Big numbers turn out for first Nebraska caucus
(2/10/2008) Ginger ten Bensel



Saturday night, Nebraska made history. The state held its first Democratic Caucuses. Barack Obama won Nebraska, beating Hillary Clinton by more than 13,000 votes.

Sunday night, whether their presidential hopeful won or not, area Democrats are calling the states first Presidential Caucuses a success.

Many Democrats say they were very pleased with the turn out on Saturday. They believe the state of Nebraska will continue to be a part of the Presidential Democratic Caucuses.

Some area Caucus locations did experience an over flow of people, and some ran out of a few supplies, but they were able to pull it off without very many glitches.

They turned out in record numbers all over the state of Nebraska.

“It is something they are hungry for,” said Former 3rd District Candidate, Scott Kleeb.

In the Omaha area, 4,000 participants registered to vote and 15,000 people took part in the Caucus. That is several thousand more than expected and the buildings were overflowing, causing them to run out of space but Stephanie Retzlaff Leeding says they will be ready for the influx of people next time.

“We will plan,” said Stephanie Retzlaff Leeding.

State wide, over 38,000 people took part in the Democratic Caucus. In fact, in some areas of the state, some caucus locations ran out of voter registration forms and change of party forms. But that did not stop anyone. They were able to make copies and keep everything going at regular pace.

But right now, Scott Kleeb says they are just enjoying the success of the first ever Nebraska Democratic Caucus.

Washington State also held their Democratic Caucus on Saturday.

They have over 6 million residents in the state and 32,000 people turned out for their Caucus.

Nebraska on the average had a much larger turn out, in comparison.



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