West Seattle precinct divided at start of caucus

SEATTLE, Wash. — It was a bustling commons area at West Seattle High School as 500 people or more squeezed in to caucus.
 
When the caucus started, Precinct 34-1429 seemed almost evenly divided.
 
Michelle McCormick was the only person to raise her hand when the chair was asked if anyone was uncommitted.
 
So it was she who speakers had in mind when they spoke in favor of their candidates.
 
One woman said, "I have never participated in a Democratic caucus before. I am here because of Bernie, I believe in his vision. I align with his values."
 
"Bernie Sanders represents a different breed of politics than we've ever seen in this country," said Darwin Cyphers Manning.
 
"I'm voting for Hillary Clinton," said Elaine Ike. "I have supported many people in the past who were leading movements. They did not get elected. I plan to have a Democratic president in November."
 
Keri Schneider grew emotional as she recalled the attacks a fraction of male Sanders supporters have unleashed against women who support Clinton. "Bernie Sanders has had supporters of his say some really, really nasty things about women," she said.

And she expressed the belief that Sanders hasn't done enough to stop the attacks.  "As a woman, I'm seeing women's rights being taken away," she said while trying to hold back tears. And I can't vote for somebody who is not going to stand up for us."
 
The final results were close, 20 votes for Clinton, and 21 for Sanders. Sanders won two delegates, Clinton took away one delegate and a new supporter, Michelle McCormick.
 
"I realize that she has the most experience and would make the best president. I think that we wouldn't even be having this discussion if she was a man," she said.

Cox Media Group