I did my bit and caucused for Obama today.
It was a complete and utter trainwreck. I'm too tired to put this in narrative form, so I'll just do bullet points. Imagine this was written by a more talented writer
(more below the jump).
-- I arrived at a tiny public library with roughly 100 parking spots and a single cop directing traffic. Obviously, all the spots were full. I went across the street and parked at an apartment complex (it was gated; I snuck in behind somebody who lives there. Gated communities sure are useless.).
-- There were roughly 500 people lined up outside. By rule, we can't start caucusing until everybody is done voting. Because I'm in a poorer part of town with lots of college students, there were just three machines. We waited, and waited, and waited.
-- The volunteer in charge of everything declared that we had to have our voter registration numbers to caucus. That was NOT what I heard from the Obama campaign. I gave the Obama number a quick ring, and they confirmed that a voter registration number was preferred, but not required by law. They offered to send lawyers to the polling place. I told them I'd call back if such was needed.
-- I mentioned this to an Obama supporter I didn't know; to my chagrin, he was rather rude in setting the volunteer straight and did it by yelling at him in front of everybody. Things got awkward in a hurry.
-- The volunteer went to check on it, ultimately confirming that we didn't need registration numbers.
-- Most everybody was polite. A Clinton supporter who was, I'm afraid, a little overzealous ranted about Obama's inexperience, how naive it was to expect change in just one presidential campaign, how other heads of state wouldn't respect Obama, and how he would be supporting McCain in the general if Clinton wasn't the candidate. I am by no means claiming he's representative of Clinton supporters, but it was ugly.
-- Finally, around 8:00 (45 minutes after scheduled caucusing), we lined up in three camps outside the library: Obama, Clinton, and 'other' (they lumped the Kucinich dead-enders and those few showing up for McCain/Huckabee together). By this time, I've observed at least a few people leaving, as they had work or other things to get to.
-- "Clinton supporters please get over there! [i]points[/i]. Somebody cries out, "BOTH OF YOU!!!". And by somebody, I mean 'me'. Nonetheless, everybody is in good cheer and it's received in the spirit attended: Levity among people who are, at the end of the day, all together in this.
-- The Obama line was MUCH, MUCH bigger than the Clinton line. I consider switching allegiance so I can get out sooner (kidding, kidding).
-- We all file in, and the volunteer is handing out sheets EVERYWHERE. Somewhat disturbingly, nobody is checking IDs, and there's nothing stopping somebody from lining up with the Hillary supporters, 'signing' a sheet, and simply walking off with or otherwise destroying it. We are, essentially, on the honor system. Somebody brings this up to the volunteer within my earshot and he raises a point rather pragmatically: "You want to be here until 6 AM?".
-- Those who want to stay and debate issues or be elected delegates do so. Everybody else gets going.
-- Various wisecracks are made about how everybody should have to caucus, thus demonstrating we're unqualified to export democracy abroad.
In conclusion, the caucus is probably going to benefit Obama, since he has a better ground game and more enthusiasm (IMO). Objectively, it's a train wreck of a system that really should be reformed. Only the honor of Democratic Primary voters would prevent massive fraud. I could have signed for three or four people, had I been so inclined and had their information (name, address, etc.).
UPDATE: I'm humbled and honored to be on the rec list on this of all nights. Thank you one and all.