http://www.tribnet.com/news/story/4711591p-4661680c.htmlAny erosion of Dean's support in Washington state is good for U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, said his state spokeswoman, Patty Kuderer.
Kucinich, who spent Wednesday and Thursday campaigning in Washington - his fourth trip to the state - appeals to many liberal Democrats who might have backed Dean because they saw him as more viable opponent to President Bush than Kucinich, Kuderer said. "But at this point, with what's happening to Howard Dean, there are a lot of progressives in Washington who will be more inclined to vote their conscience rather than vote their fears," Kuderer said.
Kucinich, who has a strong volunteer operation here, is campaigning in Washington state as if he has a chance to win the Democratic presidential nomination.
"I don't think anyone's going to have a majority of delegates going into the convention," Kucinich told The Associated Press on Thursday before giving a speech at a Democratic luncheon in Seattle. "What that means is that the convention will be the place where the candidate is chosen. And the most electable candidate will be the one who said there were not weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, who voted against the war and who's going to get troops out of Iraq."
A thumbnail guide to Saturday's Washington Democratic presidential caucuses:
What: The beginning of a four-month process that will allocate 78 delegate votes to the Democratic National Convention and help determine the party's challenger to President Bush. Elected and party officials hold another 17 "super delegate" votes.
Who: Registered voters who are willing to sign a form that states they consider themselves Democrats and indicates their preference for president, though voters can sign up as "uncommitted." People who aren't registered to vote can attend and participate in discussions, but not vote.
Where: About 600 schools, churches and community halls around the state, including more than 50 in Pierce County.
Cost: It's free to attend and participate, but donations to help defray costs are accepted.
How it works: Attendees gather at 10 a.m. At 10:30 a.m., the precinct caucus leader will announce how many attendees are backing each candidate. A preliminary assignment of delegates will be allotted to each candidate having the support of at least 15 percent of attendees.
Voters are then allowed to discuss their choices and switch their support and a second vote is cast. The final vote must not be taken before 11 a.m.
Precincts: Some caucus sites will host multiple precincts. Your precinct is listed on your voter registration card.
If you can't find your card, call your county auditor. In Pierce County, call 253-798-7427; in King County, call 206-296-8683; in Kitsap County, call 360-337-7128.
Once you know your precinct number, you can find the caucus site in your precinct at www.wa-democrats.org or at the linked county Democratic sites. The News Tribune published a list of Pierce County sites on page A7 of Wednesday's edition, and posted them online as well.
On the Net
www.tribnet.com (click on the "Election 2004" tab)
www.wa-democrats.org
www.piercecountydemocrats.org
www.kcdems.org/Caucus%20Locations.htm
www.kitsapdemocrats.com/kcdems/2004_pcaucus.html