Coeur d’ Alene- North Idaho College
By Laura Mansfield and Will Mari

As the craziness of the caucus wound down, the nitty-gritty of electing delegates and alternates began for both Obama and Clinton supporters.

Amidst “ya’lls” and raised hands, seven delegates were chosen for Clinton, 27 for Obama.

Clinton’s supporters were conciliatory.

“It’s just delightful,” said Tamara Degitz, the local Clinton caucus chair. Degitz had been elected as a delegate for the Democratic state convention in Boise in June. She wants to go on to the national convention in Denver, and while a little swamped by the Obama-mentum at her caucus site, she said that the level of participation in Idaho’s Democratic caucus is ultimately more important.

“I’ve been looking forward to this my whole life,” she said. Degitz says that her candidate’s White House run is historic. “Democrats are ready to take back the state,” she declared.

Meanwhile, Albert Wilkerson and his wife Amy, California transplants and active Democrats, were very happy with the results of the caucus. Their man, Obama, won the night in Idaho.

“It feels like home up here,” Amy said. “It’s an American turnout,” Albert added.

Earlier in the evening, Justin Stormogipson, the caucus chair for Obama, spoke to the assembled throng: “the nation will awaken tomorrow with a new image of Idaho.”

This was followed by chants of “yes, we can!”

Lori Smith spoke to the uncommitted voters before changing her mind later that night. “Do you think this country can take four more years of an ‘R’ in office?”

Shouts of “no!” followed.

Citing experience, she found herself switching to the outnumbered Clinton camp.

“But to be honest,” I’ll be proud to vote for Obama,” said the life-long Democratic and union member.

Ryan Robinson, the student body president of North Idaho College and a member of Students for Progressive Change, was an exception to the Obama “youth rule.”

“It’s amazing to have this here on campus, because it’s extending a reach out to the college community.”

Mary Lou Read has been voting for 56 years. Her first ballot was cast in 1952, and she’s been living in Coeur d’ Alene since 1956, the same year she campaigned for legendary Democratic Sen. Frank Church.

“It’s time for the pendulum to swing back a little bit,” she said. The state went Republican for the first time in 1972, and despite gains in 1992, has remained in the red block since 1996.

Lyndon Johnson was the last Democratic president Idaho help sent to the White House, she said, but she hopes that changes this year.

In regards to the Obama turnout, “the enthusiasm for young people is great.” But in regards to the overall level involvement, she said “it’s electricity, tremendously electric.”