Posted on 02/10/2008 2:30:34 AM PST by mdittmar
Mid-Columbians, including many newcomers to the political process, filled schools or libraries Saturday to attend precinct caucuses and voice their choice for president.
Precinct caucuses in past election cycles typically attracted only the party faithful. But this year, Democratic and Republican events in locations throughout Benton and Franklin counties lured hundreds who never had participated in the grassroots process.
At stake were the allocation of delegates to each parties' nominating conventions later this year. Democrats used the caucuses exclusively to decide their delegates, while Republicans will give nearly equal weight to caucuses and the Feb. 19 presidential primary.
An estimated 1,400-plus attended Democratic caucuses in Benton County, believed to be the largest turnout ever, said Bob Parazin, county chairman. Barack Obama wound up with 295 delegates, while Hillary Clinton got 190, according to preliminary results.
Among Franklin County Democrats, Obama got 63 delegates, while Clinton had 59, said Chairman David Chassin.
Franklin County Republicans met in Pasco, Basin City and Connell. In Pasco, Mike Huckabee got 33 delegates, Ron Paul got 22, Mitt Romney 13 and John McCain 11. Romney got nine delegates in Basin City, Huckabee eight, McCain seven and Paul five. And in Connell, Huckabee wound up with five delegates, McCain two, and Romney and Paul one apiece, said county chairman Shawn Sant.
Preliminary results still were being tabulated among Benton County Republicans.
For many Saturday, it was a chance to be heard. Here's how the day went for local Republicans and Democrats:
Benton, Franklin GOP
Turnout was large for Franklin County Republicans at the group caucus for all precincts in the southern part of the county, including Pasco.
"There's a lot more interest in the election process than ever before," said Patrick Guettner, caucus chairman. About 100 attended his group caucus.
Rafael Torres of Pasco who attended his first caucus to support Ron Paul, left as a delegate for Paul, a Texas congressman, to the Franklin County Republican convention in March.
"He's the only one who upholds his pledge to the Constitution with his consistent record," Torres said.
Jason and Nichole Caryl of Kennewick also attended their first caucus to support Paul, finding him a man who could be counted on based on his unwavering stands on issues and his 51-year marriage, they said.
Nichole Caryl also said she agreed with Paul's stance on ending the war in Iraq, saying that it's an ideological war that cannot be won.
If Paul's not a choice on the ballot in November, she won't vote for president, she said.
Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, also had his backers.
"It's a long shot, but its not decided by any means," said Greg Beeler of Pasco a Huckabee supporter.
"I like his values. I really like his tax plan," said Gene Miller of Pasco who was attending his first caucus.
If Huckabee does not win, front-runner McCain would make a strong candidate, Beeler said.
That was why Javier Ruiz of Pasco said he supported McCain. The Arizona senator has the momentum to win the nomination and "I'd rather him win than a Democrat," Ruiz said.
Ed Smolak of Pasco has not given up on former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, even though Romney suspended his bid for the nomination last week. He said he likes Romney's character and the work he has accomplished in Massachusetts.
Benton, Franklin Democrats
The young and the old turned out in Benton and Franklin counties to support Obama.
Obama is about change, optimism and the desire to do the right things, said former Republican Kirk Sanders, 39, who came to Southridge High School in Kennewick to be counted as an Obama supporter. An estimated 300 attended the caucus.
"Americans want to believe America is good," he said, adding Obama will help "clean and polish" the country's image.
Molly Hamaker-Teals, a Kennewick school teacher, participated in her first caucus.
"Obama can lead this nation in the direction we need to go," Hamaker-Teals, 35, said while helping other caucus attendees find their precinct tables in the school auditorium.
Similar sentiments were expressed at the Plumber and Steamfitters Local 598 Union Hall in Pasco, the site of Democratic caucus in Franklin County. An estimated 300 people also turned out there.
It's essential to get involved in the political process, said John J. Patrick, a Pasco precinct caucus chairman. A former John Edwards supporter, Patrick is rooting for Obama.
"(Obama) brings people together," the 55-year-old Patrick said.
At his table, Obama garnered seven votes and Hillary Clinton got four votes, he said. A lot of participants had concerns that Clinton may be unable to attract independent voters because some see her as part of the political establishment, he said.
First-time caucus participant Brian Barton, 18, of Pasco, said Obama is a strong leader who'll unite a divided nation and help end the war in Iraq and its drain on the country's resources.
Two families, the Clintons and the Bushes, have held the presidency for too long, said Barton who is studying economics and music at Whitman College in Walla Walla.
Retired school counselors Elaine and Ed Reinking of Kennewick also first-timers, called Obama a voice of conciliation.
"Obama inspires me," said Ed Reinking, adding war, health care and energy are big issues in the presidential campaign. He said Obama brings a fresh and flexible approach to deal with the issues.
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