Local Democratic activists appeared energized and hopeful as
they gathered in Salinas for a presidential straw poll Sunday.
HOLLISTER
Local Democratic activists appeared energized and hopeful as they gathered in Salinas for a presidential straw poll Sunday.
Of the party’s eight candidates, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama took a clear victory with one-third of the 315 votes cast. But Regional Democratic Chairman Shawn Bagley said the real point of the event was to excite local party members, not anoint a particular candidate.
“I think of it as a softball tournament,” said Bagley, a supporter of New York Sen. Hillary Clinton.
As they cast their ballots, Democrats from San Benito, Monterey, Santa Cruz and southern Santa Clara counties were treated to presentations from each of the candidate’s campaigns. After each presentation, activists marched and waved signs on behalf of their favorites.
Attendees didn’t have to be registered voters or Democrats to participate in the straw poll, Bagley said. Among those interviewed by the Free Lance, however, all were Democrats, and most had already thrown their support behind a particular candidate.
Many attendees said the Obama campaign’s speech was the most impressive.
Sixteen-year-old Hollister residents Kimberly Del Toro and Karen Villegas said they’re supporting New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson because he’s Hispanic and they like his stance on immigration. But they agreed that the Obama presentation was probably the best of the afternoon.
“Barack Obama’s presentation seemed to have the most unity,” Del Toro said.
Whoever they supported, Democrats said they’re optimistic that their party’s candidate would take the White House in November 2008. Speaking for Obama, San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris said the Democratic candidates offer “an embarrassment of riches.”
“We are looking at one of the most extraordinary presidential campaigns in our lifetime,” Harris said.
And when it comes the hottest topic at Sunday’s poll – namely, the Iraq war – the candidates are on the same page, she said.
“They are all on board with the fact that this is a war without merit, this is a war without end and, as Barack Obama has said, this is a dumb war,” Harris said.
Santa Cruz County Treasurer Fred Keeley, also speaking in favor of Obama’s candidacy, said the Obama campaign stands out because it “empowers” normal citizens to become involved with the political process.
With 23.8 percent of the vote, Clinton – widely seen as the Democratic front-runner – has plenty of support, too. In their speeches, Assemblywoman Anna Caballero, who represents San Benito County, and United Farm Workers of America co-founder Dolores Huerta touted Clinton’s leadership as the biggest reason for their endorsements.
Caballero said that when Clinton’s husband Bill was in office, “the conservative right took every opportunity to punch her in the face.” Clinton, however, “punched right back,” she said.
Ian Magruder, president of the Cabrillo College Democrats, told the Free Lance he supports former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards because he’s “the most progressive of the candidates who are electable.”
Edwards failed to capture the Democratic nomination in 2004, which Magruder blamed on his “overmanaged” and “overconsulted” campaign. But Edwards is taking “a strong stand” this year, Magruder said.
He added that he’s feeling confident about the Democrats’ overall prospects in 2008. Asked if being a Santa Cruz native might skew his perspective, Magruder said: “Definitely. … But I’m kind of a political junkie, and I’ve been trying to read news sites from outside the state. I have to say, things are looking pretty good for us.”
Democratic presidential straw poll results
Barack Obama: 33.3 percent
Hillary Clinton: 23.8 percent
John Edwards: 17.5 percent
Dennis Kucinich: 14 percent
Bill Richardson: 6.3 percent
Joe Biden: 3.5 percent
Mike Gravel: 1.0 percent
Chris Dodd: 0.3 percent
Total votes: 315
