Is Washington State pretending there is not a Caucus this Saturday?

[Mrs. Overall]

In talking to several Democratic friends and aquaintances this week, not one of them was aware that the WA State caucus would be held this coming Saturday (Feb.7). These are normally well-informed people, but they claim that they have heard absolutely nothing about the caucus meetings--nothing on the local news, nothing in the local papers, there are absolutely no signs for candidates anywhere, and they have received nothing in the mail informing them of where they should go for the meetings.
I am aware of the caucus mainly through DU, and I have seen nothing at all locally to make me aware of the caucus this Saturday. I had to hunt down the Washington State Democrats website in order to find out where my caucus would be held and they only posted the information recently.
Is this the fault of the WA State Democratic party? I just don't understand why nothing, NOTHING is being said about the caucus meetings.

[montanacowboy]

1. Where in Washington are they living?

they must be blind deaf and dumb not to know - I have had a myriad of calls from various candidates, have heard it on NPR, it is in the newspaper - and Washington just recently cancelled their Primary, they surely could not have missed that....could they?

[mrgorth]

2. think now

NPR? Newspaper? These are normal people we're talking about. You'd have to have the announcement next to JJ's nip.

[Mrs. Overall]

6. We are on the Kitsap Peninsula,

just across the Sound from Seattle. I am sure Seattle proper is in the know, but over here, there is nothing being said on the local level. This area tends to be conservative, but I am still surprised at the lack of any visible campaigning and the lack of information about where the caucus meetings will be held.
We're sort of in the sticks over here, but not really.

[progressivebydesign]

3. I'm in Washington, too.. It's been in the media...

I don't know if it's on the main State site. But it has been mentioned in the media. It's tradionally very low turn out. Based upon the signs and stickers I've seen within a 2 hour radius of my house.. Dean and Kucinich should do rather well. If Kerry wins it.. then I"ll be shocked.. I haven't met or seen more than one Kerry supporter in the greater Seattle/Tacoma area. Edwards has some support here. I hope people don't cave into that electability nonsense.. and just caucus with their heart, instead.

[sandnsea]

14. We're there

I know supporters in the Seattle/Tacoma area. We're there. Trust me.

[AntiCoup2K4]

4. It's not really very well advertised, now that you mention it.

I hadn't really thought about it, since I always stay politically informed, but this is a problem. We need to get the word out.

10:00 AM on Saturday morning requires advance planning for some people who otherwise wouldn't be coherent that early on the weekends.

[SeattleDem]

5. I read all about it in the PI

I'm in Seattle and I've heard a lot about it. There have been several pieces in the PI, including information on how to locate your precinct site. I don't watch local news, so can't say about that, but KUOW has also dedicated several recent hours of programming to the caucus, and even did a mock caucus yesterday during Weekday.

Plus, it's not up to the state to advertise the caucuses for the parties - it's really up to the parties and the media to keep us informed. I certainly don't want the state spending limited funds to advertise the caucuses for the political parties. The parties can choose to do that with their own funds.

[LisaM]

7. Well, I knew about it, but didn't know WHERE to vote until yesterday

And even then, they didn't make it easy (e.g., you can't plug in your address and get your primary location.) I have seen very few political signs in my (liberal) neighborhood that haven't been there for months. We did have a Kerry worker come by last week, but he didn't know where the caucuses were being held. Also, we got a broadcast call from John Kerry last night touting his appearance tonight (7:30 at the downtown Sheraton) and Howard Dean was on Mike Webb last night. Dean was here last Saturday, and I think Kucinich is coming also. The Kerry phone call did not mention the caucuses. We are going, albeit reluctantly. I don't even know who I'm going to vote for yet.

[SeattleDem]

10. our Kerry call

DID mention the caucuses, and it was kind of annoying, because it said "press 1 if you will support me at your caucus on 2/7 or press 2 for more information about John Kerry". I didn't press either, and it kept telling me "please press a button now". Frankly, neither button was appropriate for me so I hung up!

[AmandaRuth]

8. a women in my caucus planning group

tried to put up posters in local business, and was told they could not go up because they were of a political nature. I put a sign up at my local library and fire station (polling place, not the location of the caucaus.)

[LisaM]

9. Really? what businesses were these?

I'll have to remember not to shop there, and to tell them why.

[glitch]

11. Spread the word - info on WA caucus at

http://www.wa-democrats.org/

[goodhue]

12. your friends must not be regulary caucus attendees I suspect

Its happening. DK will be in WA all day Wed and Thurs.
http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.php

[woofless]

13. The word seems to be out up here

in Maple Falls, tiny community in the shadow of Mt. Baker. I did all my stump calling last night for my candidate and no one I talked to was unaware of the caucus Sat. morning. Seems we will have a pretty good turnout for such a small precinct. Without exception they all indicated an ABB attitude and are fired up. I am encouraged.

Woof