Don Walton: Democrats May Win Gamble
Jan 14, 06:45 AM CST
Don Walton: Democrats may win gamble
Lincoln Journal Star
Monday, Jan 14, 2008
Nebraska Democrats might cash in on their long-shot gamble after all.
“If this is not decided on Feb. 5, the states right after that are very important,” Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign manager said Saturday.
“If Feb. 5 is not determinative, we will campaign in states that come after that,” David Plouffe said.
Nebraska Democrats hold their first-ever presidential caucuses on Feb. 9.
In selecting that date, they wanted to avoid being lost in the mob of about two dozen states, including California, New York and New Jersey, that vote on Feb. 5.
And they hoped against hope that the Democratic presidential race still would be raging after those big states weigh in.
Then, Nebraska Democrats might have a voice in this year’s contest for their party’s presidential nomination.
Probably still a long shot, but the odds have narrowed. It conceivably could happen.
“There’s a chance this could continue through February,” Plouffe said.
Vic Covalt is the guy who has been organizing the caucuses in Lancaster County, devoting countless hours to arranging that complicated venture.
Fifty-three caucus sites have been chosen. Democrats will gather at schools, churches, union halls, apartment club houses, bars and restaurants to express their presidential preferences.
“We’re opening up the party, throwing the doors open,” Covalt says. “Come on in and let’s have a conversation.
“Here’s where you learn to run for office,” he says. “You’ll be competing for (county convention delegate) slots within your neighborhood and that’s a good place to start.”
Results of the presidential preference balloting ultimately will be reflected in national convention delegate selection.
Democrats who want to be delegates to the August convention in Denver need to begin that journey at their neighborhood caucus.
Republican voters will express their presidential preferences at the May 13 primary election.
If Pete Ricketts is right when he suggests the GOP could be headed toward a brokered convention for the first time in recent memory, think of how valuable those delegate slots would be.
Every delegate would be treated like a king or queen in Minneapolis-St. Paul in early September.
– by Eric Fought | Send this to a friend
