LITTLE BIT OF A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK AT THE CAUCUS'S

I probably shouldn't be revealing this but what the heck, it's two years before the next caucus, so why not. First let me say that the Democrat caucus was a learning experience for me. Going there showed me a way we could deal with the Republican caucus more intelligently. First thing I wanted to know was how many votes we had on our side. There is no way of really knowing because many people will tell you one thing and then do another, that's experience talking by the way. So the question was how to find out what the real numbers are. The first thing that happens is the chair of the caucus is nominated and is usually approved. I knew that the chair they nominated (Bill Underwood) was one of 'them' so I talked a willing sacrificial lamb, who everyone would know was on 'our' side to run against their guy. I won't embarrass him any more by telling you his name but I am grateful to him for taking the hit. The vote was 47 - 29 against us. Boy, were we in deep do-do. Not much chance of winning tonight but I wanted to know one more thing and that was if their was a split between the Pitman/Knapp camp so I talked another sacrificial lamb into running against Pitman when they nominated her for supervisor. We lost that one 55 - 27, jeesh it was getting worse. We didn't stand a chance so there was no point in putting up any of our candidates and getting creamed. Now I could have fun, sir back and watch the show.

What a show it was.

First they put up Dave Morse AND Barb Albro at the same time. This was a huge mistake because it was for the 4-year term and they should have put up Edinger. Dave Morse knew it was wrong and tried to let the others know by asking the chair if he was on the Dems as a 2-year candidate could he also run as a 4-year candidate. He was told no by the chair and he declined the nomination. This should have told their head guy (or girl) the mistake they made but they didn't catch on and left Albro on to run against Dick Martin who was nominated by D. Whiteman (I think). Anyway, this was a major screw up on their part but I didn't realize it at the time. I knew they planned to run Knapp cross endorsed but I didn’t know they were going to do it with all THREE of their candidates from the Democratic caucus. Albro wins the first 4-year slot by 47 - 39.

Next they seem to get their act together and nominate Knapp for the second 4-year slot and Dick Martin runs against him again. Knapp wins this time by 46 - 41. Martin is gaining ground.

Now it's the 2-year positions.

Now they run Edinger so I wait till the nominations are over and I point out that they screwed up because Edinger won a 4-year slot on the dem caucus and if they run her for a 2-year at the rep caucus it will not cross endorse her as they planned! I watch bemused as they slowly comprehend what happened. There is much confusion all around as they finally realize their screw up. (I'm sure Dave Morse knew what was going on and will probably tell them later that he tried to tell them they were screwing up.) After much mumbling, scratching their heads and what not, the chair told the crowd that if Edinger won and gave up the position (2-year nomination) their replacement committee would name another candidate to fill the slot. They couldn't remove her because she was seconded and accepted etc. This didn't appease the crowd and they voted overwhelmingly for Dick Martin and he won 59 - 25. By the way that makes Edinger the big loser for the evening and I'm sure she will be really annoyed at losing a guaranteed position on the board.

The last run was for the last 2-year term and Dave Morse was nominated for this against Jim Doring. The vote was 42 - 41 for Morse proving yet again that ONE vote really counts for a lot.

I have to admit I was beside myself, almost giddy with glee, when they screwed up and I did take special pleasure in pointing it out to the crowd. To be truthful it was the height of the evening for me. If they hadn't screwed up they could have had ALL their people on the board but now they will have at least one, maybe two who isn't one of them.

The next two years are going to be really fun for me. This stuff is lots better that TV.

PS: It is possible that Knapp wanted to get rid of Edinger who is best buddies with Pitman. What happened tonight almost guarantees that Edinger will lose against Albro and if that was Knapp's plan it worked very well.

Man! I LOVE this stuff!