From Arizona came the story of Mona Reese, who was so excited about voting in Tuesday's presidential primary that she headed to her polling place - in the fellowship hall of a United Methodist church in Phoenix - in her pajamas.
Alaskans pushed, plowed and otherwise powered their way through more than a foot of just-fallen snow to cast their votes, according to one Associated Press report. Voters in lower Manhattan had to elbow past throngs of New York Giants fans gathered for a post-Super Bowl ticker-tape parade.
Montana had its own Super Tuesday euphoria, thanks to the state Republican Party's decision to hold presidential caucuses rather than wait for the outcome of June's primary election to determine their pick for the GOP's presidential nod.
While there were grumbles, deservedly so, about rules limiting credentialed voters to Republican elected officials, precinct committee men and women, and party leaders, we were smitten with the unabashed enthusiasm of the many hundreds of party members who gathered from one corner of our state to the distant other.
In Billings, U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg told the Associated Press that he was reminded of the state's raucous political rallies of the 1960s. “This is as pure as it gets,” he said.
Missoulian reporters arrived at caucuses in Kalispell, Polson, Missoula and Hamilton and found large crowds of voters and would-be voters thrilled to be part of the Super Tuesday electioneering.
Republican state Sen. Rick Laible of Darby said it best:
“Isn't this great?” he told our reporter. “You turn on the television and they're talking about Montana on CNBC and Fox News. We are now relevant. Š Most importantly, look at the people here tonight. They're enthusiastic to be here and to have their voices heard.
“It doesn't matter who they vote for. What matters is they are here to vote. They're here to participate. It's a great thing.”
We couldn't agree more.
Super Tuesday's politicking and voting in states all across the nation felt great. For the first time in years, Americans seemed genuinely enthused about the process of picking their leaders. The Democratic Party will, by nominating either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton, make history this summer. The Republican Party has, with the diversity and plenitude of its candidates, captured the imagination of whole new groups of voters.
And Montana's GOP did a great job of bringing that excitement to our state - of giving Montanans a chance to feel like their participation really could make a difference. Never mind our small population. Never mind the great physical distances that separate us in such a stretched-out state. Never mind the lack of face time with major-party candidates.
Wasn't it terrific seeing voters, young and old, standing up and speaking out for candidates and issues they believe in? Wasn't it great, too, how the candidates themselves were so focused on issues and answers rather than personal attacks? Wasn't it affirming to see huge numbers of voters turning out for a primary election, intent on making their voices heard in our democracy?
Congratulations to all involved in Super Tuesday's caucuses and primaries. We enjoyed the show. And we can't wait to see that energy and involvement power us into this summer's political conventions and the presidential campaign.
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