HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT Fifth District Court Judge Robert Lane clearly appears concerned as he watches the slow processing during the Republican caucus Saturday morning. Advertisement

Voters conceded it was a learning curve with the first-ever Democratic presidential caucus Saturday, but many were still critical of the process.

"It was interesting. I was really happy to see that there were so many people that showed up. That's the best thing about the process. The best thing in southern Nevada, it was nice to know there were other Democrats besides me," said Barbara Bernstein outside Hafen Elementary School Saturday.

But Valle Gorham said she wanted to change back to voting for the president in the regular primary system.

"Whenever we start that, it'll be none too soon," Gorham said. But she conceded, "I was happy with the turnout and I thought for the first time, I think it went as smooth as could be expected."

Orvetta Woodworth had a suggestion for next time. "It was pretty busy going in, but once we got in there it was pretty good. It was really crowded trying to sign up. They need a bigger spot I think, a bigger area," she said.

On the other hand, Jim Medici said simply, "I thought it was a mess."

Robert Nipper had a short description: "Organized chaos. That's about it. They figured out what to do as they were going along."

Herman DeGroot noted, "it was not too much organized, but once again, for most people it's the first time. They could've organized it a little bit better."

"It wasn't easy at all. When you came in you didn't know, there were just lines backed up. You didn't know where you were supposed to be. This is the first time we ever went to a caucus so I have nothing to compare it to," said Annette Seguin.

Bob Howard was disappointed. He was supporting former U.S. Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., but his candidate didn't have the support of 15 percent of the voters in his precinct to be viable under the rules. Howard refused to back a second choice. He asked why voters in various precincts weren't able to join in supporting a candidate to make up the critical number needed.

"I don't have a good word to say about the damn thing," Howard said. Speaking about the other Edwards supporters, he said, "We just wouldn't vote for anybody else. We kept them from getting another delegate."

Ivan Reid, however, was more complimentary about the process, citing how Nevada voters now can influence the election.

"There was a lot of effort that went into it and I think the important thing to remember is the intent of the individuals who want to have their voices heard," he said. "We came here, we made this happen. I think we were successful."

"If you all can vote in a normal election, we'd be here to celebrate a certain victory," former President Bill Clinton said the day before. "But you have a caucus not a primary. Who will win depends on who wants it the worst and who will be able to organize themselves to get all of their supporters there in a two hour window."

In his concluding remarks, about the lawsuit over caucusing in Las Vegas casinos where the culinary union endorsed Obama, Clinton said, "We all thought that America, and especially the Democratic party, was about one man, one vote."

"The people of Nevada should ask themselves, number one, four years from now, do you wish to keep the caucus, and second, what the rules should be," he said.