Democrats choose delegates

By Brad Shannon | The Olympian • Published May 20, 2008

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For Obama

Yee was elected Saturday at the 9th District convention at North Thurston High School, one of nine congressional caucuses Democrats had throughout the state.

"I came out and basically reiterated that Sen. Obama is really the only candidate that consistently campaigns on rejecting torture without exception, on closing Guantanamo Bay, restoring habeas (corpus) and adhering to the Geneva Conventions," Yee said Monday.

He added that he sees himself as "living proof that civil liberties have been eroded since 9/11" because of what he calls "fear-mongering politics" led by conservatives.

Smith gave credit to the county party's organization, led by Chairman John Cusick, for getting so many county delegates this year.

"Thurston County has a strong message in the peace movement. Now we're going to carry that message forward to the national convention, to let people know how important it is that we get out of Iraq and look at some of our priorities at home," Smith said.

Democrats in all nine Washington districts also brought precinct committee officers together. The PCOs voted to nominate candidates for Congress. In the 9th District, they approved Rep. Adam Smith, D-Tacoma.

Third District precinct officers who met in Napavine gave strong support to U.S. Rep. Brian Baird, D-Vancouver, nominating him by a 59-24 vote over self- described peace candidate Cheryl Crist. Baird voted against the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2002, but last year drew criticism from some peace advocates because he said the United States owes it to Iraq to provide stability for a longer period of time while its young government jells.

Republicans have a simpler process and will select their national at-large and congressional district delegates May 29 to 31 at their state convention, also in Spokane, Thurston County Republican Party Chairman Dan Cathers said.