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continued from page 1 - County well represented at
Democrat state convention
Nowhere is the democratic process seen more clearly than during the
31 simultaneous senatorial district caucuses. The often lengthy
ordeals can be confusing to experienced party leaders and proved
especially so to the large numbers of first-time participants this
year. During these crucial meetings, delegates elect members of
vital state committees as well as delegates to the national
convention.
Cherokee is one of 16 counties in Senatorial District 3. Eldridge
Moak, elected to the State Committee for Nominations, pointed out
"There was a real effort to allow different groups to participate.
Delegates, in the general assembly, then voted on our slate of
nominees."
County delegate David Ham ran into stiff competition in his
unsuccessful bid to become the lone SD3 Obama national delegate. The
caucus ran into a few bumps during the election of presidential
elector, necessitating a follow-up meeting the next day. Democracy
can be a slow, messy process at times.
During the past three months, Texas Democrats learned "won" is a
relative term. Sen. Clinton "won" the primary vote but Sen. Obama
"won" the caucus vote. Saturday, the uncertainty was put to rest
when it was announced delegates gave the nod to Obama, who will
receive 99 of the state's national delegates to Clinton's 94.
Elizabeth Glass, an alternate delegate and first-time convention
attendee, summarized her experience by saying, "The convention made
me realize how to get our local wants and needs to the county, state
and national levels. I now see how the Democratic Party works. I
really didn't have a clue before - I didn't know who the people were
or that so many were involved. During the weekend, I began to see
that the Clinton and Obama supporters could unify, and by the end, I
felt we were. I'm definitely more interested now and will do more
for the Democratic Party than just vote."
As for having press credentials at a political convention, I learned
they are tickets to seating at the front of the room. They are met
equally with instant smiles and skepticism. And, they are meant for
young people who live on coffee and no sleep.
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well represented at Democrat state convention
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