Seattle Area People Attend Democratic National Convention

Two friends, Bill Phillips and Dorothy Willard can be seen at the DNC in Philadelphia
in this report on Seattle area TV station KOMO 4.  The report was on the night that Hilary made her acceptance speech.

Sights From Washington State Democratic Convention

The Washington State Democratic Convention is taking place in Tacoma.  I pose for a selfie with the "Sonic Guy" who is visible in the movement to bring the NBA back to Seattle.  A lady turns a pejorative into a positive but funny statement in favor of Hilary Clinton.
On the serious side, showing that Democrats are very patriotic, we are led in an a cappella version of the Star Spangled Banner. 
For lunch, some fellow Democrats on the Sounder train to a Mexican Restaurant in downtown Tacoma.

Hilary Clinches Nomination

Once again, the Democratic Party has made history,  the party that put the first woman on a presidential ticket, first person of Jewish faith on a presidential ticket, had the first Catholic president, the first female speaker of the house, and the first Black president, will nominate the first woman to head a presidential ticket.  Sources report that Hilary Clinton has crossed the delegate threshold needed to assure her nomination.  '
With two major primaries today, Senator Bernie Sanders has not conceded the fight.

Hilary Wins Washington "Beauty Contest"

Officials are declaring Hilary Clinton the winner of yesterday's Washington Primary.   No delegates are at stake in what the media often calls a "beauty contest".  Bernie Sander commands about three quarters of the Washington delegation to the Democratic National Convention.  What this victory does is give some moral wiggle room to so called super delegates.  Sanders supports have been angry that many of these party officials will vote for Clinton in spite of the results of the caucuses.  Many Sanders supporters will now say a meaningful primary would have a different result.
The overwhelming Republican winner, Donald Trump, did gain delegates in yesterday's primary.

Democrats Pack The House At Mount Si High School

It was a beautiful day, but Democratic delegate for Bernie Sanders and Hilary Clinton packed Mt Si High School in Snoqualmie for the 5th Legislative District Caucus.  The LD Caucus is the 2nd tier of the process of picking delegates to the Democratic National Convention in July.  Supporters of both Clinton and Sanders made passionate speeches, while a committee worked behind the scenes to credential the delegates.  The delegates then broke into the three Congressional districts that make up the 5th LD.  From each sub caucus, delegates for each presidential candidate picked delegate for the Congressional caucus and state convention, in proportion to the votes each candidate received in the precinct caucuses last month.  Simple enough?
Top picture is the 2 long lines to get into the caucus.  Middle picture is inside the caucus.  In the bottom picture,Democratic candidate for 5th district State House, Jason Ritchie addresses the delegates.  Ritchie is running against incumbent Jay Rodne.
Also speaking were 5th LD Senator Mark Mullet and 5th LD candidate for State House Darcy Burner.  Snoqualmie Mayor Matt Larson, who is also running for State House was also present.

2016 5th District Democratic Caucus Locations Announced

Locations for Democratic Precinct caucuses on Saturday March 26th have been announced.  The contest between Secretary Hilary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders is very much still in play. The locations are

Upper            Mt Si High School Freshman Campus
            9200 Railroad Ave
            Snoqualmie, WA  98065-9640

May            Maywood Middle School
            14490 168th Ave SE
            Renton, WA  98059-7951

Maple            Tahoma Jr High School
            25600 SE Summit Landsburg Rd
            Ravensdale, WA  98051-9732

Issaquah        Issaquah Middle School   
            400 1st Ave SE
            Issaquah, WA  98027-4246

Lower            Tolt Middle School
            3740 Tolt Ave
            Carnation, WA  98014-7537

Klahanie        Challenger Elementary School
            25200 SE Klahanie Blvd
            Issaquah WA  98029-5763
For more information click here.  Caucuses will begin at 10:00 am. 

Game Change --My Review

I began to read Game Change, thinking that it's focus would be on Governor Sarah Palin, the Vice President choice on the losing ticket who became well known in her own right, but really the McCain-Palin dynamic, interesting as it was, is not brought up until the last few chapters.
Game Change tells about the 2008 race, Americans have lost their faith in the Bush administration over both his handling of the Iraq War and a looming financial crisis.  The Democrats, after regaining the majority of Congress, are optimistic about recapturing the White House.  The favorites are former First Lady Hilary Clinton and 2004 VP candidate John Edwards.  Also in that race is our current president Barack Obama.  The book in it's early stages takes us to each of those campaigns and shows the personalities, not only of the candidates but each family and staff.  It shows how the Democratic establishment was not all in love with Hilary.  It shows the flaws in the Edwards campaign.  It shows how the Obama campaign snowballed into a national movement.
The book moves chronologically through the caucuses that were indeed game changers. Then at the conclusion of the Obama nomination, focuses on his VP choice and his courting of the Clintons.
It then covers the McCain campaign and the Palin choice, once thought to be the spearhead to get McCain back into the race, but what would later prove to be part of his undoing.
The McCain-Palin dynamic was the subject of the movie that was based on the book.  I hope to eventually watch that movie.

Senator Caroline Kennedy?

Reports are surfacing that Caroline Kennedy is interested in succeeding Hilary Clinton in the United States Senate. It would be the first political position held by Kennedy, the daughter of slain President John F. Kennedy. The irony in the appointment is that her early endorsement of Barack Obama may have been the beginning of the end of Clinton's own campaign. Clinton, of course has been tapped by the President-elect to be Secretary Of State. Kennedy would need to be appointed to the seat by New York Governor David Paterson.

McCain Choses Sarah Palin

John McCain, desperate to steal thunder from Barack Obama, has picked Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate. Obama delivered arguably one of the best speeches in American history, however, McCain aparently is trying to woo Democrats angered over Hilary Clinton being skipped. Palin is Pro-Life, so it is doubtful that many Hilary supporters will crossover, in fact some may stay home altogether. Remember, George W. Bush did not win much support from the Black community after picking Colin Powell to be the first black Secretary Of State.

Keith Olbermann Takes On Hilary

Hilary Clinton's reference to Bobby Kennedy's campaign was curious at best. MSNBC's Keith Olbermann, never one to mince words, takes it one step further.

Another Puget Sounder Gets Her 15 Minutes In Texas

Does anyone remember Lynsey Nordstrom? Of course you don't, she was the Seattle area girl, whose resemblence to Jessica Simpson earned her a ticket to the New York Giants-Dallas Cowboys game where she supposedly distracted Tony Romo (Romo dates Simpson).
Now a Tacoma area teen is in the news in a story that seems to be making it's way around the nation as the sleeping child in a Hilary Clinton ad. Casey Knowles and her family where watching Jon Stewart on TV when she saw the above ad and realized that she was in it. The ad which was to make Obama look weak ran in Texas and suggested Hilary's experience would make her better able to handle a crisis. The catch is that Casey is an Obama supporter. She has even contacted the Obama camp about making a counter ad. Talk about an ad backfiring.

Hilary Shows A Lighter Side

Hilary Clinton shows her self deprecating sense of humor in this YOUTUBE video, only trouble is, it may actually get you to not vote for her.