EAGLE — Residents decisively chose Democratic front-runner Barack Obama as their pick for presidential nominee at the Democratic County Assembly on Monday night.

The gathering of Eagle County residents was the next step in the Democratic presidential nomination process, which began with the Colorado caucuses held Feb. 5, also known as “Super Tuesday.”

Like the rest of Colorado that Tuesday, Democrats who live in Eagle County chose Barack Obama as well as delegates to represent them at meetings until the 2008 election.

Robert Vogl said he had volunteered to be a delegate Feb. 5 to represent fellow Vail residents who had voted for Obama. His County Assembly vote Monday night was one of 117 votes for Obama; Hillary Clinton got 34 votes.

“I think he’s less divisive, less entrenched and can rally the country behind him,” Vogl said about Obama.

Denver or bust

Some delegates at Monday’s County Assembly will go to the Democratic State Convention in May in Colorado Springs, where delegates will choose the candidates who Colorado voters will see on primary ballots Aug. 12.

Vogl said he hopes to represent voters at the Democratic National Convention, where delegates have a say in who becomes the Democratic presidential nominee.

“The farther you go, the more votes you represent,” Vogl said.

David Cramer, a delegate who lives in Basalt, said he voted for Mark Udall, who is running to represent Colorado in the U.S. Senate. Cramer’s vote was one of 153 for Udall; Mark Benner got eight votes.

Udall is committed to protecting the environment, Cramer said.

“I think he’ll do a good job,” Cramer said.

Democratic candidates Joan Fitz-Gerald and Jared Polis, who are running to represent Eagle County in U.S. Congress, got 63 and 62 votes, respectively.

Fitz-Gerald spoke to delegates about Eagle County’s pine beetle problem and her support of universal health care and withdrawing troops from Iraq.

“We cannot occupy a country in our name,” she said.

Polis told delegates he wanted to fix the No Child Left Behind Act so that it helps students and does not penalize schools and teachers.

Polis has enjoyed serving Colorado as past chairman of the Colorado State Board of Education, he said.

“I’d bring that passion to Washington to ensure that this country lives up to its promise of providing hope and opportunity for every American,” he said.

County candidates

Delegates nominated incumbent Commissioner Peter Runyon and Eagle Mayor Jon Stavney for separate seats on the Board of County Commissioners.

Cathleen Krahe, of Carbondale, summed up the fervor of the Democratic delegates, who cheered wildly for each candidate.

“I think this is an exciting year and that this country needs change,” Krahe said.

Republicans will hold their County Assembly at 4 p.m. March 1 in the Eagle County Building.

Republican candidates Mark Hurlbert, seeking reelection as Eagle County’s district attorney; Al White, running for Eagle County’s state Senate seat; and Muhammad Ali Hasan, running to represent Eagle County in the state House, are expected to attend.



Staff Writer Steve Lynn can be reached at 748-2931 or slynn@vaildaily.com.