Rangeley
01-30-2008, 07:42 PM
I just got back from the caucus in Freeport, and there was a pretty small turnout. There was also quite a bit of press there, and I was interviewed about who I supported and why by PolitickerMe.com, and basically said the big issue for me was someone who would follow the constitution and restore civil liberties. Eventually speakers for Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, and John McCain spoke. Then a non binding show of hands was held, where people expressed their preference for President. Unfortunately, we only came in 2nd with 4 votes, Romney came in first with 10 votes. McCain came in 3rd with 1 vote, and noone else got any votes. I think part of the reason Romney did so well in this town is because a lot of people retire from Massachussetes and move here for "the simple life."
But of course this was only the non binding show of hands vote, after that we elected delegates to go to Augusta in May. I believe all 4 voters for Paul became delegates, including me, and it was totally uncontested as the town had 20 delegate positions and only 10 volunteers. That means there are 10 open spots for delegates from Freeport, to be added at the discretion of the chair of the meeting. This is a good opportunity to find people in town to take the open spots, and also it is something to keep in mind when the rest of the caucuses start in the state - chances are it will be easy for people to become delegates if they want to.
In any case, keep in mind that this certainly wasnt a college town, it only had 3 people under 20 who returned to vote in their home town probably just because it would be one of the earliest towns to vote (at least thats why I went.) If I had to describe the town, its basically where people from other states come to live, so it isnt the typical "gun loving, small government" sort of place that exists elsewhere in the state. So I dont know that we can really draw any trends from this, and I certainly dont want to bring anyone down by saying we only came in second there. What we can take from this early caucus is, its easy to get elected a delegate - which is all that matters - and if people get out there to vote I think they can easily make a huge impact.
But of course this was only the non binding show of hands vote, after that we elected delegates to go to Augusta in May. I believe all 4 voters for Paul became delegates, including me, and it was totally uncontested as the town had 20 delegate positions and only 10 volunteers. That means there are 10 open spots for delegates from Freeport, to be added at the discretion of the chair of the meeting. This is a good opportunity to find people in town to take the open spots, and also it is something to keep in mind when the rest of the caucuses start in the state - chances are it will be easy for people to become delegates if they want to.
In any case, keep in mind that this certainly wasnt a college town, it only had 3 people under 20 who returned to vote in their home town probably just because it would be one of the earliest towns to vote (at least thats why I went.) If I had to describe the town, its basically where people from other states come to live, so it isnt the typical "gun loving, small government" sort of place that exists elsewhere in the state. So I dont know that we can really draw any trends from this, and I certainly dont want to bring anyone down by saying we only came in second there. What we can take from this early caucus is, its easy to get elected a delegate - which is all that matters - and if people get out there to vote I think they can easily make a huge impact.