Going to a Precinct Caucus

Last night Susan and I went to our very first Minnesota Precint Caucus. It was very interesting event. First of all, it wasn't organized very well. At least in the beginning. They were only expecting about 20 people when over 100 people came they were totally overwhelmed and took some time to gather extra chairs. Sue and I came early so we had a place to sit at the beginning.

Finally after getting everyone accomodated. We began by reciting the pledge of alligance to the flag. Next we elected a chairman to run the event. It turned out that one of next door neighbors who lived behind us ended up running the show. (He was from the house that burned down two years ago.)

Then we elected a vice chairman. After that we elected delegates and alternates to the senate caucuses to be held next month. We got 12 delegates to the senate caucuses. This number of delegates we have to send on depends on the percentage of regitered voters who voted in the last general election. 12 delegates is a high number for a single precint. Most precints only get three or four. We got so many because we were the precint with the highest percentage of people who voted in the last general election in the whole state. Wow, I didn't know we were such a high voting place.

It was a rough and tumble process to be elected a delegate. People basically had to stand up and tell everyone why they should be elected and not someone else. I found out the the mayor of our little town lives not far from us. He was at the precint caucus with us. The old mayor was there also. He doesn't live far away either. Our State representative live just down the street from us all well as our county comissioner. They all got elected as delegates. Half our school board persons also live near by and they got elected delegates. Two of our other neighbers (the Remleys) was also very active and noisy and they got elected delegates also.

Finally after electing all the delegates and alternates. we had a staw poll of who we wanted to be the next president. Little ballots were passed out and you Xed the person you wanted to be president. Mitt Romeny won, in fact he got more than twice as many votes as the next closest person who was John McCain.

After the straw poll was over and counted, a lively discussion of what to include in the party platform insued. At that point Sue and I excussed ourselves and left. We wanted to stay but I have to be up for work at 4:15 in the morning and it was after 9:00 PM when we left.

It was a very interesting night. I want to go next time. Perhaps by then I will could be elected at delegate. It was very interesting to see democracy work at the local level.

Will Winter Ever End?

I just saw the pictures of Sydney at the beach and I contrast that with the look out our back window. Everything is snow covered and frozen solid. Mom and I did take a long walk out side today because it has warmed up to 28 degrees F today. Last week we braved temperatures in the -15 to -20 degree range and windchills down in the -50's

If I think 28 degrees is warm, I must have a permanently frozen brain. I don't even need a coat outside. We even saw a few birds returning. The neighbor kids run around outside with out any shoes and in shorts.

Yesterday Lorenzo particpated in a Mozart Piano Concerto contest. He did great! He really is going places with his music. He is also really good at the organ. I have heard him play at the big Lutheran church up in Center City.