Archive for Thursday, February 7, 2008
Party planners evaluate caucuses
Democratic leaders generally pleased but see room for improvement
February 7, 2008
Advertisement
6News video: Caucus dust settles
6News reporter Cory Smith reports on lessons learned from Tuesday's Democratic caucus and what we can expect for Saturday's Republican caucus. Enlarge video
2008 Kansas Democratic Caucus
Election 2008 - Kansas Caucuses
Full coverage of the 2008 Kansas Caucuses, including interactive map of polling places and a Q&A about the process.
Kansas Democratic caucus results
See comprehensive statewide and local results for the 2008 Democratic caucuses.
Supporters of Sen. Barack Obama, of Illinois, count themselves during a caucus on Tuesday at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds. More than 2,200 people turned out at the fairgrounds site. On Wednesday, one analyst suggested that more caucus sites should have been set up around the state to handle the crowds.
It was a party that came with both logistical hiccups and political enthusiasm.
Kansas Democratic Party leaders on Wednesday said the excitement surrounding more than 36,000 people who participated in Tuesday's caucuses also provided a tutorial on how to handle traffic and capacity problems.
"I don't think our staff could have done much better in execution, although I know we'll be criticized by the people standing outside," said Larry Gates, the Kansas Democratic Party chairman.
Also, some Democratic legislators said - based on Tuesday's huge turnout - they would support the state looking at funding presidential primary elections. Major complaints from Tuesday included traffic jams and having to turn away voters if they showed up late.
"I do not want people feeling disenfranchised," said state Rep. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City, who organized a Lawrence caucus site.
Holland said that Tuesday's turnout was great for Democrats, and that voters - some who had to stand in line as freezing rain pelted them - were cordial and enthusiastic. But the caucus sites needed to be in larger buildings, and he said the state should have presidential primary elections in the future.
Legislators last year declined to allocate the $2 million needed to run a statewide primary, forcing state parties to organize caucuses. In recent years, the state's caucuses were later in the presidential calendar. Turnout was low because the parties' nominees already were decided by voters in other states.
House Speaker Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls, was among those who said he would consider a primary, if the state could make itself relevant in the race.
Gates said the Democratic party was happy with how organizers handled Tuesday's major turnout, but he believes a primary election works better.
"I will be pushing the Legislature very hard to do a timely primary, not a primary that doesn't count, for the benefit of both parties," he said.
Others said that decision would depend on the political climate at the time.
"It's a long time until the next presidential election," said Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, R-Independence.
One pundit said that Kansas is inexperienced with caucuses and that the sites allowed for too many voters to attend, such as 2,218 people at the Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds. Organizers needed more districts across the state to spread out turnout, as is done in Iowa, said Don Haider-Markel, a Kansas University political science associate professor.
"You end up with all these people. It ends up being crazy, no matter what," he said.
While some Lawrence voters complained about long lines, parking issues and having been turned away because they were late to get in line, others said the caucuses provided a unique political experience.
"It's really positive for us to go and exercise our voting right in that way," said Hannah Love, a KU senior and student body president. "I hope in the future we have caucuses and after this year, I think they'll be a little bit more prepared on how to handle them."
Lawrence caucus site organizers said things operated smoothly once voters were checked in. They also made a good move by changing one caucus location from Liberty Hall to the fairgrounds. Liberty Hall was eventually needed anyway as an overflow caucus site due to the crowd at Abe & Jake's Landing.
"(Tuesday) night was an experience that we may not see for quite some time," said Rep. Paul Davis, D-Lawrence.
Republican caucus
Divvying delegates
Of the 36,663 total votes reported in Tuesday night's Kansas Democratic presidential caucuses, 4,872 votes, or 13.3 percent, were cast at Lawrence's three caucus sites, according to Kansas Democratic Party unofficial results.
Because of his victory, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, of Illinois, is set to pick up 23 of the 32 Kansas delegates at stake in the state caucuses. U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, of New York, won the remaining nine Kansas pledged delegates. Obama won 73 percent of Kansas votes, compared with Clinton's 25 percent.
- The Associated Press contributed to this report.
More like this
- Republicans not expecting caucus problems in county 18 comments / February 7, 2008
- Overflow crowds jam caucus sites 8 comments / February 6, 2008
- Flaw allows voters at both caucuses 9 comments / February 8, 2008
- Sebelius aims to supersize caucus turnout 53 comments / February 5, 2008
- Can he win Kansas? 75 comments / June 5, 2008
Top ads RSS
- KU Center for Educational
- Financial Manager Research & Graduate Studies (RGS) and the KU ...
- Research Assistant KU Requires bachelor's degree in biochemistry, chemistry, molecular ...
- Dining Services Supervisor Must be a CERTIFIED DIETARY MANAGER Hospitality ...
- Now Hiring Experienced Sales People $9/hour + commission + bonus ...
Marketplace
Arts & Entertainment · Bars · Theatres · Restaurants · Coffeehouses · Libraries · Antiques · Services
- KU's Wright didn't approach Perkins November 21, 2009 · 3 comments
- Nation has right to ask ‘why?’ November 21, 2009 · 40 comments
- Mangino's contract outlines probe November 21, 2009 · 66 comments
- Blog: Palin Book Could Be Your Cheapest Source For Winter Fuel November 20, 2009 · 80 comments
- Safe pathways November 21, 2009 · 10 comments
- Nothing to lose: Reeling KU huge underdog for a change November 21, 2009 · 25 comments
- Pregnant woman arrested in thefts November 21, 2009 · 3 comments
- Blog: We Noticed November 19, 2009 · 124 comments
- Mangino denies validity of former player allegations November 19, 2009 · 158 comments
- Blog: Why Do People Repeat Falsehoods? November 20, 2009 · 57 comments
- Mangino's contract outlines probe November 21, 2009
- Four decades in crisis mode November 21, 2009
- A sad story November 19, 2009
- Lawrence couple excel in triathlons November 21, 2009
- The cowboy way: Williamstown church ministry draws unique following November 21, 2009
- Obesity activist crossing country to urge American Indians to embrace healthier diet November 20, 2009
- Sexual healing: Dennis Dailey coaches couples with tough love at his intimacy workshop November 20, 2009
- Center for East Asian Studies celebrates 50 years of accomplishments November 21, 2009
- 75-year-old Topeka area man dies from H1N1; LMH reports flu activity November 20, 2009
- 40 years ago: Construction begins on Meadowlark addition November 21, 2009
7 February 2008
at 8:47 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
akt2 (Anonymous) says…
A petrie dish for influenza and the common cold germs. I bet some sick people didn't stay home because they were hell bent on “making a difference.” Well you probably did, and the others will start feeling their symptoms within the next day or two.
7 February 2008
at 8:56 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Marshalus (Michael Stanclift) says…
It wasn't just Lawrence that was packed. The polling site I was at in Johnson County had nearly 2,500 people there (2000 for Obama and 400 something for Clinton). It was an interesting experience.
7 February 2008
at 10:05 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
ifxstuf (Anonymous) says…
I was unable to attend the caucus. My wife also could not attend because of time restraints in our day. I wonder how many others did not get the chance to let their vote count because of the way the caucus is organized. I think the primary system would make more sense in this state.
7 February 2008
at 10:06 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
Gareth (Anonymous) says…
A petrie dish for influenza and the common cold germs.
That's why we have immune systems. We should all stop being such cry-babies.
7 February 2008
at 10:44 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
RonBurgandy (Anonymous) says…
You're right, I have the ebola virus, but I was not going to neglect my civic duty…
7 February 2008
at 11:39 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
samsonwharris (Anonymous) says…
The governor allocated money for a primary into the budget but republicans stripped it out
7 February 2008
at 11:48 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
moo (Anonymous) says…
“I don't think our staff could have done much better in execution, although I know we'll be criticized by the people standing outside,” said Larry Gates, the Kansas Democratic Party chairman.
My problem wasn't with the waiting outside for an hour in the freezing rain (although that was pretty darn annoying too), but with the extremely poor organization. They had registration sheets, but no pens, and no clipboards so you had to fill them out somehow in the rain with nothing hard to write on. Then when we got inside (at 200 Iowa) there was no caucus, just a disorganized mess consisting of two lanes, one for Obama and one for Clinton. You walked down one and they tallied you. It was ridiculous. No one could explain what was going on, and voters ended up being harassed by supporters from both sides to chose their lane.
I really hope primaries happen next time, because this “caucus” was completely disorganized, confusing, and cold.
7 February 2008
at 12:29 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
twelvepackterry (Anonymous) says…
Some hiccup! Some data between the voters list to the printer was lost.
Did a random calling of other counties (5 of them) as well. Two other counties of five called reported the same issue, which means that a total of three of six (including Douglas in this one) counties called experienced this same problem.
I would say that there should be more personal vigilance of data transfer. Particularly transfer of personal data, with street address, birthdate, full name and so on. I declined to give SS # when registering 8 years ago but it is asked for on the registration form, or was.