Reply #1: This is one of the reasons to argue that the caucus method is a good thing...

[countryjake]

in regards to party politics, just the example of your one family now becoming a major force in actually participating in the remaining caucuses to nominate our candidate, demonstrates that grassroots participation, when considered a civic duty, actually creates activists, encourages talking with your neighbors about the dreaded "P" word (politics), and educates, informs, and stimulates interest in "being a member of the party".

Years ago, our caucuses were considerably more effective and more conducive to group participation, but with such major increases in state population now, they really need to either overhaul the way caucuses are conducted (and where they are held) or scrap that system, all together. We used to have coffee and cookies, preliminary conversation and introductions, chances for every member present to speak, and serious presentation of issues concerning us all, with discussion on how effectively each candidate offers solutions to those issues.

I would hate to see the latter scrapping happen, simply because mere mail-in voting does nothing to encourage involvement in the important matter of determining who represents us as President of the country, and it would take the selection of convention delegates out of the hands of a majority of the people and give too much power to people in the party who are already dedicated activists for their cause.

People view our caucuses as inconvenient now, in this day of fast and furious lifestyles, but for those who see the entire DNC as a sell-out and not a representative force, this is just one of the ways to begin to upset that power, from the ground up. If people care.

Kudos to your family for joining in the process and good luck to them all at the next caucus.