raucus caucus

It's kind of a rush, experiencing our participatory democracy on a grassroots level.

I was a caucus virgin going into tonight, and had no idea what to expect. I certainly didn't expect 719 participants crowded into a high school cafeteria in what must have been the fire marshall's worst nightmare (and that was just the democrats in just one of the two precincts caucusing in the high school tonight!). I didn't expect to run into the bishop and his wife and to make small talk about my sermon from last Sunday! And whoa baby; I really didn't expect Obama to get more support than Clinton, Edwards, Richardson and Biden combined. Sometimes Iowa surprises me in a big way.

Until the very last minute, I wasn't sure which way I was leaning. In terms of the issues, I align most closely with Dennis Kucinich, but in nobody's wildest dreams was he going to be a viable candidate-- not even his own. So I made my choice, cast my lot, and there I sat, standing with Obama.

And I've got hope.