New Mexico Caucus Plan Gets Heated Discussion

[Freddie Stubbs]

State Democratic Party leaders got an earful of pointed questions and complaints from local Democrats about the proposed plan for a February presidential-preference caucus next year.

More than 100 people gathered at the Nava Elementary School gym to talk about the caucus, which Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson proposed as a way to make New Mexico's role in the presidential selection more prominent.

But many locals argued that the proposed Feb. 3 caucus - which would replace the state's June presidential primary - will be costly and difficult to manage.

"It's going to be a burden on the Santa Fe County party to rent the sites," said county party vice chair Robert Adams.

more: http://www.santafenewmexican.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=7&ArticleID=29641

[lkinsale]

1. Important detail

Despite some contentiousness at the meeting, party leaders saw the big turnout seven months before the proposed caucus as a positive sign.

"It wasn't just the usual suspects you see at county Democrat functions," said Charlotte Roybal. "This brought people who normally don't participate."

People care this time. A lot.