January 24, 2000

Leaders train Polk County Democrats
on how to run precinct caucuses

By Jessica Free
CyberCaucus 2000 News Service
Drake University

DES MOINES, Iowa--Nearly 50 eager Polk County Democrats of all ages crowded into the basement fellowship hall of Wakonda Christian Church in Des Moines Saturday afternooon to receive caucus training.

Making the room seem ever smaller were five television cameras and crews, all scrambling for the best shot of Tom Henderson, Polk County Democratic Party co-chairman, as he began the session by emphasizing the importance of neutrality. "The first thing to remember is that you must be as impartial as possible as precinct chair," he said.

"Now," Henderson continued, "you're here to learn how to run a caucus."

Henderson stepped aside and those in attendance rifled through their information packets, searching for the poster referred to by Angel Head, precinct organizing chairwoman. "We'll go over math and viability first, since that's what the media want to hear. Then maybe they'll leave," she smiled.

Paulee Lipsmann, staff member of the national Democratic Party, strained to be heard over rustling papers, squeaky folding chairs, shuffling cameramen and whispered interviews in the back of the room. The trainees--Polk County precinct chair people for Monday night's caucuses--listened intently as Lipsmann explained how to elect delegates to the county convention.

"You will need to split into preference groups first: (Al) Gore and (Bill) Bradley, other and uncommitted," Lipsmann said. "Then, you will need to follow the mathematics outlined on your poster to determine how many people it takes to be viable."

Like a high school math teacher, Lipsmann gave examples and went through the calculations step by step. "Once your math makes sense and groups are counted as viable, they can split up and choose delegates. After that, all the participants come back together and ratify the decisions," she explained.

Peggy Huppert, Polk County Democratic Party co-chairwoman, took Lipsmann's place at the head of the room. "I know about half of you have never done this before," she said. "The thing I want to stress to you is that you need to call in your results as soon as possible."

Huppert said the Iowa Democratic Party is putting pressure on the county party representatives to get the delegate results called in as early as 7:50 p.m. Monday.

Saturday's training was the fifth offered by the Polk County Democratic Party in recent weeks. Information provided during the two-hour session reached nearly one-third of Polk County's 163 precinct chair people. Head said she was both pleased and relieved to see such high attendance. "We anticipate a high turnout Monday, and these people need to know how to run their caucuses in the most complete manner possible."

To insure that details were not overlooked, Head reminded the group to bring calculators, markers, paper and other supplies to their caucuses. "You've even got to make sure there's a clock on the wall where everyone can see it," she said.

Head also explained the rules of voter registration, emphasizing that 17 year olds who will be 18 by November's election date can participate in the caucuses. She said, "Our young voters are very important to us, and we want to encourage their involvement at every level."

In the stairwell outside the fellowship hall, Max Knauer spent his time listening to reporters' questions instead of Head's instructions. His teen-age son stood next to him, soaking in the atmosphere and hanging on every word.

"It's exciting to be a part of the Iowa caucuses," Knauer said.

On Monday, Knauer will participate in his sixth presidential election caucus--his fifth as precinct chairman. He said he is proud to be representing Polk County's 87th Precinct, Iowa and the Democratic Party.

Concerning Iowa's role in the presidential elections, Knauer said that although the state may not be an accurate demographic representation of the entire country, he feels it is an accurate representation of the values the nation professes to have at its core. "The caucuses here remain important because Iowa has the ability to connect with the rest of the nation," he said.

"For instance," Knauer said, "one of Bradley's main themes is racial harmony, but he doesn't feel like he's wasting his time in Iowa--a state that's more than 95 percent white--because he knows Iowans can connect."

Back inside the fellowship hall, Head, Huppert and Lipsmann fielded the last few questions from trainees. As the questions tapered to an end, looks of confidence spread from one row to the next, and the precinct chair people began to talk excitedly with one another.

Head leaned back against the painted cement wall and sighed, her relief stretching into a smile. She turned and said softly to Huppert, "It's almost over."