Nebraska Democratic Party: McCook Gazette: Making History

McCook Gazette: Making History

Jan 19, 10:32 AM CST

Nebraska Democrats Making History
The McCook Gazette
Saturday, January 19, 2008

Nebraska voters have a chance to make history in a couple of weeks.

Nebraska voters who are registered Democrats, that is.

That’s because for the first time, each Nebraska county will have a caucus to determine voters’ preferences for president on Saturday, Feb. 9.

That’s far ahead of Nebraska’s primary election, set for May 13.

So far, in fact, that it may actually affect the outcome of the race for the presidential nominations for the party.

“In February, Nebraska has an opportunity that has not been presented to us in a long time,” Matt Connealy, executive director of the Nebraska Democratic Pary wrote in a letter to the editor.

“We have the opportunity to say who the next presidential nominee will be. Ultimately, this decision will set the course for a new Democratic President of the United States,” he said, optimistically.

He urged Democrats to go to nebraskademocrats.org or call (800) 677-7068 to find out where their local, first time Presidential Caucus will be held.

Details for many caucuses are still being worked out, but the ones we know about include:

Red Willow County, 2 p.m. CST in the commissioners room on the third floor of the courthouse.

Chase County, 5 p.m. MST in the Champion Community Center (the former Champion school building).

Dundy County, 1 p.m. MST in the Dundy County Courthouse jury room in Benkelman.

Hayes County, 1:15 p.m. CST at the Bull’s Cafe in Hayes Cener.

Perkins County, 1 p.m. MST at the Madrid Community Hall in Madrid.

Hitchcock County volunteers hope to have caucuses in Palisade, Stratton, Trenton and Culbertson, and we have been unable to find out about Frontier County caucuses.

We hope the novelty increases interest and participation, although anything that involves turning out for a specific meeting at a specific time would seem to hurt attendance.

But it wouldn’t take much to improve Red Willow County’s turnout, which ran at less than a third of eligible voters for our last election.

It should be an interesting process to observe, even if one isn’t a member of the Democratic Party.

– by Eric Fought | Send this to a friend

Eric, a whole bunch of Nebraskans are going to discover that there are darned few places more fun or interesting than a roomful of Democrats.
— Steve Hollister Jan 20, 02:27 PM CST #
Another history making event took place this past weekend as Democrats from around the 3rd Congressional District gathered in Grand Island to be the very first to form a Congressional District Organization. To read more about it, please click on the link below the photo.

Jay Stoddard greets the delegates that came from all over the western 3/4 of Nebraska.

3rd CDO Has First Meeting
— Daisy Fay Jan 20, 09:50 PM CST #
Great way to put it Steve. You’re absolutely right. After all, that’s what this is all about…coming together with our friends and neighbors for a fun process. I wish I could join in.
— Eric Fought Jan 20, 10:15 PM CST #
I just took part in a mock caucus in Wahoo. It was so fun to be in a room with democrats and so stimulating to be part of the process. This is the first time in my 29 years as a voting adult I feel like I will have a say in the presidency. It’s very exciting!

I have to add however, that relatives in Neligh and friends in Wayne that I’ve communicated with since had no idea that we were caucusing or where/when/how to do it. We need more information put out. What can I do?
— Marian Ingwersen Jan 21, 06:24 PM CST #
Spread the word, spread the word. Write a letter to the edotor, call your local radio station and ask them to interview you, just spread the word. Get a list of dems in your precinct and hand out leaflets for your candidate with the location of the caucus.
Just have fun doing it and remember, this is a moment in time that will not come again for another 40 years.
— Vince Powers Jan 22, 08:38 AM CST #