I got a sense of just how crowded today's Democratic Caucus would be when I stood outside Laurelhurst School and got that unmistakeable whiff of humidity from too many people in a room too small. Two generations ago, this neighborhood sat around and listened to a young Dan Evans make his pitch for the state House. Years later, this neighborhood was re-assigned from the 43rd District to the 46th District and, along with all of Seattle, its politics moved overwhelmingly into the Democratic camp. Today, I saw dozens of people emerge from their homes and walk to the school. I don't know how the rest of Washington went, but this was like nothing I'd ever seen. More and more kept coming, till hundreds were there, nearly overwhelmingly the Democratic Party organizers who ran out of sign up sheets. Happily, the crush of people and the confusion over where to go all created a sense of a party (pardon the pun). And yet despite the festive mood, people were ready to get down to business. I found my way to 46-1974, my precinct for the past 20+ years, and saw most of the people from the south part of Northeast 42nd Street. A woman in a black beret -- I loved that Che fashion statement -- got us going and tried to raise her voice above the din from the nearby groups. On behalf of the party, she made a pitch for money. Then we got busy, and it wasn't even close: 81-21 for Obama over Clinton. We reached that moment with minimal debate. A few people argued experience (Clinton). A few argued unity (Obama). One couple on my block debated between themselves, she for Obama, he for Clinton. But few were undecided. A neighbor I've known since he was a first grader, now a UW student, stood there with his parents, enjoying the moment. After voting our candidate preferences, several of us urged him to run for delegate to the district convention. Parents slapped him on the back, encouraging him. He was thrilled, but said he was too busy. I'm not sure, but I think he was elected. In all this, I was thinking that something really good is happening in American politics. There's a war. The economy slides downward. But I walked home feeling uplifted. Four years ago, there was a big turnout, but that mood felt closer to anger and rejection, wanting Bush out. This time, far more people turned out, and the mood was positive, focused, purposeful. It really is true, we are witnessing a moment of change, something deeper than any one candidate or party.
Political talk today in 46-1974: It's all about the O
I got a sense of just how crowded today's Democratic Caucus would be when I stood outside Laurelhurst School and got that unmistakeable whiff of humidity from too many people in a room too small.
Two generations ago, this neighborhood sat around and listened to a young Dan Evans make his pitch for the state House. Years later, this neighborhood was re-assigned from the 43rd District to the 46th District and, along with all of Seattle, its politics moved overwhelmingly into the Democratic camp.
Barack Obama announcing his candidacy in Springfield, Ill., with the historic state house as backdrop.
I got a sense of just how crowded today's Democratic Caucus would be when I stood outside Laurelhurst School and got that unmistakeable whiff of humidity from too many people in a room too small.
Two generations ago, this neighborhood sat around and listened to a young Dan Evans make his pitch for the state House. Years later, this neighborhood was re-assigned from the 43rd District to the 46th District and, along with all of Seattle, its politics moved overwhelmingly into the Democratic camp.
