Did Howard Dean cause this many headaches in '04?

[CoolOnion]

In '04, I went to "precinct training" sponsored by Dean For America at my local Central Market. They told us about the precinct convention/caucus process that some precincts are "vacant," with no precinct chair, and that if no one showed up to the precinct convention to "grab the packet" and sign yourself up as a delegate to the senatorial district convention.

They went through all the complicated math about apportionment of delegates. It looked really daunting.

After the meeting, I told the person in charge that I didn't feel qualified to do any of that stuff, and he asked my precinct number. I gave it to him, and he said not to worry, that there was precinct chair who'd done it for a long time, and that the meeting would be run in an orderly way.

Sure enough, at my convention, everything ran calmly and smoothly, though the Precinct Chair did look a bit nervous to see all us new people showing up.

I'm hoping both parties are looking up information for people, as Dean's people did, reassuring people in precincts like mine that yes, there is a precinct chair in place who will run the meeting according to Texas Democratic Party rules.

From what I'm hearing, both campaigns are telling people how to take over the meeting, insinuating that the person in charge won't know what they're doing!

That's scaring me, because this time I'm the Precicnt Chair! I do know what I'm doing, 'cause I've spent a great deal of time going over the material. The last thing I want is a bunch of disruptive newbies trying to take over my meeting!

So my question to my fellow former Deaniacs is--did we cause this much trouble in '04?

[crispini]

1. LOL!

I've already talked to the precinct captains for both campaigns. I think they're both happy with me. I do think they had gotten a similar message.

I think we're going to have even MORE people turn out for this one than we did in 04. :bounce:

[CoolOnion]

2. Good idea to talk to them

Did you find out who they are from the campaign websites? I have a pretty good idea who's voting for who, but don't know if any one's a "captain."

[crispini]

3. The Obama captain hosted an event about a week ago, that's how I met her.

I went to the event. Then I ran into a neighbor at a Hillary rally and she told me she was the captain then. You could probably just call some of the various supporters and they might know. :hi:

[TexasThoughtCriminal]

4. In '04, my long-time chair ran it

But remember, back then the primary wasn't contested, as Dean had dropped out by then. It was a small group of about 8, informal (no strict Robert's Rules), nothing controversial, and short.

I will be judging in a precinct with a chair, but I don't think she will show up. Consequently, no one has contacted me, and if anyone gets too pushy I will tell them I will release the packet to the chair if she shows up. When she doesn't, I'll release it to whom I think will be most trustworthy.

[sonias]

5. Howard Dean was our first drink of clean water

I thank Howard Dean still to this day. This election may be brining us a lot of new voters and attention and money, and all of that is totally fabulous. But Howard Dean gave us that first drink of hope in 2004. And with these last four years of organizing since then, a lot more of us are so much better trained and prepared. And his 50 state strategy has been a lifesaver for all of us good Ds stuck in these southern red states.

No Dean was never any trouble to us. In my 2004 convention we probably had 20 people show up and about 6 of us were Deaniacs. But like other posters have already said - it wasn't a close contested race by the time of our primary.

:loveya: I still have a big crush on Dr. Dean.


Sonia

[NoPasaran]

6. In 2004 ten people showed up for my precinct caucus

Not a lot of fireworks (although Dean did win my precinct with 40%). We were happy to let our precinct chair run the meeting. I think we were done by 8 PM.

[thevoiceofreason]

7. 1984 really sucked.

Mondale vs. Hart vs. Jackson

[Justitia]

8. In '04, Dean won 100% of my precinct - all 2 of us, my husband & me - LOL!

I was the chairman, he became the secretary. What a riot. I lived in a very red, semi-rural area which I think had never seen a precinct convention before.

Thank God the Dean campaign had completely armed me with boatloads of info, I came prepared with a total notebook of stuff! I had signs, papers, nametags, the whole nine yards!
The Dean Campaign taught us - "Just Do It" and we did!

It was great training, 'tho, and very funny. The only sad part was watching the 30 republicons file past for their primary :-(

We live in a different area now (Houston!), and when I looked up our precinct, we actually have 21 delegates now - amazing! Oh what a difference geography can make.

Tomorrow night should be interesting. I'll be prepared again w/that notebook!