Super Tuesday: Inside a Minneapolis Caucus

Minneapolis, Minn. -- At 6:45 when I arrive, the line to cast a ballot has wound out the door, down the sidewalk, and almost to busy Nicollet Ave. Voters are turning out in record numbers to cast their ballots for the next democratic presidential nominee. Ahead of me, a young gay couple chatters excitedly about voting. One of the girls I recognize from college, although I don't remember her name. The other woman is a newcomer to Minnesota and is nervous about her temporary license. Behind me, a large group of very diverse 'kids' are talking loudly, most of them are like me, first-time participants in a primary.

The line is spattered with middle-aged Caucasian couples, teen-aged African-Americans, single moms in their twenties with their kids along and entire Somali families that have come out to cast their vote in the democratic caucus. Nearly every set of lips is discussing the same name, Obama. Our caucus location, a protestant church on a busy city street, has recently been renovated and expanded. It's still far too small for the massive crowd that's been growing since the late afternoon hours. The 5th congressional district of Minneapolis is densely populated and staunchly democratic. In 2006 we elected Keith Ellison as our congressman. The first black-Muslim-American man to hold such an office, he chose to be sworn in using the Qur'an instead of the Bible. We're proud of our diversity here. Proud of our tolerance and proud of the unique position we hold in this historic election.