then, but it should be interesting nonetheless.

As for the Republicans today, more power to Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee - the more shine that can be taken off McCain’s eventual nomination, the better.