Aroostook County has huge Democratic Caucus turnout

To the editor:
    Similar to the rest of Maine, Aroostook County Democrats turned out in huge numbers for the February 10 caucuses to select their Presidential choices and to elect delegates and alternates to the Democratic State Convention.     Over 1,115 Democrats caucused in 55 cities and towns across Aroostook and most towns reported record attendance. Presque Isle broke the record with 118 caucus-goers. Fort Kent, Houlton, Fort Fairfield, Madawaska and Caribou reported 102, 97, 89, 89, and 81 attendees, respectively. Many of our smaller towns also reported double or triple our 2006 caucus attendance with Island Falls reporting 17 caucus-goers, Littleton at 13, Hodgdon at 10, Ludlow at 9, Orient at 9, and Linneus at 7, to name a few. A number of smaller towns caucused in Aroostook for the first time in years.
    Unlike Maine’s total count and the vote of many other counties in Maine for Sen. Barack Obama, Aroostook County Democrats voted close to 2-1 for Sen. Hillary Clinton as their Presidential choice. 131 delegates for Hillary Clinton, 79 delegates for Barack Obama and one Uncommitted will represent Aroostook at the Democratic State Convention. The convention will be held at the Augusta Civic Center in Augusta from May 30-June 1, 2008.
    This outstanding turnout reflects the energy of so many Democrats across Aroostook and their enthusiasm about our choices for Presidential candidates. It is an historic moment that few of us would have envisioned even two years ago – where our choices for Democratic Presidential nominee are between an outstanding woman and African-American candidates, both representing the excellence, diversity and changing demographics of our country.
    All Democratic caucus-goers across Aroostook won on February 10 by exercising their votes in record numbers, by turning out for both candidates, and by casting a resounding vote for new leadership and effective change for America.