Democrats are preparing for a standing-room-only political convention in Colorado this year — and it's not in Denver. No, we're talking about the state Democratic convention May 17th in Colorado Springs, reports Tim Hoover.

Organizers expect this year's convention, where Democrats elect delegates to attend the national convention in August, to have record attendance. The World Arena in Colorado Springs holds a maximum of 9,000 people, and Democratic party officials say they're expecting 10,000 or more people - and that's just delegates - to show up.

By JEANETTE WAGNER

As an official alternate delegate for Hillary Clinton to the Boulder County Democratic Convention since the Feb. 5 caucuses, I had received no less than four instruction manuals for the day, either by mail or e-mail. One was formatted with bold lines, listing the agenda hour by hour, 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Two others gave specific instructions amidst encouraging support for my participation in our candidates' campaign. The information I had BEFORE the convention even started was impressive.

There was an awful lot of waiting to do, but fortunately, I brought a quilt I was working on (to earn baby-holding rights come May) and there was no shortage of interesting, outspoken people to talk to....which brings me to my first observation:

The people who serve as delegates, straight from the caucuses, are not exactly representative of the populace. They are the extremely concerned and well-informed among us. They are perhaps more well-educated and have had to listen to, on the night of the caucuses, what candidates at different levels felt or did about various issues. This is more knowledge than most voters have before voting. Which could be why most voters don't feel compelled to vote.

The delegate system, even by caucuses of the general public, is not really comprised of a cross-section of the general public, but rather those who are acutely, politically aware. And those are good people.

If only we could combine a primary election with the consequent information gained from caucus night and the convention meeting hour. For instance, all I did was show up at a local high school, and I found myself eavesdropping on (Congressional candidate) Joan Fitz-Gerald's phone conversation. I actually got a positive impression of her by just listening to what impressed her about a group of people. Citizens ought to get out of their houses once before the night of the election.

The Boulder County Convention was held in Longmont's Skyline High School on Saturday, March 15. A very sweet and knowledgeable woman (girl, actually) led me through the steps I needed to take should I want to secure an alternate delegate seat. Every location I needed was clearly marked and if, at any time, I needed to re-locate, I was directed to my new destination by loudspeaker. And yet, most people sitting around me in the bleachers of the gym kept muttering, "This is so unorganized." "They don't know what they're doing." "This is chaos." "I wish they would have organized this." "This is running so late." (It was 2:00 p.m. I was driving out of the parking lot at 3:00 p.m.. The convention was scheduled to run until 3:45 p.m.)

Granted, there were a lot of people. We all knew that this race has produced the most voter response in years. Yet, everything was still planned just as it had to be. The only difference was - THESE PEOPLE IN THE STANDS DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WAS GOING ON. They are used to being in control of their day, and for that day, they were in the hands of a political process that's been going on since the Democratic Party held its first Democratic National Convention in 1832.

Unlike years past, most delegates showed up this year to cast their vote because the race between Barack Obama and Clinton is very competitive.

Of the vacancies that were available, first choice went to any alternate from the same precinct. Then, any alternate from the same U.S. Congressional District(2 or 4) and same Colorado House District (10,11, or 12). There were approximately 40 open Obama seats and 20 open Clinton seats available for close to 300 alternate delegates.

Again, I just couldn't get upset, like many around me did, that it wasn't turning out exactly as they expected. Many Americans were enthusiastic and interested enough to be here. Many of them were supporting Hillary. Why the irritation?

Jeanette Wagner grew up in East L.A., where her father taught U.S. Government for 30 years. She received her BS in Biology from the University of California at Irvine, along with one year of graduate school at UC Irvine's Medical School. She has lived in Colorado since 1991, the last 12 years in Boulder. She worked for Bill Ritter’s campaign, and is currently an alternate delegate to her county convention where she has pledged her support to Clinton.

By RUBI NICHOLAS

I like to think of elections as a choice between a number of candidates representing my views as a member of the public consciousness. It’s not like that though is it? The elections are more about being cast than being elected. All the commercials, rhetoric and talk about who “looks” more presidential make the election seem like a big reality show in which the audience gets to pick who plays the part of “leader of the free world." Even that phrase is so Hollywood.

My assembly was thankfully in Castle Rock, which happens to be my ‘hood, so I didn’t have far to go Saturday morning. I had fun, it was easy enough to chat with my fellow Dem “family” members. Most of us are from somewhere other than Colorado, so that’s the easy way to start a conversation with people. I had a bunch of comp passes for the Denver Improv, so I had those to give away. I really should have been a promoter, like Don King. Only with better hair. A lot better hair.

As I approached the Castle View High School, I took note of the general milieu, the guys outside campaigning for Mike Collins, local volunteers serving as ushers or shepherds, however you’d like to view it. They were okay, I told them I was a comic and just wanted to hang out looking for material. I talked about how my husband switched his party affiliation in December to Republican because he was on a one-man insurgent mission to take them down from the inside. He’s a Ron Paul supporter, with a prior record of voting Nader. So, if anyone should be sick of losing, it’s him. He’s kind of like a snobby teacher though, sitting on his “noble” high horse and smug in the knowledge that he has a built in “I voted for the right guy, don’t blame me” defense some time in the future when the citizens are lamenting "politics as usual."

Onward. I got there, and first saw the Hillary table – they had muffins. If I was a Barack supporter why wouldn’t I vote for her? Really…that’s the political strategy? Muffins. As a foodie myself, I commented on the muffins and naturally, the discussion turned to the differences between a muffin and a cupcake. One is a bread and the other a cake. Another remarked, “I thought it was the difference between breakfast and lunch." Riveting.

I moved on, but the conversation stayed with me.

We went in to the assembly hall - and that’s when the chaos began. What district was I in? I had my tag on, so I went with that – “voting district 19” – I took pictures of all that stuff and posted them on my myspace page. Me with the “credentials” door hanger looking thingy, the sign that said “credentials only”…what? It’ll be good for the scrapbook. I walked up the steps to my district area and saw my peeps. Precinct #127 represent!

The main dude on the stage started by leading the Pledge of Allegiance. It was eerie, I got chills when I said it. I stayed silent on “under God” on principle – everyone chooses, that’s what I love about this country. I realized in that moment, that I’d have to look at a bunch of cupcakes and choose the muffin. They all look good, sound good, the local politicians who spoke - and of course the candidates for the presidential election. But which of them had substance? Which of them could we consider bread - a staple - versus cake, a nice-to-have that certainly gives one a shot in the arm. But the energy quickly wanes, and one is left with a sugar coma, a diet squandered and vague sense of regret. I should have had the muffin.

We then had the unlucky job of voting on our piece of paper (oh, I took a picture of that too). There were loose guidelines printed at the top. The corner called out “19” to represent my voting district. The instructions read “if you are supporting Clinton, choose no more than 4 delegates." I looked on the sheet, there were four people running for delegate. I X’d off the boxes next to their names. O.K. I’m done. What time is it? Oh man, 9:45? What else is there to do? I had to fill out the form for the other guys. too. Mike Collins, Hank Eng, Mark Udall…K. Now I’m done. It’s 9:52.

A lot of people had questions. A guy behind me in district 22 said we could vote for Barack delegates also, even if we were there as Hillary delegates. What? I was done. What’s this about? I knew he was wrong. The instructions were clear, weren’t they?

Well, I couldn’t just sit there not knowing, so I stood up and called “chairman, we have a question up here” and loudly summarized our dilemma. An older gentleman who was a Barack delegate-in-waiting turned around and said, “You have a great voice, you should run for something”. Easy cowboy. I’m a cupcake. Sounding and looking good are what I do, here are some tickets, come to a show.

Besides, the only office that they were taking nominations for was County Commissioner. Now, if that job involved being in charge of the red phone and the Bat signal, I’m down.

“Commissioner Nicholas here, Batman, we need you downtown right away, the Joker’s just left you a gift…”. Not so, it was a real day job, with an annual salary and everything. The ironic thing is that they did want someone with a financial background and an advanced degree - two things I actually do have, but still it boils down to having icing and a crinkly wax paper baking cup holding it all together. What makes one a muffin then? It’s got to come from inside, I think. The substantive part of an elected official that distinguishes them from being a glib politician is the stuff that sticks.

There’s a guy I know in Castle Rock running for town council. His name is Chip Wilson – he’s got that indefinable something that makes you want to vote for him. He’s into it. Maybe it’s because I know him, or maybe it’s because he really is a muffin, and as a citizen I know that innately. Can I tell the difference between someone who’s phoning it in and just giving me the same old lip service - overpromising and underdelivering like the classic politician/cupcake? Of course I can. I’m an American, I know what I believe in and I just need to listen for the candidate who espouses those beliefs. Wait, Hillary’s table had muffins. It’s a sign.

Rubi Nicholas is a first generation Muslim woman of Pakistani descent, and is the antithesis of what one might expect with such a strong ethnic background. Recently selected Nick@Nite’s “Funniest Mom in America,” Rubi's humor incorporates her ethnic heritage, her family life as a corporate woman whose husband is a stay at home dad, and the antics of her two little girls.

By ILANA STERN

My husband, Britt, and I are co-committee chairs of La Plata County's Precinct 3 (Colorado) for the Democratic Party. We were elected to these positions at the 2004 caucus, at which there were 12 people. At the 2006 caucus, we had 6 attendees. On February 5th, 2008, we had 39.

The total Democratic turnout in La Plata County was 1,506; some precincts had as many as 90 people crammed into one small room. Still, when you consider that there are 10,219 registered Democrats in the county, the record turnout translates into slightly less than 15%. Power truly belongs to those who show up!

Things started out in total zoo mode, as we shared a large room in the County Courthouse with Precinct 2. A lot of people showed up even before we did (we thought half an hour early would be fine!) and a lot of people didn't know their precinct. So we whipped out the laptop and brought up the database and sorted the room. Interestingly, several people showed up who were not even remotely in the right precinct; we found out where they needed to go, and sent them there.

We had a reporter from our local public radio station (KSUT) and a nonvoting observer. And lots of people we'd never seen before, which was awesome, really.

Barack Obama has a very strong organizational presence here (both statewide and regionally) and his supporters turned out in force. Which raises the concern: if he doesn't win the nomination, will his supporters work for Clinton?

This was a problem in 2004 with the Senate race, in which Mike Miles, a progressive and inspiring candidate, lost the primary to the more centrist Ken Salazar. Many of Miles's supporters lost interest in the race after that, and those of us who were working on get-out-the-vote efforts had a harder time. It was a much closer election than we had hoped.

We have a lot of older women - Hillary Clinton's demographic - in our precinct, and Britt had thought that Clinton would make a strong showing, but during our straw poll she only drew 5 votes. Obama had 32, including Britt. We had two uncommitted voters, and I was one of them; I had supported Bill Richardson, until he dropped out, and then after much thought decided to support John Edwards - who dropped out shortly before our caucus.

(In previous primary seasons I've supported Paul Tsongas, Bill Bradley, and Howard Dean, each of whom was no longer in the race by the time I got a chance to vote. It's almost funny! But I'd rather live in Colorado and have a smaller field to choose from than live, say, in Iowa.)

I moved to Obama, and the other uncommitted voter moved to Clinton, but the percentages worked out such that all three of our delegates went to Obama.

Countywide, Obama cleaned up. I expected him to win both the county and the state, as he did, but I was stunned at how big his margin was. We called in our results to the county as soon as we had them, and they passed them up to the state, so Colorado's results came out pretty quickly.

The Senate preference poll was really only pro forma, as Mark Udall had been unopposed until just a few weeks before the caucus, and all we knew about his opponent was his name.

A lot of people left after the presidential preference poll, which was clearly the main event. But almost half stayed for resolutions, which to me exemplify democracy at its best and at its worst. Talking about political issues with your neighbors - what could be more important and energizing? Yet it's easy to get off on tangents or distracted by minutiae, and even if a resolution makes it all the way to the state party platform, all that means is that we, the people agree it's an important issue. Getting something done about it? That's a whole different ballgame.

The caucus participants came up with ideas and issues that interested them, and talked about what they thought was important, and then I formulated their ideas into a statement of resolution. Then there was a bit more discussion, and then a vote.

Eventually, we approved five resolutions; they covered health care, the Electoral College, the state constitution, the primary/caucus structure, and affordable housing.

Then several of us went out to one of the local brewpubs and drank beer as we watched the results come in on CNN on the TV over the bar. And in a way, that encapsulates the caucus system in Colorado. We hang out with our friends and neighbors and talk about politics, just like we might do over a pint after work on any evening. The difference is that after the caucus, the results of our discussion - and the results of all the discussions being held statewide - end up on CNN.

Ilana Stern is a meteorologist, writer, backcountry junkie and Democrat who has lived in Durango since 2002 and Colorado since 1989. She is a delegate from La Plata County, and is pledging her support to Barack Obama.

By JEANETTE WAGNER

The Democratic caucuses were overwhelming this year. Voting among my neighbors that night, I drew upon my strengths to "step up" at this time - my freedom from employment, and therefore, access to free time, the courage and knowledge to take on new roles and responsibilities, and an insistent drive to help Hillary Clinton complete her job for the nation.

My participation was set in motion 14 years ago. Hillary had come to the CU Medical School to speak on health care and had foreseen the crisis of health insurance. At the time, I was doing research in the Endocrinology Dept. on campus and I was fortunate to seat myself in the first row. She was logical, straightforward and quite worried. As I left the talk, my instincts told me, "She needs to be leading the country and show the House, Senate, and the insurance companies how to successfully support millions of Americans. If Hillary ever takes it on to run for the Presidency, I will do whatever I can to help her."

Of course, that was back before becoming a parent. Energies toward worthy causes are somewhat shifted after children arrive with all their needs and endeavors. However, along the road of raising my children, I read Mrs. Clinton's book, "It Takes a Village." By then, I could appreciate her maternal concern for others' children as well as her own.

Being an avid reader, I read her autobiography and Barack Obama's, "The Audacity of Hope." I immediately admired Obama's perspective and saw him as a great spiritual leader.

And of Ms. Rodham? It exhausted me just reading of all the causes, funds and policy changes in children's education and lower-income health care that she's been working at since back while she was still in law school.

For decades, long before Obama even considered a life in politics, long before even Bill imagined his life in politics, while holding no office whatsoever, Hillary was working and learning and effectively building civic protocols which we all benefit from.

Therefore, when one third of our precinct gave their official vote for Mrs. Clinton, I became a delegate to cast this vote to the entire party. I'm actually an alternate delegate because it is my understanding that I will likely go to the assembly and substitute for another precinct's absent delegate, thereby giving Clinton an extra, UNPREDICTED vote!

And so I await the March 15 assembly in Longmont, and watch the national caucuses determining the need for a run-off between the two candidates.

And I learn to blog.

Jeanette Wagner grew up in East L.A., where her father taught U.S. Government for 30 years. She received her BS in Biology from the University of California at Irvine, along with one year of graduate school at UC Irvine's Medical School. She has lived in Colorado since 1991, the last 12 years in Boulder. She has canvassed for Bill Ritter’s campaign, and is currently an alternate delegate to her county assembly where she will pledge her support to Clinton.

By EILEEN McGUIRE MAHONY

It’s not yet eight a.m. and I’m already peeling campaign stickers off my perfectly pressed Armstrong for Congress shirt. Having narrowly avoided a collision with a group of volunteers carrying campaign banners, I find myself face-to-face with a star-shaped doughnut with red, white, and blue sprinkles. Tempting as it is, first and foremost I need coffee, which is everywhere.

Yeah, it’s campaign season.

As soon as I start walking precincts, I’ll be able to eat all the doughnuts I want. Until then, I’m going for the cereal bar, which I will probably get a chance to eat in about three hours. Somehow I have already gotten covered in a fresh layer of campaign stickers. I love this stuff.

In 2006, I was working on a campaign for the state House. Facing a brutish three-way primary, we showed up shortly after two a.m. to get the best spots for campaign signs and start blowing up balloons. At half past five, we decided we needed more flags to decorate the campaign’s table. And so, by the dawn’s early light, I found myself greeting the manager of the nearest Home Depot as he showed up to open the store, set to buy every flag I could find before someone else did.

So far, 2008 is shaping up to be a very different political animal. In two years the landscape has changed a lot. Rick O’Donnell isn’t here and neither is Bob Beauprez. The McCain and Paul campaigns are, though. They’re at the far end of a narrow hallway full of campaign tables, nearly lost in the melee of legislative races.

Here, in the heart of Colorado's 6th Congressional District, it’s hard to miss the rapidly intensifying four-way primary for Tom Tancredo’s soon-to-be vacant seat.

The Congressional Assembly is still eleven weeks away, but you wouldn’t know that today.

In 2006, Congressman Tancredo faced much easier opposition and that March my focus was on the 37th House District. Now a freshman Representative, Spencer Swalm, earned a narrow victory that fall and is here today, ready to accept his nomination by acclamation. Likewise, Senator Nancy Spence has no primary.

So I find myself a delegate with no contested races.

My assignment for the morning is to circulate and engage supporters for Wil Armstrong’s campaign. This suits me perfectly; I’ve got an hour to take in the sights, provided I can move.

This year, the county assembly is the first in a series for me. I’ve got Judicial, Congressional, and State assemblies to go to as a delegate, all hopefully culminating in a trip to Minneapolis for the Republican National Convention.

I probably like the county assemblies the most. It’s the best of grassroots. I like the chaos, born of the sheer number of candidates there. I like seeing such amazing proof that the "average" voter can have a massive impact on this government.

I like seeing a first time delegate meet her elected representatives face-to-face and realize that these are citizens, too – not out of reach and distant politicians.

The turnout is phenomenal, which I don’t fully appreciate until the delegates are seated and there isn’t an inch to spare in the gymnasium.

Asked who’s assembling for the first time, more than half the hands go up. The speeches and honorifics begin, but I don’t see people checking their watches. This is a room full of Americans engaged in their government.

While the speeches wrap up and the first-time delegates get a briefing on the process, I catch up with a friend who’s working with Jim Geddes’ campaign for the CU Board of Regents.

While a political junkie needs to remember that not everyone is so heavily into politics, we agree that this year there is a marked rise in voter’s interest. A long campaign season is only starting to ramp up. The morning goes quickly. It’s warmed up beautifully since I arrived and I’ve still got the entire weekend ahead of me. Tomorrow may indeed blanket the city with snow, but right now it’s a lovely day.

Eileen McGuire Mahoney is a Denver native and a graduate of Regis University. Politically active for several years, she has served as president of Regis' Campus Republicans, and worked on several campaigns (state legislative races, Congressional seats, gubernatorial), and is currently the Political Director of the Denver Metro Young Republicans. Aside from politics and policy, she is a huge baseball fan, a sports car enthusiast, and a swimmer.

By RUBI NICHOLAS

Let me start by saying that I’m a Democrat. I’ve been a Dem since I was 18 years old, and registered, oh, the second day I was eligible to vote, way back in nineteen eighty-something.

I’m also a stand up comic and this is what happens when someone like me chooses to exercise her political right to caucus. I’ll admit I was curious.

I grew up in a primary state and was excited to learn about the process. Plus I like saying caucus. It’s a funny word. I don’t even know what it means, but each time I say it out loud, it makes me giggle. Go ahead, you try it…silly, right?

I know where I stand politically, I make a decent living, but I vote my social conscience because I like sleeping in peace at night knowing I didn’t vote for tax breaks to big corporate machines that keep the little people down, or for the unjust war and increasing our national debt. I'm good with whomever the Dem candidate winds up being, and just ended up a delegate because I have a big mouth and can't resist a microphone.

Here’s what happened:

On the day of the caucus, even though I didn't feel like it, mostly because I was invited by one of the moms in my 3rd grader's new school to a suburbalicious margarita and home entertaining catalog party, I went to the Democratic caucus for precinct #127, in Douglas County. I decided that if I was going to caucus, I would caucus my butt off. Might as well do it all the way. I took both of my girls (8 and 5) and valiantly attempted to educate them, pointing out that all the people standing around talking were trying to help each other decide who the best candidate for our party was...Meanwhile, the girls kept asking if there was going to be cake...they just didn’t seem to get that it wasn't that kind of party.

We strolled in right at 7p.m., just as the Chief-high-caucus-poohbah said, “Anyone here who would like to speak for a minute about their candidate is free to do so.”...Have we met? Who loves a microphone and a captive audience more than me? One lady, wearing gear a bit more formal than my Pottsville High hooded sweatshirt and mismatched sweatpant ensemble, got up with a written one-minute speech about Barack Obama...Ugh. Probably a Republican plant. You know, one of those "non-Voter participants" that are allowed to attend the Dem caucuses? Yeah, maybe I am suspicious, but you would be too - having had your liberal butt handed to you for two elections in a row following the Clinton glory years...Anywho...

The lady read, I sighed, and then he asked for someone to say a few words about Hillary. I waited and with no better reasons than a love of microphones and a strong penchant for playing devil’s advocate, off I went to the front of the makeshift hall of democracy and said, "My name is Rubi Nicholas." I didn't have anything prepared, and that's all I remember. I'm pretty sure I didn't say "and I'm an alcoholic." (Although, for effect, I might have tried that played-out line.)

I did say, "I have been a registered Democrat since my 18th birthday, and am originally from the great blue state of Pennsylvania. I want you to know that Hillary and Obama represent the Democratic party, and while feeling inspired and optimistic makes you want to vote for Obama, think it through. We need not to choose based on how we feel. We need to choose an electable candidate that can beat McCain."

Okay paraphrasing a tinge, but I did say that I grew up a minority in this country, and I have real experience with how minorities are perceived and treated. I’m not black, but in Douglas County, I’m as dark as they get apparently – the proof? My laser hair removal lady told me I was the darkest woman she worked on in Douglas County – and I’m only the color of a latte.

So, my experience with middle-America is that they are not ready to elect a minority candidate. I just had a friend tell me that Obama was a plant, groomed by the enemy to become president a la the "Manchurian Candidate." This is what people believe. That was the point I tried to make among “family”.

Sure the Dems love him. He’s preaching to the choir though. Who else but a bunch of bleeding heart liberals would come out in swarms to vote for a charismatic, glib orator promising sweeping winds of change? Grow up, people. I’m sick of losing.

Hillary is tough and ready and knows Washington. My point ultimately was that she can win; their policies are nearly identical, and personally I could care less about the nominee. My vote will go Dem. But hey, there was a microphone….

I left the makeshift pulpit to allow another participant to speak, but no one did. So that was it then: Just the Obama-speech-read-from-a-paper lady and my off-the-cuff commentary that was just short of a "Hey, I'll say something!"...

I went back to my precinct table - #127 - I had only looked up that number on the Dem web site that day...and about half of the people said, "Good job" - I believe the word "eloquent" was thrown about. It was pretty cool. Then a bearded guy leaned across the table and asked, "You wanna be our delegate? you should"...There was some hand raising and nodding, and it was done. There are 2 delegates for Hillary from my precinct, although in the whole auditorium of votes there were 190 Hillary votes and 22-something Barack votes.

I know now that anyone, really and truly anyone, can be a part of this political process… I mean if someone as wholeheartedly confused and partially committed as me can do it - that certainly explains our current leadership.

Rubi Nicholas is a first generation Muslim woman of Pakistani descent, and is the antithesis of what one might expect with such a strong ethnic background. Recently selected Nick@Nite’s “Funniest Mom in America,” Rubi's humor incorporates her ethnic heritage, her family life as a corporate woman whose husband is a stay at home dad, and the antics of her two little girls.

A group of Colorado women, Democrats and Republicans, will soon be writing in this space for PoliticsWest, documenting their experiences as delegates to the county and state political conventions, and possibly to the national conventions - the Democrats in Denver and the Republicans in St. Paul, Minn.

This group blog is called "Delegate Derby."
Check back for postings.

If you use an RSS reader, this link will allow you to get updates automatically.