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June 25, 2008
Obama To Play In Texas?
For years now during presidential election season, Texas has been little more than an ATM machine for the two major parties. Ours is an enormous state (read: very expensive to campaign in), and has been safely in the Republican column, so the respective Democratic and Republican campaigns have left it well enough alone, aside from swooping in whenever possible to drag the bag for money. Needless to say, for Texans this situation has gotten old.
Could 2008 be different? In a piece by Ben Smith posted this morning on Politico, the Obama campaign strongly suggests it plans to play in Texas. Wow.
Has the Obama team gone off the deep end and begun believing their guy can win the Lone Star State? Not exactly. The campaign (wisely, in our judgment) downplays its chances to actually win Texas. Rather they are focused on influencing races at the local level, particularly legislative races, which stand to impact the upcoming battle over Congressional redistricting after the 2010 Census. Again, wow.
The Smith article mentions that Obama chief strategist David Axelrod was in Houston recently for a fundraiser (note: the bag-dragging hasn't exactly stopped), and apparently said the campaign plans to drop 15 staffers into Texas. Obama wants to drive up turnout in urban areas, which affect a number of legislative races in the Houston and DFW areas, and potentially help flip control of the Texas House.
Such talk is music to Texas Democrats' ears. Folks here have long asked how it is the party is supposed to advance in this state if it is routinely ignored during national elections. DNC Chairman Howard Dean stated early on that he was committed to party building in all 50 states, and to his credit has followed through on that promise. We can only hope the Obama folks mean what they say as well.
Posted by houtopia at June 25, 2008 10:48 PM
Comments
It would be nice for him to do some campaigning in Texas. Whether he wins or not, just going in and actually listening to people and getting his message out there is what it's all about. Texas is a Republican state, but there are democrats who live there, too. They don't want to be ignored. If he lays it on thick, McCain might have to spend money where he thought he would not have to. I hope Obama wins in November. I am with him all the way.
Obama 08!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Vegas at June 26, 2008 04:19 PM
I am beyond tired of hearing this "Texas is a Republican state" refrain over and over and over.... even by Democrats.........
Please awaken and realize the page has already been turned on that sad chapter of Texas history.
Ask those who have travelled the state and took time to visit in the barber shops, filling stations, cafes, auction houses, feed lots and diners. Ask Hank Gilbert (42%); ask Bill Moody (45%). TEXAS VOTERS WILL VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS IF THEY BELIEVE THE DEMOCRATS BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES ENOUGH TO FUND/SUPPORT THEIR OWN CANDIDATES! Neither Hank nor Bill had squat for $ because the state and local Texas Democratic Party Poobahs and Wallets had no faith. Meanwhile, I carried Harris and came within 3/5th of a point of winning my 10 county district (~18.2% of Texas turnout in'06); and Dallas Dems prevailed.
So if Harris, Dallas, Travis, El Paso, the Valley and Jefferson are Dem (and Harris IS Dem...) with Bexar on the cusp....where does anyone get off claiming Texas is a Republican state?
Give Texas funded, organized Democratic campaigns and Texas voters will elect Democrats statewide.....give the voters candidates with campaigns that are malnourished and Texas voters will still deliver in the range of 42-45% Democratic......that extra 5.001-8.001 points costs a few hundred thousand dollars per campaign. These things are not won with "attaa-boy/way to go slaps on the back". It takes people with vehicles full of gasoline; signs; printers; it takes the publication of important endorsements; it takes very judiciously targeted mail sending out remarkable messages or less-than-remarkable messages by remarkable people; it takes grass-roots AND media campaigns; and a staff equipped with the resources to coordinate it all.
Posted by: Jim Sharp at June 29, 2008 05:06 AM