http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004174796_caucusmain10m.html

Sen. Barack Obama easily won Washington's Democratic caucuses Saturday, besting rival Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton as overflow crowds embraced Obama's message of hope and rejected the notion that the freshman senator wasn't ready to be president.

"You got to believe, don't you?" said Bev Grace, an 83-year-old Obama supporter in Vancouver. Grace said she was raised as a Republican and her husband and son are veterans. But she's had enough of war and liked Obama's opposition to U.S. involvement in Iraq.
________________________________________________________________________________


I attended my caucus yesterday, and I was amazed at the number of people that showed up. We had an overflowing crowd that had to be squeezed in with a shoe horn. After hearing Obama at Key Arena on Friday I was inspired to participate in the caucus. One had to be there to feel the energy. I haven't had that feeling since my Youth, when Civil Rights and the Vietnam War, were issues. Obama fired up and energized the crowd, like no other candidate has. The majority of Washingtonian looked past his race, and found a message that provided hope. That's what we as a nation need now is hope and change. He represented that for us. All races, age groups, gender, gays, straights, religions,......you name it, showed up at the rally and at the caucus.

BTW, I was elected an Obama delegate from my my Precinct.

I normally don't get involved in Politic's on these board's. I have my reasons.
I will say this though, I've been a Union member since 92. And I've never voted Rep...ever. Unless something change's real quick, I won't be voting Dem on this one.

And that's all I've got to say about that.

Peace out.

Mf

Satan will get the nominee......

It's a testament to just how badly the Republicans have fouled things up that a black man and a woman are the frontrunners in the Democratic race, and that national polls place either of them as a winner over McCain, who is going to be nominated because he has distanced himself from the radical right portion of the Republican Party, the part that has been running the show the past seven years.

Even Washington Republicans gave as many caucus delegate votes to Ron Paul, the only Republican who is even recognizable as a true Republican, rather than the sad bastardization of conservatism that has overtaken the party...well, not quite as many votes, but he still got 20% or so of the votes here.

Obama winning 2:1 for the Dems, and McCain and Huckabee finishing barely ahead of Ron Paul...just goes to show you just how progressive Washingtonians are, and how much they want to get past the last seven years as emphatically and quickly as possible...

Fish on...

Todd

Todd........

Are you serious?? Boy, oh boy, those Republicans are powerful dudes, eh?

Is this more of "I'm not responsible for my actions?" Kind of a lawyer thing, you know.

Fixed you're typo Todd

Obama rocks. The guy is spot on in my opinion, and is the only hope for our country to get out of the mess Bush has made.

Obama is the only one running that cant be blamed for this disaster we're in.

Oh, sweet irony.

ESL

I thought the opinion expressed was sad enough...I wasn't going to rub it in by pointing out the excellent grammar and spelling...thanks for doing it for me, fellas.

Fish on...

Todd

The only "hope" I can imagine for this country would be to bring back Teddy...

Relax counselor, I was messing with you left wingers..

Way relaxed at this end...you?



Cool new emoticons!

Fish on...

Todd

Yeah, they come in purdy handy.....

Attended my precinct caucus yesterday. We have 7 delagates, assigned 5 for Obama and 2 for Clinton. I was surprised. I expected it to be close or that Clinton would have the edge.

Yeah it's funny stupid that the Dems would select a black and a woman and expect to beat the Rs. I'd say it couldn't be done if Bushco hadn't f'd up the nation so well in his term.

It was weird to be in attendence among so many dedicated and hard core Dems, when my simple purpose is to punish the RNC for inflicting Bushco on my nation that last 7 years and keep them out of the White House next term.

WOW! Some of these responses are so revealing. America was build from the hard work and sacrifices of all races, gender, religions, age group, etc., and each has a right to be elected if they are qualified. When I vote, I consider the persons character and message, over there race or gender. If they talk the talk, I will give them a chance to walk the walk. That's how most of us vote I think.

JLH,

Naw, I've heard enough folks say no way they'd vote for a female or minority. They live here, so I think they're 'mericans.

Fortunately America was built before TV and elections could be bought by the party with the most money.

Sg

I guess I have a different experience living here in America. My experience his more of a multi-cultural one. I have managed my life in a way that allows me to chose the environment that works for me, as this is America. People that feel that way about minorities or women are not my type. I never hang out in Red Neck bars, so I don't get to here it there. Nor do I hang out with the Klan to hear what they are saying. Maybe if I...............nah.. bad idea.

I'll say this much. I was surprised as Hell that O put it to H. Not based on anything other than this State's record lately of elected female candidates. I had given up hope that anything akin to people voting for the best candidate was even possible here. I'm still not totally convinced, but it is a start. We'll see what the super delegates do. They're power makes me sick. So, BTW, does the Dems disregard for popular vote. We are way behind in this nation's abilities when it comes to relaying popular vote to final outcome, IMO. (have to add that IMO because some may think I'm expressing someone else's opinion.....huh?)

Superdelegates will save the world

Regardless of whomever gets elected, they are going to be blamed for alot of the fallout from the war deficit. Taxes will have to be hiked to balance the budget while defense spending will be reduced, making alot of rich people unhappy, but it has to happen to stave off financial ruin. Sure enough if defense spending gets cut the Talkshow Warmongers will call whomever does it a big pansy and say they are exposing us to attack.
No matter what, whoever gets in will be unpopular going out.

Hillary called Chelsea a few months back:

"Honey, as you know I am running for president. The world will be watching us all again." Hillary reminded her daughter, " I just want to make sure that you are on your best behavior."

"No problem Mom."

"You're not smoking or drinking?"

"nope"

"you're not having sex are you?" asked the wannabe pres.

Chelsea replied, " Not according to Daddy."

[ He's not got the experience or record to give them any indication what he might actually do. They're just following him like sheep because he's well spoken.]



One of the major reason's that he is my choice, is that he doesn't have the experience at ripping us all off. Nor has he sit on his ass and watch as our civil liberties are taken away and the Constitution Raped and disregarded. He didn't sit on his ass, and without a whimper not protest loudly, when treasonous acts were committed against our country by this corrupt administration. He doesn't have a history of sitting on his ass and saying nothing, and then blaming it all on the Republican, while taking the Rockerfeller money, and special interest cash, as Hillary did.

It's more about my experience that Obama's. I don't want to have to experience the misery, that the so called experienced politician have dish out for the last 7 years of both party's. This experience has me sick and tired of most of them, and I welcome a fresh, less corrupted individual as our leader.

Insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting different results. I feel the time for a major shake up is in order. I want a new experience out of Washington DC.

I would love to have a well spoken president for a change, as bad as the monkey butchered up the English language for the past 8 years. Voters that chose to follow a well spoken candidate, would indicate that they are more critical of the message and messenger. The sheep that follow a candidate with poor communication skills are indeed sheep, just as those that followed the chimp to the slaughter house. Worst President EVER!

Again, insanity, is doing the same things over and over, and expecting different results.

Wow, Marsha...for a self-proclaimed "moderate" you sound exactly like Sean Hannity...or Ann Coulter, or Rush Limbaugh...pick-a-pundit.

JLH, I agree with your earlier comments about blacks and women in politics...but I think that a very large segement of our America isn't so enlightened as to feel the same way...all other things being equal, they like having rich white men in charge. It took 7 years of Dumbya to get people to overlook that knee-jerk prejudice...maybe in the end of it all our "Dubya Experience" will turn out to be all for the better for this country, if only by getting us all to turn our backs on jackasses like him and his Daddy.

Fish on...

Todde

Can't be any worse that what we have now, nor what i would expect from the rest.
You can have your more of the same. Electing the good old boys and girls without considering the sack of sh!t they bring with them, is far worst in my opinion. Your, "the world is flat" logic, suggest a colonial mentality that will continue to be challenged in todays reality.

I am of the opinion that there is enough to go around. I will be OK, and will have plenty to share, as always. The fear of scarcity is the driving force that they use to rob us. Vote for me, and Enron will not happen. Vote for me, and I wont give Social Security to my Golfing buddy's. Vote for me, and I want use our military as a mofia hit squad. History proves, that these are the very security blanket's, that we have continued to wrap ourselves in, and then we are puzzled as to why we always break out with measles, diarrhea or both. Since, these are the days of more serious diseases, we need to be pro-active with our choices in order to make sure that they are preventive of such diseases. This is much easier than trying to find a cure. It's going to be difficult enough to eradicate the [censored] pile, this administration leaves unflushed for the next president.

Todd Is right! You sound like a Fox news talking head.

Your, not enough to go around mentality, or way of thinking, must be driving you crazy. You suffer from the scarcity of X,Y,Z disease. Check out the thread " The Story of Stuff" then you may be able to recognize reality, and find a cure. We will be OK if we make better choices. Period!

"Not enough to go around" is just a subset of the "be afraid, be very afraid" platform of the Republican Party...

Working for what you have, and feeling you have to deprive others of it in order to feel good about yourself, are two very, very different concepts...we can all work together and we can all get what we need.

Buying into the Republican mantra of "they want to take it from you and give it to the less-deserving", which is as pure of bullchit as "Saddam blew up the WTC and had WMD's" story, is just rewarding the fear-mongering, and fostering more hate.

Fish on...

Todd

+1

Like I said above, if you think it's about taking from those who have worked for it, and giving it to those who have not, then you are just buying into the Republican "be very afraid" mantra...boy, that sure has gotten us far, hasn't it?

As long as there is a Republican Party, there will be an "us", and a "them", the "them" being the ones who...

1. hate our freedom
2. want to steal our money
3. hate God
4. need to be killed

...the Republican Party is the biggest source of divisiveness and strife in American today...bar none.

Fish on...

Todd

What exactly will Obama do to solve any problem that effects you or me ?

Obama is too much of a pacifist and will (imo) not get the nomination. The clinton machine will hammer him to death in the next several months and his momentum will slow. I never thought that I would be pulling for a Clinton to get the nod, Obama's lack of of leadership skills and his ideals scare me.

I bet that North Korea and Iran would love to see B.O win the presidency.

+1

If a viable third party candidate were to arise, he/she could get some support...but where is he/she gonna come from?

Oregonian...I don't know exactlly what any candidate will be able to do to improve my life, any of 'em...but I want one that can at least stem the bleeding from multiple wounds that the Bush Administration has inflicted on our country...anyone who does not have an "R" after their name will be getting my vote next February...anyone. The "R's" can't be trusted, plain and simple...except for Ron Paul, who unfortunately can't be trusted by the rest of the R's because he's actually sane and fair...two attributes that would severely limit their reach.

Fish on...

Todd

Did FOX tell you that?

Come on, Irie...get with the program here...I think you need to be brought in for re-education. Just say this 100 times per day until it becomes your automatic response to any question...

"Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid. Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid."

The last thing you want is to go through life feeling optomistic, or having pesky things like original thoughts...it's best to just parrot the ditto-heads, and get down to consuming some serious goods...and for God's sake, don't think so hard, it makes the rest of us feel stupid.

Fish on...

Todd

P.S. It might surprise the average American, or the below-average, that Iran and N.Korea could care less who the current, or next American President is...'course, it's hard to Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid, if we know that.

It seems as if you are implying that you trust only certain career polititians, one might consider his trust more valuable than that...

No, Oregonian...quite different...I never said who I trust, I just pointed out that no Republican deserves the trust to pump gas without screwing it up, or sticking the pump in their pocket and skimming a little off the top.


The only exception is Ron Paul, and the fact that he gets no respect from any of the other republicans speaks volumes as to just how untrustworthy they are.

Fish on...

Todd

Todd, my man, for a smart fella you sure can say some dumb stuff.
Saying no R's are good is as blind as saying any D is good. Your whole tone probably recruits more R's than it scares away. Is that what you're after? Are you a covert R?

Libertarians are too closely intwined with laissez fare capitalism. Some things should not be left to the free market, like the Fire departments or interstate highways. I don't want to have to write a check to the local FD to extinguish my home. If it wasn't for that, I would probably lean a little more to that side.

Democrats are showing today that it's never too late to fu(k up an easy victory, at least that's what being reported by the talking heads. Reports are starting to hint at possible lawsuits over the Michigan delegates. Disenfranchised backers or independents may decide to step out of that sandbox and vote R with the nice old man from Arizona, and he we go again. (not necessarily my opinion, just repeating the repeaters)

Republican's? Well.....I could go on all day about that, but it's useless. I would like Paul, but that whole thing about him repealing the 16th amendment sort of makes him sound like a whack-job. How the hell does he think he's gonna get that done?? Can anybody really campaign on that??


They all suck, ....again...SH|T

Did you forget about the "free speech zones"? Or is free speech OK only when you're caged inside a chain link fence?

Slab...I did in fact say that I like Ron Paul...he's a Republican, last I heard...some might say he's one of the few actual Republicans that are left...hell, Bill Clinton was a way better Republican than virtually all of them that call themselves that now.

Fish on...

Todd

I'm not voting for any of these people.


Vhawk gets my vote as a write in!

I feel like an idiot, but maybe someone here can help me out. I went to the local republican caucus, and left as more confused about the actual cacusing procedures then when I went in. The way it was explained to us, the precincts all elect a delegate, who moves up to the county caucus on March 12th, on that date, he must vote on the first vote the way his precinct directed him. From here on it got fuzzy. I understood that if no clear winner came out of the first vote, then the negotiations began. How the local delegates combine to form the delegates going to the state conference, and how votes are combined, well, I don't think anyone there really knew. My question and thought is this. With the vote so divided, what are the odds that the huckabee , ron paul paul, and uncommitteds will combine to take down McCain. The mood from our caucus was clearly anybody but McCain, to at least send a message out that he is to liberal. I got the opinion that there would be a lot of negotiation with the sole purpose of keeping McCain from getting it.
Looking at the way the Media is covering it, the non-committeds are ignored, and they seem to say a small lead guarantees it for McCain. Like I said, I am total confused.
Rather than argue about politics on this one, does anyone know how the actual delegates are appropriated for each party and how the county and state delegates are chosen?
Thanks

Apparently you've learned your lesson...

There was a home heating oil delivery truck stolen in the backwoods of Appalachia a few days back and it was all over FOX 'news' as an Al Queda Terrorist Threat. Apparently the Hatfields & McCoys let their Terrorist Hunting Permits (#091101) on the backs of their trucks lapse.

Osama bin Laden then moved in under their porch with the hound dogs.

I can agree with the fact that whether D or R, your rights are in a certain amount of jeopardy when those candidates hang out on the fringe, (at least I think that's what you are getting at). The right of peaceful assembly and the right to free speech fall under the same Amendment I, but I have to view the two as separate freedoms. The KKK has a right to say pretty much whatever they want in their exercising of their first amendment right to free speech, they also have the right to join in a PEACEFUL assembly, again under the 1st Amend. I don't agree with their message, and I don't like seeing them march down Main with a police escort, but I'm not willing to take their rights away because I disagree. As long as they are not hurting anybody or doing any damage to property, they are protected under the same constitution that I am. Some idiot yelling "fire" in a theater may face restitution lawsuits, but I don't think they would get a ticket for saying something stupid. Where do you draw the line? Free speech zones just epitomize that Orwellian agenda that seems to be growing at a rapid rate for the past 20 yrs. So, I guess what I'm getting at, is the candidate that will stand up and repeal the Patriot act would be my first choice for Pres, but I don't recall which candidate that is right now.

I just heard that the telecom companies are gonna get their immunity, I have to associate this with a violation of Amendment IIII. Sorry, rights are eroding as we speak.

http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9870147-7.html?tag=nefd.blgs

How are we going to save social security?

Mandatory euthanasia for Baby Boomers. They've done enough damage already.

at what age irie?

We'll just start with everyone Born in 1945 and get the others as they reach 65. We'll stop when I stop seeing aged couples out for a walk in the park wearing matching grey pony-tails & dressed in matching Mountaineering outfits walking dogs with Gore-Tex booties on thier paws, and old guys dressed in top-end ski clothes parking thier fat asses in the ski lodge but never actually getting on the slope.


We can just taint the nation's Viagra & HRT meds with Sodium Cyanide. It'll save ammo & money.

cheaper than universal health care.

Maybe we could just start at 60

We would have to start with a cleansing of those collecting now, would we not?

Naw, the WWII Generation is dying off pretty fast from all that smoking & drinking. Besides, they've never been nearly as whiny & selfish.

so how are your parents?

t Chasbo,
What if we started by implementing a new program for children being born now. If we started by putting aside $5000.00 for each child when they were born and stuck it into a seperate account that would be used to fund a homeowners financing program. Parents could contribute a set amount to the fund tax-free like an IRA, with the money contributed refundable if the child dies, but the remainder or any unused funds going back to fund the program. The program would be backed by the federal government, guaranteeing a return of no less then 5%. With the laws of compound interest the initial investment should be plenty to fund the entire program. The advantage is that a large portion would be paid in interest by each recipient. If there is too much money available, the excess could be used to fund commercial loans or put into approved mutual funds. Perhaps a certian percentage would be allowed to be delegated by individuals into different investments, but would not be guarranteed.
In the short run, it would cost us lots, but if the funds were never touched or used for other things, it would be much cheaper. We could even try to make highend earners pay it themselves or pay for it by removing the tax credit for children for the first 5 years of their life. We would have to keep paying social security for a while, but we wouldn't have to worry about replenshing it.
Thats my long term solution to social security.

ahh cradle to grave, very interesting.


and considering 4 million live births per year we are only laying out $20 Billion..


but wait ,next we have to look at those that don't make it to 65 ! Talk about a rebate.

I believe that our stupid commander in chief suggested, that younger workers should be able to invest 3% of what is now taken out of their paychecks for SS in private accounts. That 3% would amount to about $1.80 per $1000 to a worker earning $20/hr. And the Dems cried bloody murder and have suggested nothing else other than hinting that more taxes will be needed.

If a candidate would come up with a solution we would have a winner. Fred Thompson had a plan but no one could hear it over his grandpa snoring and snorting sounds.

Chasbo, that avatar is giving me the wilies. Ugggghhhhh....

I can just image that if she were to elected, and five years from now what she might look like at one of those early morning meeting with other world leaders.

creeps me out as well .....I need a CHANGE!

ok i am trying to change


oops didn't work


ahh this is better the great Missouri on a June day

Actually, funny you should mention it, my 96 year old grandmother get livid when the topic of vaccinating and providing excessive healthcare to the Elderly comes up. According to her "there's a million children in this country that need healthcare and vaccinations a lot more that a bunch of people who aren't going to live to see their next birthday anyway."
Further more she feels that Money spent on healthcare for anyone over the age of 75 is a complete waste and should be spent taking care of people with a future ahead of them.

Mind you she comes from a time when 40 was considered old. (Her parents died of natural causes in their 40's)

Recently seen bumper sticker...

Republicans/Democrats
Same $hit, different piles.

Put Democrats and Republicans in a bag and shake them up then pull them out and see if you can really tell the difference. They can fill the House, Senate, and White house with Democrats and you might see a little change around the edges, but nothing significant.

Can things get worse? You bet they can. Is Bush the worst President, only history will tell, but he certainly is a front runner.

The country was built on hard work - true enough, but also on the hard work of slaves and immigrants who were lured here and abused. I believe both the Dems and Repubs owned slaves.

Which party got us into Vietnam anyway?

I remember back in the 70s during the Nixon era. When Nixon finally resigned I told myself I would even vote for a monkey if it meant a Republican didn't get in, then we got Jimmy Carter - also a front runner for worst President.

But seriously, I listen to Obama and you really want to believe he can do what he says he can do, but he can't. Hillary came out for Universal Health Care when Bill was President and she was burned at the stake. Wait until the Americans learn what that would cost them. Canada and the rest of the world can get away with it because we have competition in this country, which creates all of the drugs and technology we use today. Take the competition out of the U.S. then what other country will take over so we can get health care at a discount?

There will always be Social Security, but if you are starting out right now you may not get it until your 85. Goverment doesn't fix problems it just creates them and then the parties blame each other for the problem, but no one will fix them. Entitlements are good example. Have you read what most economist are saying and what it implies for the future.

Hell, they can't even deal with immigration. God forbid someone take a stand on it and push something reasonable through.

We have a do nothing Congress awash in special interest money and once again I say you can put them all in a bag and shake them up and pull them out one at a time and good luck distinguishing which one is a Democrat or a Republican.

God, please give us some leaders!!!

Carter would be a relief compared to the last 7 years.

I'd take up the metric system with a smile over this disaster.

You might be right Irie, but at least we got rid of Carter after 4 years and that may handicap him with Bush as worst President. I think if he could have had another 4 years he would definitely be giving Bush a real run for his money as worst President.

What if the government only provided casulty insurance, say a $50,000 deductible or so that we or our companies would have to cover?

"I see stem cell as the future of medicine- something else Bush has blocked –thankfully gov Arnold put big $ towards it. Controversial yes but from what I remember our constitution guarantees advances in science – so it is the American way- even if the religions are against it – Sick & tired of other peoples idea of God causing backtracking for America the land of freedom of & from religion. Stem cell can be done without offending the religious they just got to give it a chance. "

I believe that Bush opposed stem cell research and cloning being funded by the Federal Govt. Private research, have at it.

This has been a long and demanding journey for each and everyone that made the difference in tonights victory. I went on to become an Obama state delegate as well. Networked with lots of wonderful people. I'm heading to the Westin Hotel in a bit to celebrate a well earned celebration.

The following link sums up this election.

http://thisfuckingelection.com/

BTW, I was elected an Obama delegate from my my Precinct. [/quote] See me puff out my chest????See me strutting? Freaking Peacock!!!!!

Oh, and I can't wait to see Hankster's vision come true... the Lexus turning into the Pinto....

This thread is so OLD, my aforementioned Grandmother has since passed away and has been interred in Bainbridge's Masonic Cemetary.

I hit an election party, too...cabby just brought us home...good stuff.

Fish on...

Todd