my pink toes

Washington state is a caucus state. We also have a primary election (on Tuesday, Feb 19). Why both? It's complicated.

Democrats are assigning all their delegates based on the results of tomorrow's caucus. Republicans are splitting their delegates 49/51 between the caucus and the primary. The primary vote for Democrats is purely advisory and non-binding.

I am mixed on the caucus system. On one hand, I like it because it gets people talking in groups about issues and candidates instead of just in their heads (or on their blogs - heh). On the other hand, caucuses favor the more passionate (extreme) in each party: for the Democrats, it's the far left - for the Republicans, it's the far right. You have to be pretty passionate and motivated to give up a huge chunk of a Saturday to congregate with argumentative neighbors in a cold and echo-y elementary school cafeteria. The most passionate tend to be those with more "extreme" views.

I'm going to caucus on Saturday. I think it's important to participate in the democratic (small "d") process, even if it's inconvenient or I don't have a specific "agenda". I have a candidate I believe in and want to get him as many delegates as I can.

Will you join me?
Click HERE for Democratic caucus locations
Click HERE for Republican caucus locations (King County)

See you at 1:00!