'Historic' turnout overwhelms Democratic congressional assemblies

COLORADO SPRINGS -- The day before the state Democratic convention, thousands packed a Colorado Springs hotel for three Democratic congressional assemblies - even though none of the assemblies were competitive.

The large crowds at the Doubletree Hotel on Friday led to long delays and logistical snafus during the assemblies.

Delegates turned out in record high numbers, waiting in line for hours to register for the CD-3, CD-4, and CD-5 assemblies, in which John Salazar, Betsy Markey and Hal Bidlack were set to be approved uncontested.

The CD-5 assembly was delayed an hour and a half because of a computer glitch regarding alternates, causing many delegates to leave before they could vote.

The CD-5 delay postponed the CD-3 assembly, which was supposed to be held in the hotel's grand ballroom. But Salazar directed all the delegates he could find outside into a courtyard, gave a short speech via megaphone, and was nominated unanimously.

Some delegates didn't get the message, though, and remained in the ballroom while Salazar was approved on a voice vote outside.

"We were supposed to start at six o'clock. People were getting hungry, so...," Salazar said after the vote. "We just told people, c'mon outside, let's do it outside. It was fun."

The CD-3 delegates were soon led back into the ballroom, where both Salazar and Democratic CD-3 State Board of Education candidate Jill Repella spoke for the second time.

The CD-4 assembly, scheduled for 8 p.m., didn't start until after 10 p.m. But if any delegates were tired or had hit the hotel bar in the interim, Betsy Markey's campaign woke them up by introducing the CD-4 Democratic nominee with a high school drum line.

Colorado Democratic Party Chair Pat Waak said the problems were due to "just shear numbers."

"This is the largest Democratic convention we've ever done in our history," Waak said. "We have more delegates here than the Democratic National Convention will have in August, and we have six staff people and some volunteers. And whatever we've raised, they (the DNC) have got millions and millions of dollars and tons and tons of staff. And so quite frankly, we're just doing the best we can."

"It's challenging logistically, but it's a wonderful challenge to have," said Billy Compton, Colorado Democratic Party political director. "Because what you're seeing is an energized Democratic party. And that bodes well for us in November."

Compton called the turnout "historic."

With the outcome of the assemblies not in doubt, the assemblies were little more than Democratic rallies. Former Denver Mayor and Democratic superdelegate Federico Pena spoke in favor of nominating Barack Obama for president; he was followed by former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, who stumped for Hillary Clinton.

Several local Democratic state legislative candidates also spoke, including HD-14 candidate Chyrese Exline, HD-15 candidate Michelle Maksimowicz, and HD-21 candidate Anna Lord.