Hancock County Caucus at the Maine Democratic Party Convention 2008 May 30-June 1, 2008 Hancock County Democratic Committee Chair Dexter Bellows stood in front of a room full of delegates and alternates at the Augusta Civic Center, Sunday, microphone in hand and smiling despite a grueling weekend of convention business. The delegates had already voted on presidential preference, assigned delegates and listened to speeches. They'd already stood in lines, waited for assignments and sat in chairs. Still, they rose as one to applaud Bellows, Vice-Chair Bethany Reynolds, Regional Field Organizer Heather Martin-Zboray, Secretary Karen Roos, and other volunteers who worked tirelessly throughout the convention. "It’s really been an exhilarating time," Bellows said, "and I am really proud of Hancock County." While rumors swirled about other county delegations succumbing to the heat and the occasional temper, or simply a lack of pens, Hancock County Democrats focused on the process. When the group didn’t have enough ballots, people gave mini-speeches, told jokes into the microphone and even sang Kumbaya to pass the time. "Hancock County really seems to be a leader in the state," said Castine resident Tom Gutow. Gutow requested that the county democrats continue to strive for shared goals and to respect each other. It was a familiar theme. In his keynote address on the convention floor, Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois said, "Soon, the primaries and caucuses will come to an end. As of Tuesday, all of the states and territories will have voted. And at that point, it is time for us to start to unite as a party." Obviously, the singing group at Hancock County already had a head start at working towards unity despite differences in presidential preference. Even while waiting on Sunday the group began to volunteer auction items. One delegate after another stood up promising to donate food, books, trips, paintings and crab meat for the annual August fundraiser. Other members of the group would listen and then cheer as people volunteered more and more goods and services. Over 190 Hancock County delegates, alternates and guests attended the convention on Saturday. The county was allotted 170 delegates. 145 of the originally elected delegates came to the convention. Hancock County also had 43 alternates attending, of which 25 were upgraded to delegate status to fill the openings. Par Kettis (Castine) and Anne Czechanski (BH) for Obama, and Mary J. Schepers (BH) for Clinton were voted to be delegates to the National Convention from the 2nd Congressional District. Representative Hannah Pingree was also elected to travel to Denver as a Party Leader/Elected Official delegate. It's estimated that 3,700 Democrats gathered on Saturday, the main day of the three-day convention. Signs for all nine Democrats vying for a Congressional seat in Washington were plastered on walls, above urinals, and on floors. There were also flyers and buttons from contenders hoping to represent Maine at the Democratic National Convention in Denver this August. Issues discussed included the War in Iraq, healthcare, energy efficiency, oil and gasoline prices and care for veterans. "What about supporting these men and women when they take off their uniforms?" U.S. Representative Michael Michaud said in a floor speech Friday night. "I will continue to speak out until our troops are brought home." Michaud’s remarks drew wild cheers and applause from the entire crowd. The Bangor Daily News covered the convention and there were pieces and in the Kennebec Journal and Portland Press Herald. Glenn Adams wrote an AP story on the weekend. Politicker Maine's website has video of speeches and reports from the floor. Blogger reports from a Hancock County delegate and alternate are on Turn Maine Blue. Reported by Carrie Jones, author and candidate for ME House, District 38.