I’m heading to the democratic caucus for Kootenai County in Coeur d’Alene Idaho on Super Tuesday, February 5th. The caucus is being held in the North Idaho College Gym. Doors open at 5:30pm and close at 7pm sharp. As with the rest of the country, a record turnout is expected. Up to 1,200 people are expected to caucus for their candidate on Super Tuesday. This is going to be the rockis’ caucus in recent Idahoan history for Kootenai County. Just for perspective, in 2004, approximately 500 gathered to caucus in Kootenai County.
Here is a map of Idaho showing where Kootenai County is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Map_of_Idaho_highlighting_Kootenai_County.svg
This is an excerpt from the Couer d’Alene Press, January 20, 2008:Thom George, a member of the executive committee on the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee, said the organization is actively recruiting candidates for the upcoming races. “There will be Democrats running this election cycle,” George said. “We’re always hopeful that we’ll have qualified candidates to run in the open races.” The Democratic Caucus is slated for Feb. 5 and will be held at North Idaho College. George believes the Democratic Primary race is going to be very interesting and it will be back and forth between three candidates; Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards. “It’s going to be a very big year,” George said. “Having a presidential race always increases voter turnout and interest.”
In Ada County, the caucus will be held in Boise, at the Qwest Arena. It is the largest single county caucus in the nation, and they are expecting about 5,000 people to turnout. Press, and networks such as CNN, will be onsite. Idaho has 23 national delegates, and although this is less than five percent of what California has, the people of Idaho are VERY pumped up to show support for their candidates. People will be coming together to make a change about the issues they care so deeply about. Idaho is one of the reddest states in the nation, and thousands will be participating in the lively democratic caucus process in support of Hillary and Obama. Speaking of the two…
OBAMARAMA!!! Obama will be in Boise (Ada County) on Saturday, February 2nd for a rally in the Taco Bell Arena at Boise State University. Currently, his supporters have five offices throughout Idaho. I had a chance to speak with Kootenai County resident and superdelegate, Jeanne Buehl on Monday. She has worked in politics for 25 years, and when asked what kind of influence Obama’s Saturday appearance may have on the people of Idaho. She replied: “a lot of influence if you know the people.” Buehl said she will pledge after Super Tuesday. She said that she will pledge to whichever candidate made it to Idaho first. When asked why she was trending toward Obama, she said there were 3 reasons: 1) I’m a woman of my word 2) He was instrumental in the 50 State Partnership Program and bringing back Congress and the Senate to Democrats, 3) He’d make a helluva president. Buehl added: “I’m from Idaho, we tell it like it is.” For more, Obama in Idaho, click here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/idhome
TEAM HILLARY!!! Hillary is currently not scheduled at this time to make any appearance in Idaho prior to Super Tuesday. I was not able to locate any physical offices for Hillary in Idaho, however she does representation. And of course, thousands of supporters in Idaho. For more, Hillary in Idaho, click here:http://www.hillaryclinton.com/hq/idaho/So….I will be updating when I get to the Kootenai County Caucus in the North Idaho College gym on Super Tuesday. I will be capturing this record turnout, speaking with Idahoans, and sharing the Kootenai Caucus with you as I experience it myself……….
Read more at my other blog at www.seattlepoliticore.org which goes live on Friday, Feb 1st, 2008.
Tags: caucus, clinton, democrat, democratic, election 2008, idaho, obama, politics, super tuesday
