Yesterday 101 of us competed in Congressional District 9 - (Berkeley and Oakland) for 4 Obama delegate slots to the Democratic National Convention. I think we had more candidates than any district in the state.
The sun was shining on a very warm east bay day as the line to register stretched for a block and a half. Most of the candidates, like myself, worked the line handing out cheap home made flyers and/or cookies. The wonderful diversity of our community was reflected in the candidate pool and in the line. Many rode their bikes or brought their kids along to see democracy in action. I don't have the official count yet, but my rough estimate is there were close to a thousand people, many there to vote for friends, others just to support Barack. Read about a near death experience below the fold
Each person voted for five people as 4 delegates (2 men and 2 women) and one alternate were selected. And with 101 names the ballot was very complicated. Each candidate was given 30 seconds to make a hurried speech, but that was pretty much a waste as most everyone had already voted. I made sure to keep working the line and just ran in when my wife called on the cell to say my turn to speak was coming up, I gave a relatively dynamic(by other people's reviews) quick speech to applause and ran back for one on one voter contact. The overall quality of the candidates was fantastic. Many spirited young people as well as more grizzled veterans like myself. All races, all ages, all socio-economic classes.
I was hit by a car while riding my bike to the store to buy tax software the day before the caucus and was taken by ambulance to spend 6 hours waiting around mostly. I later learned that my head (fortunately wearing a helmet) had smashed the car's windshield. The verdict was two bones broken in my left wrist and a bunch of scrapes and bruises. Fortunately I'm right handed but this one handed typing is slow and a little painful. So I'll make this diary a little shorter than I'd like to, but will add more later if I get recommended. I shouldn't have even gone to the caucus, but I really wanted to go to Denver to help make history. The only other Democratic National Convention I attended was 1968 in Chicago where as a high school; student I learned how to dodge tear gas and batons while demonstrating. This time I will be on the inside!
I wouldn't have done this just to go to any Dem convention or likely for any other candidate except John Edwards. After all I have avoided going to Dem Conventions for 40 years.
This is all about a movement to take back our country and we owe Barack and his team a lot for recognizing that this about a lot more than just getting a Democrat elected. No doubt Barack's inspiration and the sacrifice by him and his family to this noble effort is amazing!
I was handing out flyers with my arm in a sling and used the slogan "Breaking Bones for Barack". I'm sure I got at least a few sympathy votes.
I listed my qualifications on my flyer and besides all the impressive stuff about my political credentials (former Mayor, anti-Nafta community organizing, blah, blah) this one resonated:
Qualified to be Commander in Chief due to countless sniper fire like attacks playing dodge ball in elementary school
I coordinated my campaign with a female partner and that worked out great. She is a member of a large African American (AME) Church and some well dressed folks were in line to vote for her and me. And my more motley crew of diverse supporters turned out well for both of us. It was interesting that four out of the five winners were my partner and I and another male/female team of two. That seemed to work better than the folks who promoted a slate of five.
There were a lot of interesting conversations and attempted deals and deceptions that I will include in an update later.
When I left after 3.5 hours of non-stop talking to folks soliciting their votes, I was sunburned and wasted. The adrenaline that seemed to keep the pain at bay faded. (I did not want to take any pain medication so I could stay relatively lucid.) But I was also very confident that despite the stiff competition, I was going to win.
The volunteers from the Obama campaign did a fantastic job managing so many people. And with 101 candidates and no dalmations it took over 5 hours to count the votes. I was trying to fall asleep when my partner called to say that we had both won! Needless to say I didn't fall asleep for awhile.
I helped make history on the outside in 1968 and now I get to be a part of history from the convention floor in 2008. I never thought it would take 40 years to get a viable progressive anti-war Presidential candidate, but I am so glad to be alive in general (thanks to my trusty helmet)and specifically at this crucial moment. Go Barack!