Wednesday, February 06, 2008

super tuesday in ak

We may not have made the national news, but we made history up here yesterday - the most people to EVER vote in the Alaskan democratic caucus! by far. I know other states had to deal with major snowstorms or tornadoes - but the fact that so many people drove all the way to south fairbanks in 35 below ice fog to vote in a totally republican state with only 3 delegates... totally amazing. I had never been to a caucus before, and neither had most of the people in the way overcrowded community center - it was pure chaos, and a totally arcane system. It took over 2 hours, in true fairbanks sytle there were some very ornery and rude folks yelling "just vote, just vote already" through the speeches. People are just stripping off the layers it was so hot and crowded in there, until most of us were down to a tshirt and mukluks, big down jacket, wool sweater, hat and gloves all tied around the waist. Then each person had to count off, starting over in this corner, to determine how many people are in the room. Are you serious?? And then the fire marshal and police tried to shut it all down since everyone had parked illegally in the street (the parking lot held maybe tops 50 cars, but hundreds of people turned out)
then FINALLY we could vote - no circles to fill in here - just go stand in a corner for your candidate. And basically the whole room went over to Barack's side. it was very cool.
Fairbanks at least, is clearly ready for some real change.
skijoring last weekend when it was warm (well, 20 degrees warmer than it is now).

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