An Independent Shift

Proposition 8 and the Ties That Bind

2009-02-06T19:44:00.000-08:00

In the simplest terms:

There is more hate in this world than can be believed, the world is dark with it. So to me, whenever two people find each other and love each other, that is good.

Love is love, whether in the form of parents with their children, brothers and sisters who love each other and fight constantly, friends who would give anything to help each other, and even strangers who reach out to help someone they don't know in need.

The most pure and sacred form of love there is, exists between two individuals who love each other for who and what they are and chose to celebrate this love with a recognized union; whether civil union or marriage.

Love, pure unselfish love is so rare, that the world should stop and hold its breathe with joy and amazement when two people are so brave as to commit to share their lives together. Regardless of sexual orientation. Man and woman, woman and woman, or man and man. Love is still love regardless of the container or outside wrapper.

What is important is the feelings and the caring.

If two people who love each other wish to commit to share a lifetime together it should be treated as a sacred vow and commitment. Maybe some day, people -who are not harmed or affected and have no real reason to fear can let go of their fear and see the love that is there.

Maybe.

A friend sent me the link to this video, to those of you who are against marriage between two people who love each other (regardless of sex or sexual affiliation) please look at the faces of those you fear. They deserve the right to commit with joy just like we have.

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

Sick and Bored in Bed with Bill O'Reilly

2009-01-31T10:53:00.000-08:00

I'm sick and in bed with the flu. However, being sick and bored while having internet access means that you can have fun zipping aroung youtube.

I found the following Bill O'Reilly out takes hysterical.
Warning-lots of colorful language is used, so if you have kids around shoo them out the door or turn down your volume.

The ironic take on O'Reilly's questions to Marylin Manson about profanity and swear words is how much he swore in the first video when off the air.

No idea how O'Reilly got all of this from a clip on Senator Obama's speech and one NYC Councilman Charles Barron's remarks.

Phil Donohue pwns O'Reilly over Cindy Sheehan. Mind you I am not a fan of Ms. Sheehan.

Note to self, when talking to O'Reilly use posh brittish accent in a quiet voice-it seems to calm the wild beast within him.

and then Letterman kicks him around a bit as well

Ok-I know the election is over, but this is certainly an interesting series of clips on Senator McCain.

A New Start

2009-01-23T23:31:00.000-08:00

I write about art and have done so since the summer of 2007 at another blog. Occasionally I've also posted about politics, current events, and my thoughts and opinions about both and I've become concerned that I am straying from the purpose of that first blog-which is to write about art.

I've decided to separate the political postings into a different blog. This should help keep the art and politics where they belong, as separate entities.

My art blog is hosted wordpress, but I wanted to try out the options and plug-ins that I know are available at blogspot. So here I am. I will probably play with this a bit before linking both blogs.

Farewell Governor Dean

2009-01-22T11:42:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday night I attended an event in honor of Governor Howard Dean, the outgoing Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) hosted at the American History Museum in Washington, DC. Although this post is late (I was without the internet or laptop for most of the weekend) I wanted to post it anyways as a tribute to a great man.

The Govenor Virginia, Tim Kaine, has been nominated by President Obama to serve as the replacement for Govenor Howard Dean as the Chairman of the DNC. This was submitted to the DNC membership for vote on January 21st and passed with no issues.

What a great party! There was great music, food and drink in a stunning setting that was filled with a huge crowd. I was lucky enough to see a few folks I'd meet while volunteering at the DNC and it felt nice to be remembered.

After a short presentation of some interesting video clips, Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia introduced Governor Dean. Before Dean took the stage, they played a great video message from President Elect Obama. Then Governor Dean came out and gave one hell of a speech. I had no idea he was such a great orator!

As soon as his speech was over he was mobbed by well wishers. Sadly for me I was within 10 feet of him so I was mobbed as well, but you could forgive people for their love an enthusiasm (for him not me).

44th Presidential Inauguration

2009-01-21T12:09:00.000-08:00

I was fortunate enough to attend the 44th Inauguration, we had tickets to the Purple Area which was located on the Senate side of the Capitol Building, I was lucky, I was able to get in. The lines and crowd were enormous. The folks in the Yellow line snaked around for at least 8 blocks (that I could see). I had another acquaintance tell me he spent hours in a confused and twisted space for the Orange line but he was able to get in as well. I spent the night of the 19th with friends who actually live on Capitol Hill which meant I only walked about 6 blocks to get to the Purple Entry Point.

Some of the direction signs were wrong. I am familiar with the neighborhood so I knew the

Senate side was not where the signs indicated to those exiting the Captiol South Metro Stop. I guess the committee wasn't too worried about the sign since purple ticket holders were supposed to exit at Union Station (red line). The sign confusion probably added no end of grief to out of towners.

The Presidential Motorcade
While crossing to enter into the area, I was almost run down by some cop cars-it took a few moments to realize it was the Presidential Motorcade! I scooted and only managed to snap one pic of it and sadly missed the one of “The Tank.” If you know artist Matt Sesow he has a video of it on his facebook page!
Although I was in a ticketed area I am very short. So I couldn’t see a thing except the dome and the upper part of the building. Nada. Then again, unless you were over 6 feet tall you also didn’t see much. There were some grumbles but most people were like me, just very grateful to be witnessing the event.

Jumbotran View Someone did not do effective planning for the location of the Senate-side jumbotran. Or if they did, they never double checked what it looked like with crowds, who were viewing it from down slope. Most folks in the Yellow and Purple side had a rather large tree which obstructed the view of the jumbotran. So I had a lot of shots of a tree and a vague indication of different peoples faces.

Even though we couldn’t see, ok-we the short one- couldn’t see, we didn’t care~we were there!! Everyone was happy and considerate for the most part; it was like being in Manhattan at Christmas time! If it was crowded so much the better since those beside and behind acted as windbreaks!

In case you didn’t see the speech here it is in it’s entirety courtesy of youtube

And in case you missed the actual event on TV here is a link!

President Obama's Inagural Address

2009-01-20T23:59:00.000-08:00

My fellow citizens:
I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we the people have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears, and true to our founding documents.
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land — a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met.
On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.
We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.

For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.

For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sanh.

Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.
For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act — not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth.

We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. All this we will do.

Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions — who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them — that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works — whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified.

Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. Those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account — to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day — because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control — and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart — not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.

As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our founding fathers ... our found fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all the other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort — even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment — a moment that will define a generation — it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence — the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed — why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:
"Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet (it)."

America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America.

Source for the transcript is provided by Yahoo News.

...and in the Gaza Strip

2009-01-19T22:00:00.000-08:00

Dr. Ezzeldeen Abu al-Aish, my thoughts and prayers are with you tonight for you and your family.
This has got to stop.

Tomorrow

2009-01-19T12:04:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow…

Dawns a new era, one of Hope and Change. I attended an event today that I will write about later this week. But one of the ladies in attendance summed it all up. She said, Obama said, “Yes we Can” Yes we can what? It is up to each us to fill in this blank and write our own stories.

Yes we can.

Tomorrow the entire world will hold it’s collective breath as the first african american takes his oath of office and becomes the 44th President of the United States of America.

Yes we can.

We, as a nation have put aside our prejudices and our fears and placed our hope and trust that it is possible to redeem the promise of our forefathers to live in peace.

Yes we can.

Tonight and tomorrow we will all go to sleep with this thought ringing in our heads, that we as a nation can rise to the challenge and fulfill our potential. To serve not only our fellow men and women, but also the greater good.

Yes we can.

Politics Makes Strange Bedfellows

2008-10-15T11:19:00.000-07:00

Sign-age of the political times. Tonight I had some errands in the Old Town section of Alexandria. I walked down Prince Street to see what is happening with some politically feuding neighbors.

It seems that at the corner of Prince Street and Columbus Street has a political sign war. There is a McCain/Palin and Gilmore fan and across the street is a law firm that are huge Obama fans. It’s made for some interesting walks.

The McCain/Palin fan placed a HUGE “This is McCain Country” sign on the wall of his yard (it looks like a very large -for old town- walled garden) as well as a smaller (about 3×5 feet) tasteful “Gilmore” sign in screaming bright red nailed/affixed to the top of his walled garden.

The law firm across the had a few Obama signs in their windows; I think they measured about 16×20 inches. At some point they added a sign in almost every window-but they were small signs.

So the McCain/Palin homeowner removed the Gilmore sign, placed a large “Gilmore, drill here, drill now” sign up. This sign is about 5×8 feet and another of the large McCain country signs (I guess just in case you missed the first one).

Tonight I realized the law firm struck back-they placed one of those life-size cardboard cutouts of Sen. Obama in their window and it’s staring at the entrance to the house across the street. How funny is that?

Shocking News. I noted today that CNN ran a story on Vice President Cheney. VP Cheney has fallen ill again and he was taken to George Washington Hospital in Washington DC for treatment. The Story that CNN ran stated the Vice President was experiencing irregular heartbeats again so it was back to the hospital for him.

I was pretty amazed. I believe this was the first credible reporting of the medical confirmation that Cheney DOES in fact have a heart…Will wonders ever cease?

Hopefully everyone enjoyed the presidential debates.

The Art of Political Satire

2008-09-07T00:32:00.000-07:00

Agree with his politics or not, you have to admit that the group of energetic folks involved with the Obama-Biden campaign are amazing. One of my favorite videos from YouTube is the "Yes He Can" by Will.I.Am

This was almost immediately lampooned in the "John He Is" Video. I think the way they lampooned the first one is absolutely brilliant, then add the actor's reactions to what they are hearing or reading and it's pretty funny. Talk about being haunted by your own words.

This video is one of the funniest YouTube videos being circulated. This shows Senator McCain (allegedly) 'checking out' Gov. Palin while they were speaking together in Dayton OH. Oh dear. One wonder's what the bulldog's reaction to this was.

I plan on scoping out a few more and posting them here later this evening.
Here is a link to several Saturday Night Live skits spoofing different moments in the campaign as well. A link to the SNL Couric Palin interview Spoof

Super Tuesday

2008-02-07T00:13:00.000-08:00

This post was written on February 7th about Super Tuesday (February 5, 2008 )

“Our Chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

I spent Super Tuesday with a friend at a party where we watched the results of the primaries roll in. It was interesting being a former Republican (I’ve decided I am an independent) in a room full of Democrats.

There was a potluck, everyone brought a food dish from a state that had a primary or a caucus. I had to bring food from North Dakota, hooray. Since I was arriving from my office, I couldn’t make anything from scratch; so I brought cupcakes from Starbucks. Not very North Dakota-ish but my father was from North Dakota and he loved chocolate so I figured it wasn’t too far of a stretch.

The evening was interesting, there were a ton of folks young and old pigging out and really enjoying themselves. During the evening I talked with someone who is involved with the Democrats outreach efforts to the christian communities. This wasn’t the first time I’d heard some discussions about it, but it’s the first chance I had to really sit down and ask someone some questions and to share my concerns.

I told the lady I spoke with about what I’d seen happen in the republican party when they started courting the far right Christians (morale majority folks). Keep in mind that I am simply a voter so my opinions are not made as political commentary so much as what I saw happen in my party.

I believe that the decision to court this block of voters and welcome them into the Republican Party destroyed the party that I knew and joined in the 80s. Why do you ask? Well the Republicans, just like the democrats have a membership that runs the gamut from extremely liberal to extremely conservative. Sadly, I’ve watched the far right membership of the republican party become so dominant and have such an influence, that some like me who is extremely liberal in my outlook no longer has a voice within the my own party. I keep wondering, who let these people in and WHY are they still here?

To see what I am talking about take a look at the republican presidential candidates. The only way to get the support to be on the ticket is to be pro-life. Period. Look at Rudy Giuliani…he ran on a pro-choice ticket as mayor and now suddenly he’s pro-life? So when did that happen? If you looked at the CNN political ticker before the Iowa Caucus you would have read similar views on roe v wade by all the republican candidates. All of the statements were cookie cutter and you could tell they’d been wordsmithed to death.

I felt so disgusted with the republican candidates, that I went to the democratic side and looked at what their candidates were saying. After reading everything, I’d decided on Senator Joe Biden and volunteered to help his campaign accordingly. I guess that was the beginning of the end for me and the republican party. Since Senator Biden didn’t make it past Iowa I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching about where my loyalties now lie (as far as political parties).

I originally chose the Republicans when I was in the military. I am a fiscal conservative and I believe in a strong military and strong industrial base. But I feel that in the last 10 or so years that the Republicans have pillaged this country, between NAFTA (yes I know President Clinton did that one) shipping jobs overseas, the current administration allowing our natural resources to be pillaged (timber harvesting in the Northwest is an example), and the morass of Iraq.
I think the best hope for our country is a Democrat. I’ve also decided that the best place for me (for now at least) is as an independent, although I believe the day is coming when I will rejoin the dems.

The Iowa Caucus

2008-01-07T23:54:00.000-08:00

Note-This post is imported from my art blog. This post was originally written to explain why I flew to Des Moines Iowa to help with the Biden Campaign and will hopefully help anyone who decides to volunteer at a presidential election in Iowa.

I recently volunteered for Senator Joe Biden’s Presidential Campaign in Des Moines Iowa. I wanted to see the caucus process first hand and more importantly, I wanted to help this wonderful man in his bid for the White House.

I should also say here that I am an extremely liberal republican (actually I will probably be switching and declaring myself independent because I can no longer stomach the machinations of the far right in my own party, but that is another blog entry); I felt that Joe was the only qualified candidate who could navigate the United States out of Iraq in a way that ensure the stability of the Iraqi government and provide safety for the Iraqi people.
What caused a liberal republican to travel to Iowa to support a democratic candidate? I’d read Christine Pelosi’s book, Campaign Boot Camp: Basic Training for Future Leaders. This book urges us to get involved within our communities on issues that concern us. I figured since I was very worried about pro-choice and even more concerned about a sane pullout or reduction in forces in Iraq I should actually support a candidate who supported the issues I cared about. So I put my money where my mouth was by donating to Senator Biden’s campaign; but more importantly I flew out to Iowa to help.

New Year’s day 1 January 2008

I flew out to Des Moines, IA on at 0640 and hit the ground running. Joe’s campaign was a grassroots campaign. Its focus was about people connecting with other people and I was lucky enough to witness and to be a part of this process.

I spent the first day doing ID calls. That means I called about 300-400 registered voters and asked them if they were definitely for Joe, leaning towards supporting him, undecided, leaning towards another candidate or definitely voting for another person. Once identified, this information was coded into a database and then used to make a list for another volunteer to contact the undecided voters to discuss Joe’s position on various issues, to identify Joe supporters (a follow up call let them know their precinct caucus location) or to remove folks from a call back list.

2 January 2008

They volunteer coordinator handed me a stack of papers and asked me to make ‘persuasion’ calls to those who were still undecided. I was really nervous about this because the voters in Iowa are extremely well informed. I think they are better informed than some political analysts and campaign workers I saw on TV. Several folks explained (patiently I might add) that they liked Joe but were concerned about the viability of his numbers. They want their vote to count and want to support “THE” candidate who would win not only the primary and the democratic nomination, but also be able to beat who ever the republicans chose as their candidate. These people knew the issues inside and out and are passionate about politics.

I stated with the script and a 3-page position paper which was provided to all of the precinct captains (i.e., those who said they would support Joe during the actual caucus process). I was able to talk to many different people about Senator Biden’s record, experience, position on various issues and several signed on to support him.

The volunteer coordinators for the campaign decided to send all of the out-of-state volunteers to different caucuses. We would act/serve as Precinct Captains for the Biden Campaign. At 7pm we attended a conference call where the strategy for the caucus was laid out. We had several major goals and everyone had to understand them. Afterwards, we all headed to Caribou Coffee at Ingersoll and 32nd for a meeting of the Des Moines Precinct Captains. The information came fast and furious; I started to really get nervous.

3 January 2008 , Caucus Day

I made calls persuasion calls or calls reminding Biden supporters that it was caucus day and also telling them to location of their caucus. I did this until late afternoon. In one instance I got a man to commit to supporting Joe through at least the first round to help make Joe viable. When the man I called asked me to pass on a message to Joe I was able to do even better…I had Joe’s daughter, Ashley, call him and talk to him about his concerns. At the end of the call he’d committed to supporting and voting for Joe the entire way. That made my day.

I talked to Ashley about my nervousness in identifying the fact that I was a republican, she was wonderful. She explained that telling folks I was one and giving my personal reasons for supporting her father was a hugely compelling argument for voting for her father. I had told several folks on the phones that I was a republican and had travelled to Iowa to support Senator Biden but only a few people at the Biden For President Headquarters knew about this.

I believe with all my heart that Senator Biden would have pulled the independent block of voters as well as the man liberal republicans like myself. In fact, Henry a volunteer from Baltimore is an independent who traveled on his own dime like many of us did to help with the campaign.
Initially I was asked by three college students to go with them to a town about 40 miles west of Des Moines, IA. I cleared it with the coordinators and was almost ready to leave when I was asked to go to another precinct with Dan and Tom from New York. There were 11 delegates at stake and no precinct captain to help the Biden supportors so we headed to Carlisle, IA.

Controlled Chaos.

The Iowa caucus is a study in controlled chaos. All non-voting caucus folks are observers and the rules governing their activities and behaviours during the actual caucus are at the disgression of the Precinct Chairperson. Although it might sound like its based on whim this system actually allows the Precinct Chair significant flexibility. Our Chairperson Mark was responsible for both precincts. He was a great guy but a little overwhelmed since they had no way of identifying the 10+ observers. He asked us once things got underway to sit on the stage.

Mark told me that they weren’t expecting anyone from the Biden campaign, he sent us to the first two rows in the auditorium. Precinct 1 was on my right and Precinct 2 was on my left. The rows were split down the middle by the flag. They allowed anyone inside the building by 7pm to register to vote. In fact, as long as you qualified, you could register to vote on the day of the caucus and you could also elect/chose to change your party affiliation etc. It was amazing. Add even more confusion with the fact that the republican caucus was in the school’s media center and there was also a wrestling match scheduled too. Amazing!

The actual caucus got underway around 7:30 when they announced the numbers for Precinct 1 and 2. The numbers are important because they are used to determine the number of voters needed to make a candidate viable (i.e., give him a delegate). In this case the magic number was 15% of those present. The Chair in charge of Precinct 1 seemed unable to count and he gave the incorrect number of 26. Later this number was changed to 24 which I was told should never happen, and the Edwards, Clinton, and Obama camps could have protested in order to get another delegate. In precinct 1 there were only two Biden supporters. I explained our strategy to them, both ended up moving into another candidate’s groupings fairly quickly.

For the Second Precinct we had more but still not enough for viability (we needed 28 in this one). Again we asked them to stand fast until the last moment (there are 30 minutes between counts and there is a LOT of horse trading on numbers during this time) and then eventually sent most of them to the Obama camp. This was done in this district because we didn’t have viability and were unable to coordinate an uncommitted candidate. So, I looked at the numbers and decided that the Clinton camp and the Edwards camp had the largest numbers so they were sent to Obama to even things out.

The only thing that disappointed me was having another candidate’s precinct co-captain lie to me about the some information on CNN. He claimed the Senator provided guidance on CNN about what to do if he was non-viable. I looked at him like he’d lost his mind, what would he know about our campaign’s strategy, why would we put it on CNN and more importantly, why would he resort to lying just to get a few bodies for his candidate?

Frankly it was a total turn off. In the event that that candidate wins the democratic nomination I would ensure I voted against them. Why? Because when I spoke with that candidate’s out of town volunteers they’d told me that only the precinct captains knew their particular strategies. I have to assume that the co-captain had been told to do this. I know all is fair in love and war or in this case, politics but why lie on something that was so easy to verify? It was stupid.

What did I learn about the Iowa Caucus?

Well besides the fact that its a once in a life time experience (unless you live there) it’s all about horse trading and putting your candidate out there during the actual caucus. Precinct Captains are expected to be able to get up and discuss their candidate and why he/she is the best choice. And the audience is more informed than almost any you will see.

At a caucus there are a huge group of folks that will mill between candidates, a great deal of non-committed folks as well as folks who just want to be in the largest mob. So anything is possible; as evidenced by Kerry’s win in 2004. In 2004 Kerry was trailing at the polls, yet he won the primary. Also, in both 92 and 96 there were more uncommitted delegates than delegates for specific candidates. Even in this primary, uncommitted delegates came ahead of at least one candidate.

The Aftermath

Senator Biden needed to beat Governor Richardson to make it into the New Hampshire debates. He’s such a fine debater that I assumed he would come off extremely well. Unfortunately our efforts weren’t enough and he came in 5th place.

There was a party scheduled to begin at 9pm at the Science Center in Des Monies. We drove from Carlise, IA made a brief stop to visit a friend of mine at the media center and then headed to the party. I knew the initial results at the 70% point due to another friend’s call, when we arrived someone mentioned that the Senator was going to head to New Hampshire anyways, so that made me one happy camper.

Sadly, halfway through his speech (I was literally standing right in front of his podium) when I realized his wife Jill was trying hard not to cry that was when I understood it was a concession speech. I felt pretty sad. The Senator thanked us for the help, love and support. He then walked through the packed hall to shake hands, sign posters and convey his personal thanks in a wonderfully personal way.

When he got to me, I hugged him and then he signed my poster. I told him at that point that I was a “Republican for Biden”, he smiled and said, “I love you!” imagine that! Senator Joe Biden is a great man and the fact that he is no longer running for President is a loss for our country. I hope that who ever wins the election considers him on their short list for Secretary of State since he’d be phenomenal.