The Quad Cities is a set of four metro areas divided (or brought together) by the mighty Mississippi River. The river runs east then west in a strange kind of round about, before turning again to flow south to the New Orleans delta and the Gulf. We sit by the part that runs west. The sunsets can be spectacularly beautiful.
This area has a superbly rich and detailed history, from pirates, thieves and heinous murders to the remarkable river pilots who knew every twist and turn the Mississippi made. Tonight I felt compelled to see more history in the making.
I live in Moline, Illinois. Dick Durbin and Barack Obama are my Senators. Senator Durbin was one of the first to encourage Senator Obama to go for the nomination. That alone seemed a great reason to give Obama a closer look see.
Davenport is a sister city on the Iowa side just across the Interstate 74 span. It isn't my first time at an Iowa caucus. Born and raised, went to school and college, lived, married and raised a child in Iowa, and, yes, was involved in politics for a number of years.
I had to go even though I couldn't have a part to play.
So, over the river and right smack into a traffic tie up on the bridge. That held me up a good 15 minutes and I knew I wasn't going to make my destination in West Davenport. I planned on that location because both my nephews (Obama supporters) were going to their first caucus and I said I'd be there for them.
Okay, 6:44 PM and I'm still 10 to 15 minutes away from where I need to be. I didn't think I could park and make it in before the doors closed. So, time to punt. I stopped at a high school that was right there - it had lots of cars rolling in and seemed a safe bet for a caucus. Talk about luck!
Parking lot full, of course, people still rolling in, but I made it! I walk in the closest entrance and see a gal at desk and a sign: tickets $3.00. Turns out there's a game going on PLUS the Democratic AND Republican caucuses in the same school (big high school) at the same time. Ticket lady points me in the right direction and I'm in.
Looked to be around 250 people, the observers seated in an area where we could watch the proceedings. The chairwoman, a Hillary supporter, calls things to order and asks first time caucus attendees to stand. Almost half the room, probably 40%, stand and are applauded.
Next a quick count was made of Hillary, Obama, Edwards and other supporters.
Hillary had a little over 60, Edwards at a little over 30, about a dozen others and undecideds, and one lone, brave Dodd supporter.
Obama had 99, every age, and the vast majority white. When half the room stood up for Obama I was impressed and, frankly, thrilled.
There was some housekeeping that needed to be done because the numbers didn't match on the tally sheets (off by just 3 or 4) compared to the sign in sheet, but the chair dealt with it. She read every name and made sure the people were there.
The math was done to determine the number of caucus goers each candidate needed to remain viable. That came to 32 people. (Remember, a candidate, to remain in the race, has to receive at least 15%.)
Now we know the top three are safe with their respective numbers and the horse trading starts to get the uncommitted and the other supporters.
The final tally gives Edwards 2 delegates, Hillary two delegates and Obama 4, half of the delegates.
This is empowerment and it feels great.
P.S. I stopped by my nephews' homes on my way back just so they knew I didn't let them down on purpose and to hear how things went for them. I'm glad they got their feet wet.