I was very pleased with the Kansas Caucus I attended last night that covered Sumner and Cowley counties. At our caucus location they (the organizers) were only expecting 80 people and 494 registered democrats showed up. Something like 25 Independents and 16 Republicans showed up as observers, or actually switched to the Democratic party. One lady had been a Republican for something like 30 years and the gentleman organizing the event went and found her regisitration card from back then and actually handed in back to her. It was a moving moment.

The vote was 67% Obama, 33% Clinton at my location. I am a Hillary supporter so I wished it would have been more equal or in her favor BUT...

I was just glad to see other Democrats in my district. I have felt so utterly alone in a see of Republican Red. I knew they had to be out there somewhere, but getting to meet them last night was nice. I am sure if the weather had been better (it was snowing and VERY windy) and it was an all day event like a primary vote and not just something at night there would have been more of us. Our area is heavily into manufacturing and farming and those people in those industries are on different 'shifts'. Two of my girlfriends husbands wanted to come and support Hillary but couldn't because they both work 2nd shift at the Boeing Spirit plant, and because of that, my girlfriends had to stay home with their children. SO - there are four Hillary supports that couldn't get out last night. I know the general election in November will be different, but as the caucus helps picks the nominee, this kind of blows. Also, due to the weather, the parents of one of my girlfriends were afraid to go out being elderly and weary of slipping on the ice and snow. Had this been a primary, they could have voted during the daylight hours when the weather was perfect. For all those out there who are aware of the weather in Kansas - it changes at the drop of hat. I was told the reason why Kansas uses the caucus rather than a primary vote is because of the expense. Well, shoot, this was the first time there has been a caucus/primary for Democrats in Kansas in more than three decades! You think the state party would have thought about this and kicked up the dough for a primary. That's the only bummer - I feel so many were left out. I mean, my caucus site was 24 miles from my home. 24 miles in near blizzard condictions is just not a fun time to drive AND there is no public transportation. Had this been a vote my regluar polling station is less than a block from my house, I could have walked. OR I could have voted then gone and watched my two girlfriends children and they could have voted. *sigh* Well, it is said and done, and not everyone's voice got to be heard. Still -

Everyone was very excited and respectful, which is very important to me as some people on this website were starting to make me feel that rudeness was a new requirement to being in this party. What I felt was most important was the message of the night came together as "no matter if the nominee is Obama or Clinton, the Democratic party is the first party to offer up a viable African American candidate and a viable female candidate." The party is about progress and diversity. Either of them will be a testament to that fact, and regardless of which one is chosen, we as Democrats need to support the nominee. It was a proud moment in my life to be able to stand up and be counted. Also, to be a part of such a group of like minded people (despite our minor differences) there to support the Democratic platform was thrilling. I hope you got to go to your caucus or primary, because I am sure it was something to be remembered. It was special.