by Dante Atkins (hekebolos) [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

It's an exercise that nobody likely cared very much about four years ago.  And I would imagine that people aren't likely to care about it four years from now, because it seems that the Democratic primary process will have undergone some modification by then.  But right now, who California's at-large DNC members--i.e., superdelegates--are, has captured the popular imagination.

An election like this doesn't happen every day.  In fact, only about 300 people get to vote  for these voters (who do DNC business besides, but that's not nearly as sexy) every four years.  This year, I happened to be one of them, as I was proxying for Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti.

Brian gave you the election results earlier.  But what's the voting process like?  We all believe in election integrity, after all.

For more, go below the fold.  With photos.

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

We have our fair share of labor skirmishes here, (I refer you to my WTF is up with SEIU posts) but Nevada has its share as well. In the presidential caucus battles, well skirmishes would be putting it nicely.  Marc Cooper describes it in different terms:

But this is no run-of-the-mill get-out-the-vote campaign of the sort frequently run by labor in election season. This isn't a ground game, to use the parlance. It's a veritable ground war. Campaign against campaign. Union against union. Unions against the Democratic Party. Even faction against faction inside some unions. (Marc Cooper 1/17/08)

The battle seems to really have been set up when the Culinary Workers, who represent many casino workers, endorsed Barack Obama. Just two days later, the Nevada State Education Association, who are generally considered unofficial Clinton supporters, sued to block caucus locations in casinos. Well, the Culinary workers aren't exactly digging that. And this election might be different than other Nevada elections, with powerful ramifications for the unions:

by Karen Kostoff [courtesy of Blog for America]

Hi DFA Member;

I know you all heard from me or Teresa calling or emailing to find out who you support to be the nominee in the Democratic Presidential Caucus next week. Originally intended to have this done before the Iowa Caucus. That's why some answers reflect GREAT candidates that have since dropped out. Reason being, we had a hard time hearing back from people. So of our 183 members between Las Vegas and Henderson we actually only got 49 responses.

Unfortunately, we had some wrong numbers or emails. So it would be great if you could log in to your DFA account and update your profiles for us.

(Click Read More for the rest of this post)

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Paul Hogarth

Barack Obama’s victory in the Iowa caucus last night sent a powerful message of change – as a record turnout (especially among young voters) picked him the winner with 38% of the total vote. John Edwards, who likewise ran a populist campaign that emphasized change, came in second place with 30%. When asked what was the most important factor in a candidate, voters picked “change” over “experience” by a 51-20 margin – giving Hillary Clinton's establishment campaign a humiliating 3rd place finish at 29%. Obama defied expectations by even beating Clinton among women and registered Democrats, which questions her viability as a candidate. But while Obama’s insurgent campaign has crystallized the message of change, the dirty little secret in presidential primaries is that the establishment always wins. As the fight moves to New Hampshire and other states, Obama’s campaign will have to defy historical precedent to dethrone the Clinton dynasty. I believe he can prevail, but it will be a different story for Mike Huckabee – who won last night’s Republican caucus.

by Kevin Shaw [courtesy of Blog for America]

This snippet appeared on KYW Radio's website this morning:

Posted: Friday, 04 January 2008 2:59AM

Mock Caucus in Montco

by KYW's Kim Glovas

While the real thing was going on in Iowa, some Montgomery County Democrats got together to hold a mock caucus here.

About 55 people gathered at the Church of Our Savior in Jenkintown for a mock Democratic presidential caucus. Organizer Kevin Shaw explains how it mirrors the Iowa caucus.

"Each of the presidential candidates has a representative here, who will be given a minute or two to speak to the crowd, and then everybody will basically vote with their feet, and go to a corner of the room to indicate their support for their candidate. We'll count the supporters up, divide them by the total number of supporters here."

The winner of the local mock caucus was John Edwards with 24-percent of the vote.

by Rosi Efthim [courtesy of Blog for America]

Fresh on the heels of last night's standing-room only NJ Presidential Caucus, organized by NJ for Democracy & our progressive allies, DFA members from across the state are getting together today for an end-of-year celebration and a look ahead to where we're going in 2008.

Come join us!

1pm - everyone's welcome at Morris County Democratic HQ - 11 Washington Street, Morristown - for a planning meeting. Bring your ideas for where DFA should head in 2008.

3pm - Then the party starts, across the street at The Famished Frog, a great pub-restaurant where we'll order off the menu & just unwind and have a good time. Invite your family!

More info & RSVP & Google Map here!

Hey! John Edwards won the Caucus, by the way. And for all the delicious detail, fun info & play-by-play ...come to DFA at the Holidays today!

by Rosi Efthim [courtesy of Blog for America]

Here we go! Calling all activists: Who's your candidate?

With New Jersey's super-duper early primary just about two months away, we're going to light it up a little early. . .

Participate in an Iowa-style Presidential Caucus Friday night, Dec. 7.

RSVP right here! 

5-7pm - Open House, with info tables for each candidate

7pm - Welcome by Linda Stender, followed by 5-7 minute short presentations by each Presidential Candidate's NJ surrogate

8pm - close - Iowa-style caucus with groups retreating to separate corners, winnowing down as the evening progresses. 3 ranked winners will emerge.

Featured Speakers TBA. Co-sponsors include our friends at: Blue Jersey, NJ's Democratic Future, Garden State Equality, NJ Stonewall Dems, NJ Jewish Democratic Caucus, Democratic State Committee Progressive Caucus, Blue Wave, NJ Arab American Democratic Caucus, B.A.L.L.O.T., National Jewish Democratic Council/NJ Chapter, and PDA.

$10 "Poll Tax" comes with hot appetizers and cash bar. 

What will happen? You decide! 

RSVP right here! 

Thanks for powering NJ activism, everybody!