After all your comments and anticipation, I hope I don’t disappoint!

Last night was the first time I’ve ever attended a caucus. This was huge as Iowa caucus is the first one. Since we don’t have a babysitter or anyone to look after our 2 and 4.5 yr olds, Hubby had to stay home while I went alone.

The one for my precinct was less than 2 miles away at an elementary school. I arrived 15 minutes before the stated time, and found out I had to park quite far because there were so many cars! It was freezing cold, and someone walking by commented that caucus should take place in the summertime. I don’t disagree! There were signs at the entrance telling where each party needs to go. So once inside and packed into the human-sardine of a hallway in the democrat area, I filled out a form with my personal info, and another form with some basic info and who I’m caucusing for (the sheet has some 15 or 20 lines of space for others to fill out also). I darkened the “undecided” circle.

There were lots of people in the gymnasium, with signs everywhere. The Edward tables, the Hillary tables, the Obama tables, the Richardson tables and so forth. I didn’t know where to attach myself and some very nice volunteer told me there are letters from the candidates on a table where I can read more about them, their agendas, their beliefs, their last try to convince why they should be the one. I read through them all and narrowed down to Edward or Obama. I had entered the place thinking I might caucus for Hillary (with no basis whatsoever) and was surprised when I didn’t find my voice within her letter. It’s kind of cruel to base my choice on the letter, but that’s what happened.

Edward or Obama?! I found myself at the crossroad. At the end I choose Obama. It was a hard decision and I would have taken much longer to decide if given the time.

I found a spot at one of the Obama tables and sat down. There was a young military-looking guy sitting across the table. Extremely short haircut, clean and clear of any facial hair. We made small talks, and he commented did you come alone? When I replied yea, he said where’s everybody? I was puzzled, as I’ve never met him before, why did he say everybody? And without skipping a beat, I told him my husband is home with the kids because we don’t have anyone to watch them. I can see his facial expression change a little bit. We talked for a little bit more (very little) and he turned around to face the other way.

Can you believe I was hit on, at the caucus? Yes I’m one hot mama. Very hot.

A short while later, some guy came back to claim the spot where his jacket had been sitting on, which was right next to me. He asked me if this is my first caucus and I said yes it is. Turns out his wife was sitting at the Hillary table along with his daughter. I asked him some questions on how this whole thing works and what sort of thing happens tonight. He explained the whole viability issue, the realigning, the nominating of delegates, etc etc. He’s been to many caucuses he says, and this is the biggest turnout he’s ever seen.

They proceeded to call to order, and counted everyone present. I should take a moment and explain how they count the number of people. It’s very very VERY archaic. The whole time I was there, I was thinking to myself that it felt like we were living in the 1800’s where people got around via horses and wagons instead of vehicles and planes. To get the headcount, everyone is required to raise their arms and keep their arms raised until accounted for. The first person starts with “one” and as soon as s/he said it, his/her hand drops. The person next to them will say “two” and drops their hand. By the time it was my turn, my arm was pretty numb and in pain. And on and on it went to 288. There were 288 voting-age-people.

After the total was counted, everyone disperses into a corner/section of the room, depending on which candidate you’re caucusing for. And heads arms get counted to determine how many are in each group. 2nd time being counted.

Democrat caucuses have this cool stupid thing called viability. Candidates need at least 15% of the people present in order to have a delegate. 15% of 288 people is 43.2, or 43 people. Naturally for a group this big, there are lots of varying opinions and perspectives. There were several groups that were not viable (less than 43 people). What happens next is, people in the not-viable-groups need to decide what they want to do, and which viable-group they want to join in order for them to be counted. Their 2nd candidate choice. After they decide, and shift around the room (which is called realign I think), another head arm count takes place.

Can you feel my numbing and aching arm yet??

Realign happened 3 times in this particular room with this particular precinct. THREE times. Y-e-a. Very DUMB and I was numbed.

After 2+ hours, based on the number of predetermined delegates we would nominate for this precinct, which is based on the population in the precinct and not the number of turnouts, Obama got 2, Edward got 1, and Hillary got 1.

Which is quite similar to what the statewide score came up to be: Obama 38%, Edward 30%, Hillary 29%.

In this particular room, Obama group seems to be very broad and diverse in age, economic status, and race. The Edward group were mostly middle age to somewhat elderly Caucasian couples. The Hillary group were mostly women/moms with a few men in there.

I didn’t wait for the delegates to be nominated and all the other fun stuff that follows. I had been there for 2+ hours, my arms were numb and my legs/feet were sore. I came home and after putting the kids to bed, we watched the caucus and speech coverage on CSPAN. I’m not sold on voting for one candidate vs. another. Still 11 more months to go to make up my mind.

Would I go to another caucus? Probably. But I so wish the system is different. At least, use a different counting method and do away the viability junk. I really don’t understand why it needs to be in place in the democrat side when the republican side don’t use it at all.