In an earlier entry, I commented on the Democratic National Committee allocating 22 delegates to Democrats Abroad.
The story below is from a German newspaper. It was translated into English and sent to me by my son. I like the fact that one of the political parties has opened up the presidential nominating process to citizens overseas. It's time for the other party to do the same. Here's the article. Joel @ 4:30pm
DIE RHEINPFALZ, 12 February 2008, Kaiserslautern County Page – translation by sandra archer/petra day, public affairs office
51st US-State at Landstuhl Coffee Shop
Landstuhl: American Democrats abroad organize primaries
Voting cards and voting boxes were added to coffee and cake: On Sunday afternoon Americans re-configured Café Goldinger at Landstuhl into a polling station. Americans Democrats had invited their fellow countrymen to participate in the primary elections.
“With our votes we are somewhat like the 51st state of America,” said Sudie Nolan-Cassimatis, local election campaign chief describing the impact of the primaries conducted in Germany.
Via their international bureau “Democrats Abroad” the Democratic Party of the United States organizes primaries world-wide, including the Kaiserslautern Chapter where there was a busy coming and going around the voting box at Café Goldinger in Landstuhl on Sunday afternoon.
The expatriates appreciate this easy and effective way to exercise their right to vote. Absentee ballot is possible but, depending of the state, is very complicated and takes place much later. By voting now the party members can perhaps already tip the scales now and decide which candidate will win in the end.
According to US law people must enter their names in voting lists and register as “Democrats”.
Along a line with forms people are led to the voting box decorated with a colorful star and US-flags – a little patriotism is necessary. “I would love to have the ‘double team’; Hillary Clinton as president and Barack Obama as vice president; and I’m here because every vote counts”, says Robert M. Künne. Many others say the same in casual chats while enjoying coffee and cakes. Voters receive a sticker saying “I voted” after they gave their ballots.
More than 50 people gave their vote before 5 p.m. and “many participated via internet” Ron Schlundt assumes. He is the treasurer of the German section of the Democrats Abroad and gives away the secret of the successful as well as fun afternoon: “Democrats are just more cheerful”.
The results will be published in the internet on 22 February. Then 22 delegates will go to the caucus in the summer. On behalf of the Americans in Germany they will vote for Clinton or Obama.
Campaign helper Bruni Künne is proud of the achievement of the Kaiserslautern chapter and team: “For the first time in 20 years we were able to organize primaries here - and, by the way, we are the only party that did it”. The team experience seems important to everybody. “People even came from Weinheim or St. Ingbert”, says dynamic Sudie Nolan-Cassimatis.
The American spirit and the US insignia are quite a contrast to the placid Landstuhl coffee shop with the typical Sunday afternoon customers. “America needs a change and we will make it” is the message everybody takes along as the voting station empties.
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