Democrats predict caucus revival in hot primary race

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AUGUSTA – When Audrey Daigle goes to a local diner for her morning coffee, she talks to her friends in Anson about the town’s coming Democratic caucus, hoping to draw 20 people to a meeting that has drawn barely six or eight in the past.

Daigle, who will convene the party gathering in a fire hall in the Somerset County town of 2,600, is not alone in her zeal to get more party members to participate in local Democratic gatherings all over the state on Feb. 8.

Their fling with presidential primaries over, Maine Democrats are re-embracing the caucus system with such enthusiasm they hope to attract 10,000 party members statewide to meetings held in schools, town halls, libraries and other public places.

Tapping into an elevated level of interest in a race featuring nine contenders for the presidential nomination, the party is also offering absentee ballots through its Web site and, with some success, encouraging caucuses in towns that haven’t been holding them.

Democratic gatherings were scheduled in at least 350 of Maine’s nearly 500 towns and cities as of a few days ago, well over the number that held caucuses four years ago, party officials say.

“People are really interested in having some change, and they’re coming back to the party,” said state Democratic Chairwoman Dorothy Melanson.

The party will collect numbers on the night of the voting as local leaders call their results into a central gathering spot in Portland, then refine the figures over the next day or so.

The Feb. 8 results will be apportioned by each candidate’s showing to determine which delegates will be sent to the party’s state convention May 21-23 in Portland. Most political observers believe the party’s presumptive presidential nominee will be known well before that.

Still, Maine Democrats hope the state can maximize its role in the process and make itself a center of national attention next month because no other state holds its presidential preference contest on the same day. But there will have to be some sharing that weekend.

Michigan and Washington state hold their caucuses on the day before Maine’s. And in Michigan, where Democrats are being invited to vote by mail or Internet, much more is at stake for the candidates with 128 delegates up for grabs compared to Maine’s 34.

Iowa starts the process with its caucuses Monday, and Maine’s neighboring state of New Hampshire holds its first-in-the-nation primary Jan. 27.

Melanson does not think the activity elsewhere will overshadow what happens in Maine, which is among the first dozen states to hold a primary or caucus.

“I think that when we get into that type of cycle every day, there’ll be interest” in Maine, said Melanson.

William Coogan, a political science professor at the University of Southern Maine, agrees Maine will be a player in the nomination process, but says it will be a small one.

In Anson, Daigle is confident Maine’s voice will be heard because “we’re usually in the forefront in everything we do,” such as passing pioneering laws.

“My main concern is that not enough voters in Maine realize that the presidential candidates won’t be on the June ballot,” Daigle said, noting that the caucuses are the only chance for voters to express their preference for party nominees.

In Maine, where traditional town meetings are a cornerstone of democratic activity, caucuses were long the parties’ chosen method for indicating presidential favorites.

Hoping to flex regional muscle in the selection process, Maine joined with four other New England states – New Hampshire not included – with same-day primaries in 1996 and 2000.

But the caucuses were never tossed out completely, serving temporarily as forums to elect party leaders and conduct other business. In the last go-around, the caucuses drew about 3,500 participants in Maine, while 64,279 votes were cast in the primary featuring Al Gore and Bill Bradley in 2000.

“It was too confusing for people to go to a caucus one day and vote in a primary two days later,” said Melanson. Now, it’s back to an all-caucus system for both major parties.

Maine joins at least three other states – Kansas, Colorado and Utah – that have canceled state-run 2004 primaries. Some question the cost and whether their primaries would have much meaning after the first few states have held theirs.

Coogan believes the presidential selection process is well-served by caucuses because they test as well as enhance each candidate’s ability to organize, a critical skill for any major elected official.

Maine Republicans will be holding their presidential caucuses through March 20, with most scheduled in February. With Bush facing no opposition for re-election, virtually all of the attention is drawn by the Democrats.

Democratic leaders say the caucuses restore the grass-roots strength of the party.

At the same time, candidates’ campaigns rely more on organizing and making a presence in caucus states than on more impersonal media ads that typify primary states.

“One of the real advantages to the parties is that caucuses are a good recruitment device,” Coogan noted.

The larger size of the party’s field of contenders, combined with strong feelings among Democrats about President Bush’s record, are expected to draw 10,000 participants, said Aymie Walshe, executive director of the Maine Democratic Party.

Campaigns of fellow New Englanders Howard Dean and Sen. John Kerry have been active in Maine, and Melanson said Wesley Clark “is really stepping it up” as caucus day draws closer.

Dennis Kucinich planned at least three more appearances in Maine and Rep. Dick Gephardt is airing TV ads and has sent surrogates and his national field director.

Former Vermont Gov. Dean’s candidacy has drawn endorsements from some of Maine’s top elected officials, including House Speaker Patrick Colwell of Gardiner and Senate Majority Leader Sharon Treat of Farmingdale. Democratic Gov. John Baldacci has not indicated a favorite.