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Caucus-goers raise signs in support for Barack Obama during the Democratic caucus at the Nampa Civic Center Tuesday night.
Mike Vogt / IPT
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Bryan Dooley
bdooley@idahopress.com
Wednesday, February 6th, 2008

CANYON COUNTY — More than 1,600 people crowded the Nampa Civic Center Tuesday night for Canyon County’s Democratic caucus and the results were overwhelming: Barack Obama’s 78 percent to Hillary Clinton’s 22 at the final count.

At 7:06 p.m. the line of eager voters waiting to make their voices heard still circled the building.

Judy Ferro, chair of the Canyon County Democrats, led the event, sometimes struggling to maintain order as she was interrupted by interjections from attendees or boisterous outbreaks of competing shouts of “Hillary!” and “Obama!”

The record turnout of 1,636 shocked organizers. Ferro said 225 people attended the county’s 2004 caucus, and preparations were made for about 675 this year.

“We were astonished; our stretch goal was 700,” said Kris Troxel of Nampa, liaison to the state Democratic Executive Committee. “While I’m a Clinton supporter you have to applaud the Obama people and their outreach,” she said. “It’s good for the party.”

At an 8:30 p.m. initial count, Obama led with 72 percent to Clinton’s 20. John Edwards held about 1 percent and 7 percent were undecided. Because undecided voters and supporters of Edwards did not break the 15 percent mark necessary to elect a delegate, they were given the option of changing their votes or rendering them invalid.

Representatives from each category gave brief speeches before caucus-goers were freed to mingle, discuss and attempt to persuade others to change their votes.

What ensued were animated and sometimes heated exchanges.

Margaret Langan, 72, of Caldwell, said she came to the event undecided but eventually joined the Obama camp. “I think Obama is the one who can lead and bring peace to the nation and peace around the world,” she said. “I think the youth are leading us in this aspect as well. The youth see that we need change, and he is committed to change.”

First time caucus-goer Doug Page, 37, of Nampa, said caucusing was interesting, but he would prefer a primary vote to the somewhat more chaotic and time-consuming process. Page attended with his wife to support Obama.

“We went and saw him speak on Saturday when he was here and we’re just happy with what he stands for at this point,” Page said.

When the final count was announced just after 9 p.m., supporters of Clinton and Obama split to elect delegates to represent the county at June’s state convention. Twenty-three of the county’s 29 delegates will caucus for Obama at the convention, and six for Clinton.