So Salsa, when are we going to do our next TE get together?

[KnottedYet]

I'm doing the primary thing Tuesday, but not the caucus. (heck, I don't even know what I'm doing, just doing the ballot that came in the mail)

[MM_QFC!]

I'm doing the primary thing Tuesday, but not the caucus. (heck, I don't even know what I'm doing, just doing the ballot that came in the mail)

Knot, that was my plan too, until I learned yesterday that our primary ballots actually will have NO bearing on our state delegates or towards selecting a presidential nominee - it all happens during the caucuses tomorrow.
I wanted to give Salsa the heads' up, as I didn't know this when we first made the TE plans and I absolutely plan to participate in the caucus.
It should be done by around 2ish, so I expect that Linda and I'll be late arrivals @ 3ish - with polenta in hand!

[Bruno28]

Have a great time guys!!!!

[mimitabby]

what do you mean the primary doesn't count???

Oh Bikerhen, the weather is certainly not being very helpful!!!

[MM_QFC!]

http://www.wa-democrats.org/caucusfinder

what do you mean the primary doesn't count???

Oh Bikerhen, the weather is certainly not being very helpful!!!

Hey Mimi - I'll post what my son sent me by way of explanation; also embedded in it is a link to find your caucus site. First, I'll regretfully agree with you re: the weather, as I've seen numerous reports that show frightful pictures of heavy snow up at Snoqualmie and all of the major passes keep getting closed, so I'd be cautioning you, BikerHen to maybe reconsider the safety of trying to get over here...it isn't as though we'll never get together again and it really seems like dicey driving...

here's the caucus vs. primary explanation:

What's with Washington State having both a caucus and primary? Do they both count?

As we know, state parties usually choose to assign their Presidential delegates with either a caucus (like Iowa) or a primary (New Hampshire). Washington and several other states, for various historical reasons, have ended up with both. The important thing for Democrats to know is that only the caucus on February 9 will count in the Presidential nominating race.

The state's primary is essentially an after-the-fact beauty contest, and has been since it was created by voter initiative in 1989. If you want to participate in the voting on Saturday, you can use this caucus finder to find the one closest to your home.

"So what is the particular nature of Washington State's situation of having both a primary and caucus, if only one of them matters?"

The drama saga behind it is essentially a dispute over who should get to choose a political party's Presidential nominee. Many Independents hold the perfectly reasonable belief that they should get to participate in the nominating contest without having to declare (via ballot checkbox) that they are a member of either party. The political parties, on the other hand, feel as though only members of the party should choose the party's nominee. I don't get to vote for the governor of California, after all, or team captain of the Mariners.

Yet because it was enacted by voter initiative, we still have a statewide primary. But the parties either pay no attention to it (Democrats) or change their mind every four years (Republicans).

"What do the Republicans do differently than the Democrats? Why does this get less local media attention?"

This year the Republicans, bitterly divided over a possible McCain nomination, have decided that 49% of their delegates will be determined from the GOP-only caucus, 51% from the general primary.

[salsabike]

Yes, the primary thing is REALLY annoying. The Dems will not assign ANY delegates from the primary, only from the caucuses. Arrrr.

Yeah, BikerHen, I sure hope one of the passes opens! Please be careful. Like you need me to tell you that...(but somehow I still need to say it!)

Re the ride: We plan to go although may turn around a little early if we think we need to to make sure we're here before 2 pm. Please know that you all are more than welcome to take hot showers here after the ride!

So given MM_QFC's info, I repeat--if anyone feels they need to go to their caucus, just let us know.

[salsabike]

Have a great time guys!!!!

Bruno, we'll miss you!

WHAT, less than two weeks??? Did you get your leave??? Spill it, girl.

[KnottedYet]

I won't be able to ride tomorrow, family duties.

Smoothie party, though! We'll be there!

[mimitabby]

the way it looks outside i don't think any of us is going to ride. Raleighdon already knows we are "fair weather" riders.

[Trek420]

the way it looks outside i don't think any of us is going to ride. Raleighdon already knows we are "fair weather" riders.

Then you should all be living here, nice weather this weekend

[MM_QFC!]

the way it looks outside i don't think any of us is going to ride. Raleighdon already knows we are "fair weather" riders.

Yeah, I was going to let you know that I am going to opt out of riding...too bad to have to cancel, but the weather is supposed to continue pretty harshly all weekend.

Trek - make sure that good weather hangs around for the Tour starting next weekend...amazingly, there's been great weather for the northern stages so far...