Precinct Caucuses bring
in hundreds

BY PAM STEVENS | EDITOR Local citizens stand up and make a choice
A few months ago Washington State wasn’t thought to be all that important in the scheme of nominating presidential candidates. However, in the last week it has become a very important part of the process, especially for the Democrats.

Many living in Lake Stevens stood up and rose to the call by attending their precinct caucus which were held all over the city.

For the Republicans it didn’t seem quite as important after Mitt Romney suspended his campaign in light of low delegate numbers on Super Tuesday leaving McCain the obvious frontrunner. However, many attending caucuses at Kevin and Natalie Lavering’s home felt that Romney needed their delegate votes more than ever, hoping he will return to the campaign trail.

“Many, if not all the Romney supporters I’ve met these last several months, are people with extremely strong moral convictions,” Natalie Lavering said. “I think the reason all of us have continued to support Mitt Romney is because he not only meets but exceeds standards of moral decency. He is a good, kind, honest man who would bring honor and dignity to the office of President of the United States, more so by far than any other candidate in either party.”

The Laverings welcomed 10 precincts into their home which made for an intimate setting. Not only were delegates chosen for the April 5 County Convention but topics were discussed to take to the State Republican Party to help develop their 2008 platform.

Of the 34 delegates chosen at this precinct caucus, Romney received 23 votes with Huckabee receiving seven, McCain only received three and Ron Paul went away with one vote.

Enter North Lake Middle A few months ago Washington State wasn’t thought to be all that important in the scheme of nominating presidential candidates. However, in the last week it has become a very important part of the process, especially for the Democrats.

Many living in Lake Stevens stood up and rose to the call by attending their precinct caucus which were held all over the city.

For the Republicans it didn’t seem quite as important after Mitt Romney suspended his campaign in light of low delegate numbers on Super Tuesday leaving McCain the obvious frontrunner. However, many attending caucuses at Kevin and Natalie Lavering’s home felt that Romney needed their delegate votes more than ever, hoping he will return to the campaign trail.

“Many, if not all the Romney supporters I’ve met these last several months, are people with extremely strong moral convictions,” Natalie Lavering said. “I think the reason all of us have continued to support Mitt Romney is because he not only meets but exceeds standards of moral decency. He is a good, kind, honest man who would bring honor and dignity to the office of President of the United States, more so by far than any other candidate in either party.”

The Laverings welcomed 10 precincts into their home which made for an intimate setting. Not only were delegates chosen for the April 5 County Convention but topics were discussed to take to the State Republican Party to help develop their 2008 platform.

Of the 34 delegates chosen at this precinct caucus, Romney received 23 votes with Huckabee receiving seven, McCain only received three and Ron Paul went away with one vote.

Enter North Lake Middle School for one of the Democratic caucuses in town and you find a completely different scene.

Hundreds of people were packed into the gymnasium with 18 precincts represented and Lake Stevens High School DECA students were offering concessions for sale.

Senator Steve Hobbs rallied the crowd and Jeff Craig, Area Caucus Coordinator thanked everyone for attending.

Envelopes were being passed around in hopes of collecting money for the Democratic party and many were trying to sway delegates into changing their votes. At one table a delegate who at first was planning on voting for Clinton changed his mind and then another delegate at the same table changed her vote from Obama to Clinton.

Many there were passionate about their choice for the nomination while others were there to witness first hand this historic event.

“I think it is very exciting that we have the opportunity to get involved,” Jackie Hodgins a teacher at Marysville-Pilchuck High School said. “I really wanted to see the process and let my students know how it works while encouraging them to get involved.”

There were many young voters at the Democratic caucus and many were chosen as delegates for their precinct.

Kelly Fellows, a 20-year-old University of Washington honor student is one of those delegates, explained that she doesn’t vote down party lines.

“I’m a swing voter,” she said. “I’m voting for Obama. I don’t agree with everything he says but he inspires me. I feel like he is more willing to do what’s best for the country not just his party.”

Most important to Fellows and all of the others who attended their caucus was the responsibility they felt to get involved and the excitement of knowing how important the State of Washington could be in deciding who the next President of the United States will be.

blog comments powered by Disqus