This is “super Tuesday” or “terrible Tuesday” or some such thing indicating the significance of the date in determining the 2016 Presidential candidates. This will be the first time I have participated in a political process in Minnesota. Politics in North Dakota was different. I decided early on that I have Democratic values and I have mostly voted with that party. I participated one time in the “primary process” in North Dakota. I think it has an unusual name – maybe district convention or something. I remember attending one such event. The specifics have faded a bit, but the process was quick. I checked a candidate on a slip of paper and was told I could pick up materials from a table. I had no use for a bumper sticker so I passed. It was very quick and small. I am thinking being a North Dakota dem had a lot to do with the experience.
The Minnesota experience was very different. I was not certain how a caucus went so I looked it up online. I thought I had participated in a caucus in North Dakota, but I checked and this does seem to be the case. The crowd here was immense. Far larger than I remember for any vote I cast in ND. I understand the caucus process is about more than a preference count, but few are interested in the platform or becoming delegates. There must be some way to separate those interested in these other commitments and accommodate the mob that just wants to state a preference. The crowd was a great thing and I hope there is some significance in the level of interest.
No funny stuff in this post. This is a serious matter. My concern is that many are disturbed by the negativity and extremism that now seems to dominate the political discourse in this country. We deserve better from our leaders.
