Sveriges Radio (April 22, 2008)
TV4 Nyhetsmorgon (April 23, 2008)

Sweden Obama supporters report submitted by Adrianne George and Paul L.

Friday, 14 March 2008
Paul and I were among the 14 or so caucus attendees to have a drink with the Mayor of Brussels and receive a private tour of the historic Hotel de Ville.

Mayor of Brussels, unknown, Paul, Adrianne (DA Sweden)

Over 100 attendees gathered at the brewer’s guild hall in Grand Place for the 2 hour beer reception DA Belgium organized for the caucus. It was loud and energetic as old friends reunited and new friendships were made.

Paul, Philip (Malmo resident-DA Denmark member), Adrianne

Saturday, 15 March 2008

Sandy – DA Sweden Secretary

Paul attended an Obama fundraising meeting organized by Karin Robinson from DA UK (presentation attached). The caucus convened and once the delegates and electors were verified the Clinton supporters met upstairs to elect 2 delegates, while the Obama supporters stayed in the main meeting room to elect 4 delegates.

The rules for voting were read, the decision to select 2 men and to female delegates as well as implement the affirmative action goals set forth by the Democratic Party. It was also decided that each delegate candidate would be given 2 minutes to say why they should be elected. We would listen to the women first and then the men, and then hold the first round of voting. Candidates must receive at least 15% of the votes to continue to the next round of voting. Any candidate that receives 50% of the vote has been selected to be a delegate.

Following the women’s speeches Kevin Prager, DA Belgium Chair and caucus veteran called for the small country delegations to form a coalition to avoid being steam rolled by the larger countries, i.e. UK, France and Germany. Our coalition included Switzerland,
Lebanon, Austria, Denmark, Belgium, South Africa, the Netherlands, Sweden,
Denmark, France (Riviera and Strasbourg chapters), Luxembourg, Turkey,
Norway and Israel. We decided on 4 delegate candidates to support: Monica/South Africa (African American-Africa), Adrianne/Sweden (African American-Europe), David/Lebanon (Arab American – Middle East) and Bob (LGBT-Europe). We wanted diverse candidates from different geographical regions.

Small country coalition forging a strategy to avoid being excluded

Following the 1st round of voting each candidate received enough votes to continue to the second round of voting. The coalition agreed to push for our candidates from Africa, the Middle East and the LGBT representative. We tried to Karin Robinson from the UK pledged her delegations’ support for our candidates in exchange for our vote for her. The small country coalitions’ candidates made it to the second round of voting. This took the entire day and we broke for dinner with the task of returning at 07.45 on Sunday to complete the selection of the Obama delegates.

Sunday 15 March 2008

Paul and other caucus participants

The powers that be announced that there was a critical fault in the reporting of the election results. Due to the use of the wrong co-efficient the results were under reported. For example each candidate received 50% more. For example in round two I received 26.2% instead of 13.1%. This meant that I was back on the ballot, and another woman should not have made it to the second round of voting. More importantly it meant that 3 candidates had actually been elected on Saturday, due in part to the negotiations among countries following the first ballot. Everyone in the room was stunned, disappointed, and some were suspicious. For example Shari Temple was now back on the ballot and her supporters had been pressing for her to be chosen as a delegate because of the work she did on the DA database. In sum it was a mess. Arguments were made for and against accepting the revised results. It was determined that a 2/3rds majority was needed to pass a motion to accept the results of the second round of voting. That motion failed and the voting returned to the second round.

David, Shari, Monica and Bob

More negotiations between countries followed, I withdrew from the race and endorsed Monica, and following the final vote Monica, David, Bob and Shari Temple (Native American –UK).

Aftermath;
The small country coalition formed an email list and is circulating ideas for fundraising and photo opportunities ahead of the Vancouver caucus. The coalition wants to support the South Africa and Lebanon chapters to ensure they are viable ahead of Denver. Some of even bracing for the delegate election to be challenged in Denver which is a definite possibility.

One member has suggested setting up a group Wiki and list serve and a member of DA Denmark wants to form a regional group with Sweden.