literature

Denton Democrats Caucus

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By Charlie McRae, contributing writer.

As the sun set Tuesday evening, Texas voters took to the polls.

One would have thought it was a rock concert, or that some celebrity had made a surprise appearance, but no: the line that stretched around the corner of the First Baptist Church on 1100 Malone Street was a line of Democrats.
At least 500 people braved the cold as they stood in line to caucus Tuesday. The caucus could not begin until the last person voted, and at least 50 people were still in line to vote when the polls closed at 7pm. The caucusing began around 8pm, and the crowd was so large that people were divided into their precincts outside of the church, instead of being let inside. The neat organized line of Democrats suddenly dissipated, as people scrambled to find their precincts, which were designated by white cardboard signs people were holding up, with the numbers scribbled on them.
“I haven’t seen a line like this in 30 years,” said Chuck Norton, Obama supporter and NT Visual Arts model. “I’ve been voting in Texas since 1980, and I’ve never seen a turnout like this.”
Norton said the crowds were huge in comparison to those of 2004, mostly because the Democratic nominee was already decided before Texas got to caucus.
“Obama will win the nomination and will win the presidency,” Norton said. “If Obama is our nominee, we will beat McCain.”
A total for the number of people who voted was posted on the door, updated last at 5:30pm, and stated that 1,085 people had cast their ballot.
Heather and Jason Esteves, along with 3-year-old daughter Aurora, Obama supporters, waited in line to sign the caucus sheet in precinct 408.
“He’s been positive and inspiring,” Heather said. “He is the face of change,” added her husband.
Curt Smith, Sophomore, Houston stood holding a Hilary sign above his head in the line for precinct 415. Signs and memorabilia were allowed within 100 feet of the caucus voting area, in stark contrast with the rules of primary voting.
“She seems like she’d support the United States better than any candidate that I’ve seen,” Smith said.
On the other side of the building, Donald Norman-Cox, UNT Alumnus, waited in the crowd for precinct 405 to sign his name for Barack Obama.
“It’s not a question of what I think his qualifications are, the reason I’m voting for him is because of my father, and my fathers’ father, and all the fathers before them, have been waiting for this moment, and it’s up to me to deliver,” Norman-Cox said. “I’m a believer,” he stated, standing below the church steeple.
As the night went on, the crowds only thinned slightly. Several people still remained for the caucusing process, which is more than just the signing of ones’ name. H.W. “Wib” Kamp was among those people. Former UNT Political Science professor of 39 years, and World War II Veteran, Kamp braved the cold to support Hilary Clinton.
“She’d make a fine president,” Kamp said. “She has the experience and the judgment to be president.” He went on to say that we know her characteristics, where as we do not know as much about Senator Obama.
“I’d rather not take a chance with someone who’s going to run the country,” Kamp said.
At one point, one volunteer said, the caucus sheets ran out, and they had to use a different kind.
“They could sign in on a sheet of paper if they wanted to,” he said.
In precinct 415, the results were about 3 to 1 for Obama. The results from across the state will be coming in overnight. As of now, it’s too close to call.
As per one of my journalism classes, we're required to write articles for the student newspaper here at the University of North Texas. The paper is called the NT Daily. An article I wrote hurriedly last night is on todays front page.

I'm not enormously proud, but it is slightly nifty.


online article: [link]


photo of front page: [link]

photo published with the article: [link]

a few other photos: [link]
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ItsTwoBrothers's avatar
heh, I'm also from Denton

I was so proud to hear how many votes Obama got from Denton County and how they helped him get as many delegates from Texas as he ended up getting

our votes helped him stay basically in the same position he was in with Hillary despite how much she won in Ohio

I would say that even though I like Obama better, I'd love to see him select Hillary as his running mate