The Good, The Bad and The WA State LD Caucus
I’ve only ever caucused once, in 2008. I went stood with the crowd of my chosen candidate and left. But, as seems to be par for the course with Bernie supporters, THIS year I wanted to do more dagnabbit. So, I, in my infinite wisdom, thought “I want to be a delegate and fight for Bernie all the way to the convention and beyond!” **uplifting music plays and the clouds part for a ray of sunshine to hit my resolute face** At our caucus location in March, we were broken up by precinct and my group was small, only 34 people so it wasn’t hard for me to make a small very nervous plea and be selected to move forward. I thought I was prepared. I made sure that I had everything I needed. I wrote a speech, read all about Coffeecats experiences in Iowa (thinking surely WA wouldn’t be near as bad) that we would get through everything by the time our 1PM start time to be done and out no later than 3.
Almost from the beginning everything started to go wrong…
We had been informed via email by our LD Bernie coordinator about the Hail Mary rule change to keep what happened in Nevada from being repeated here. We were also informed that it was going to be challenged at that time. Oh, all the shenanigans, it just never stops, so we knew to expect at least that. Wanting to be sure we had plenty of time just in case, my husband and I arrived about 11:30 with lunch in a bag. It was a beautiful day and even an hour and a half before start time the gym was already a bustling. So many Bernie people everywhere, I felt sort of sad for the lonely Hillary booth up front. There was a line at the Bernie table, everyone wanting signs, stickers and buttons and so many had homemade Bernie apparel, from jackets to hats to shoes that it was a veritable Berniecopia. We were in a good mood and ready to get things started. After eating (sadly we didn’t know there was a pot luck so we missed out on some delicious looking food) I went to stand in line to let them know I wanted to move to the next level and make my sign to advertise my Bernie qualifications to our caucus goers. The idea of it was a little intimidating for someone like me who is a bit of a wall flower. So as I’m waiting in line at 12:30 and talking to a mother/daughter Bernie duo, we inched up slowly (so many wanted to move on) only to have fire alarm go off.
By this time the gym was full, close to 600 people. We were all ushered outside. To stand and wait…and wait…and wait. We watched a bigger man in a too small shirt make endless laps, at least 15, we ended up timing him with the stopwatch feature on my husband’s phone, seeing if he could beat his time each lap around. Of course it ended up being a false alarm and with the delay and everyone making their way in again; we didn’t get to start until after 1pm. I still hadn’t been able to get the items I needed to move on if I wanted, so everything from there was a rushed mess. As we expected, there was the announcement of the rule change, the challenge and then a vote. The majority voted to allow the rule change to stand because I honestly don’t think most understood what it meant. Additionally, the State party threatened to take all of our delegates away from us if we didn’t bend to their rule change. It stunk to high heaven and smacked of the Mob. This is a very nice caucus, it would be a shame if something were to happen to it. The new rule allowed Hillary to keep all her delegates even if her people couldn’t be bothered to show up. Now people could cross precincts and fill vacant spots. Which happened with our one Hillary alternate that was there. But, that was not the worst bit. Four people who claimed they were for Bernie went to fill vacant Bernie seats, then all four of them (which according to the rules is allowed) changed to Hillary. Boy, all hell broke loose; one Bernie delegate went storming to the front and went on a righteous rant. It was allowed to stand though and one of those “Bernie” people who all of a sudden saw the Clinton light made a nasty comment to the lady who fought this as she made her way back to her seat. The whole incident was shameful and once again I was reminded that like attracts like, so there you go Hillary, these are your supporters. Legal? Yes. Right? Hell no! The one good thing about that fiasco is that it wasn’t enough to change any percentages and Bernie lost no delegates to raucous cheers at the announcement!
There were a few more items, which took a long time, and then we broke into 2 groups, Clinton in the Gym, Bernie staying in the cafeteria to choose the lucky few to go forward. Over 100 people were vying for 25 delegate spots with alternates. Because it was getting late, my speech went unused and we were each given the microphone for just a few seconds. I tried to be inspiring but I was rushed and nervous plus I wasn’t quite done before the chair took the microphone away to the next person. But I held up my sign proudly feeling very much like Sally Field in Norma Rae and had quite a few people vote for me.
We had a great group at our table. Everyone was very engaged, diverse and knowledgeable about the issues. Most also, like me, wanted to move on. I chatted for quite a while with an elderly vet who didn’t let his cane stop him. He made his sign and said how much he wanted to go and represent Bernie in Philadelphia, I voted for him. In the room, there was a blind man and 2 people in wheelchairs, a lady with 2 canes. Their stamina was amazing; nobody was willing to leave until the end. Which in this case came at around 7:45, the Hillary people by this time had been finished and gone for 3 hours. My husband and myself were exhausted and hungry plus we had a dog waiting at home who we know just had to pee. I was also disappointed in that I wasn’t chosen to go forward. But, I was very happy that I at least tried. I knew it was a long shot and even with all the stress and the waiting and the shenanigans, I think that I would do it all again.
I walked away from this experience with a growing realization of just how awesome Bernie’s supporters are, how diverse and tenacious. Final thought, my god, caucuses need to go!!
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If Bernie inspires you, just do it. You'll meet a lot of great people. Just be prepared to stay awhile. Bring food and drinks.
Bernie is fighting for me, so I don't begrudge him a day. Although my dog may not be so forgiving, he did get his dinner late.
