Grass root

Karen Morrison is a Sparks retiree. The RN&R caught up with her last weekend at Sparks High School, where she attended her Democratic precinct caucus.

Why did you come today?

Because I feel responsible for helping the process of elections. That’s it.

How do you mean that?

I have a responsibility to do my part to help make this country work, and this is what I wanted to do. So this is why I’m here.

Have you done this before?

I was at the last one [2008].

A much smaller turnout this time. Does that bother you?

We only had eight last time, too, I think, in our [precinct]. … We were in Sparks Middle School last time that I was in the caucus.

It was packed then.

There were quite a few people there. It wasn’t as big as the Republicans did, of course, because this is a small Democratic area. But there’s more than I thought there would be.

After the caucus is over and the campaign unfolds, do you stay involved?

Yes, I do. … I have done canvassing. I worked a couple of elections on election boards. I’m not this time because I’m handicapped and it’s hard for me to get around, but I will be as involved as I can, and I will make sure I vote.

Last time around, did you work on the Obama campaign?

No, I didn’t, because I was for Clinton last time. But when he got the [nomination], I worked for him, yes. And I work for him this time, and I have contributed money to the campaign. …

Have you always been involved in politics?

As much as I could. It came along kind of late in life. Although, when I started I was a Kennedy Democrat. I registered [to vote] in 1960, voted for Kennedy, and tried to be involved all along, at least make sure I voted, anyway. I know people that don’t even do that. … You know, you’ve got to get somebody in, hopefully, who’ll be able to fix things. And that’s what I try to do. That’s what I’m trying to do, is to make sure that my vote, my voice is there. … I hope Obama wins again, I really do, because I think he is smart as he can be. And if they would have backed him [in Congress]—but they didn’t want to back him. I mean, the Republicans were not willing to compromise. That upset me very much.

You talked about the responsibility of being involved. Are there other attractions?

Yes. As I said, I worked on two election boards, and it was a lot of fun.