Well, so much for objectivity. For once in my life, I'm decidedly keen on a candidate – made up my mind in the last six weeks – but I can't caucus tonight because I'm registered as an independent. The rule is that you must be registered with a party by December 5, 2007, to participate in a caucus. That's no problem for party-line voters, but for independents, it's a pickle. I can see how frustrating this would be for third party candidates and their supporters.
I'm disappointed. I went to a caucus training session in my neighborhood (before realizing the rules and remembering how I was registered), and wow, I was overcome with inspiration and civic pride. Funny what a little education will do – I admit I didn't fully understand how the caucus worked until this training session. I'd also never been to a candidate headquarters before. I walked around, wide eyed, like a farmgirl in Times Square. The headquarters were in a warehouse, abuzz with voices and hugs and handshakes. It was high energy. In the main room, dozens of people sat at long tables with cell phones in one hand and a finger in their other ear to block the noise. About 45 of us assembled in the corner for the training, and a woman stood on a chair so her voice would reach us. I looked around the crowd to try to nail a demographic. It was impossible. We were everyone.
Remember on "Green Acres" when Eddie Albert would occasionally drift off into a monologue about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness – and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" would play in the background? I was having one of those moments.
Tomorrow is the 20th anniversary of the day I became eligible to vote, also known as my 38th birthday. While I've voted in every election since then, big and small, this is the year I feel most informed and engaged. I can't caucus tonight, but I'm volunteering in my neighborhood. And I'll be glued to the Internet and TV to watch returns.
Jim Lehrer's rounding them up tonight at 10, so tune in. Also, the hard-working
Online NewsHour will be updating throughout the day.
Is anyone in the mood for an anonymous poll? I'd love to hear who's got your vote tonight and any details you'd like to share about your involvement in the caucus. Is this your first time to caucus? Are you feeling strongly about your candidate or voting against someone else? You don't have to leave your name below. (You could enter your name as Eddie Albert, and we'd never know the difference.)
Happy Super Duper Tuesday, my fellow Americans. And a personal thanks to Susan B. Anthony and friends for this opportunity. I find it unfathomable that our founding fathers didn't think certain people were fit to vote. But that's what's great about Election Day. The past can be left in the dust – starting now.
-Allison, Rocky Mountain PBS
