Grand Island's Democratic Party voters began moving forward in their first steps toward the 2012 election, meeting for a caucus Saturday at Central Catholic High School.
Hall County Democratic Party Chair Judy Vohland: "It's to get people active, also to give them an opportunity to participate in a little more grass-roots way of voting where you just don't go in and check the ballot."
The caucus was sparsely attended compared to the first such Grand Island caucus held four years ago, but those who did participate viewed a video message from the Obama campaign, and Mark Sullivan, candidate for Nebraska's third Congressional district seat, showed up to garner support.
Mark Sullivan: "I really like to be able to get around to these organizations and meetings because I can meet people one on one and I think I can be more effective talking to people in person."
In the presidential race, the Democratic Party has the incumbent, and they now face the classic leader's dilemma: recapturing momentum for the 2012 election.
Four years ago, Grand Island democrats turned out for the early caucus in droves.
Democratic Party volunteer Marvin Webb: "It was a lot different back then. Of course, now when we just have the incumbent president Barack Obama as candidate for president -- it's probably not going to be as large a turnout, but still we want to go through the caucus process."
Caucus participants said that while they were a bit disappointed in Saturday's turnout, they've only just begun.
Democratic Party volunteer Dan Quick: "I think this time around they're just complacent because you only have one candidate. I think the next go-round, the next caucus, you'll see a better turnout because the base will be excited -- you'll have two candidates to choose from."
