Texas Democratic Election a Primary/Caucus Hybrid, requires an extra trip to the polls
Categories: Dallas South Top 5, Politics and Elections
Written By: Shawn Williams
I’d like to thank Bryan who attended an Obama meeting last night, and Rep. Eddie B. Johnson who sent an email, for providing me with some information that I did not know. I was planning to early vote for the Texas Primary, but it looks like in order for my vote to fully count, I’ll need to get back to the polls on election night.
Click here for Texas rules on Democratic delegates.
I’m not going to give the full rundown yet, but let me give you the cliff’s notes version as I understand them so far:
- Texas has a two step process that is open to all registered voters.
- When you cast your vote in the Texas primary, in essence it’s only 75% of a full vote.
- 126 of Texas’ 168 votes will be allocated to candidates based on the ballots cast.
- 15 minutes after the polls close (7:00 p.m.) those who voted must return to their precinct.
- This “precinct convention” is how Texas will decide how to divide the remaining 42 delegates.
- The rules were originally put in place to insure that the Democratic hierarchy would have more say.
That’s it in a nutshell. I had never heard of this before, but then again a Texas primary/caucus has never mattered since I’ve been voting. Thanks again to Bryan and Rep. Johnson.
NEW POST
View most new post on the Texas Democratic Precinct Convention titled 10 things you need to know about the Texas Democratic Primary and Precinct Conventions (caucus)
February 9th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Thanks, I’ve been looking everywhere for an explanation. I have another question for you. When do you have to register to vote? And do you have to register for a specific party?
February 10th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Thank you for the information! I know a lot of my friends that are voting did not know this!
February 12th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
If I am a reg Republican, can I vote for a democrat in the primary.
February 12th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
TEXAS IS AN OPEN PRIMARY. Feel free to support a democrat, then go back and caucus for your candidate. (Hoping Obama can pull it off)
February 12th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Thanks for the info. Like others, I wasn’t aware of these rules.
February 14th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Look Obama is the only real choice in Texas and America.
He has more vision in his little finger than Hillary does in her head.
Hillary has Judgement and Character issues.
Thats all I am saying.
You think she would remeber the people once in.. look back at the 1990’s.
Even the military hated the woman.
I have to go with the real Democrat in the race.. OBAMA.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Hillary will win Texas because she is the best person for the job. Obama has no experience. He won’t be able to stand up to a republican.
February 14th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Lori,
Sorry to inform you of this but Obama has plenty of experience or he wouldn’t be neck and neck with Hillary, the former first lady, Clinton. What the media and everyone else is getting at, while you are listening to gossip, is that he doesn’t exactly have as much experience as Hillary because she was the first lady she lived in the white house. Thats a good way to learn however she was on the sidelines. All of her accomplishments came from her status and her name. She is a smart woman with a good background and good future, but president of the United States, I hope not. She would fight for womens rights and breast cancer research. She in no way is more cut out for the job then Barack Obama. He is a freshman senator, not a senior either. That means he excelled so well as a senator that he was nominated to run in the primary by someone. Someone saw something in him and now so do 21 other states that feel the same way. You should not make comments regarding politics when you obviously choose your vote going by hearsay. My father is a district attorney and he doesn’t allow hearsay in his courtroom. Obama served a short time in the state of Illinois senate. Then he was elected to the US Senate. He went to Harvard Law School. I don’t know how old you are but I am reminded of myself as a teenager. You cannot make a good decision on who will govern our country based on the media and hearsay. You have to do your homework and figure it out for yourself. Obama has plenty of experience and that comment you made was ignorant. Do some digging and get back to me……….
PS Obama has come a much farther way then Hillary, she probably had to just walk across the street, but Obama jumped mountains and glaciers and glass to get where he is. Something should be said for that. I think the ignorance in this country is why all of the other countries hate us so much. We put our blinders on and have no idea what is coming out of our mouths. Don’t be so naive as to think that crap you hear on tv is all there is in politics. Obama brings something new to the table, truth. He is an honest politician. I never thought of such a thing existing in this path to destruction world, but Obama changed my mind. I don’t care what he has done or what happens in this election, Obama gets my vote and I will not believe in God if he doesn’t get the nomination. He would do so much for this country. He has so much heart and will inside of him if we would just give him the opportunity to express it in a place where he had the power to make things happen for our country. Like he said if you want the same people doing the same things, vote for Hillary. I was going for Hillary at the beginning, plain and simply because she was a woman, but then one night I heard Obama. I have never been so inspired in my life. He is truly a blessing. He is our answer to our future. Obama is our future. America needs Obama. He truly believes in one nation working together instead of against each other. This is not a fight, this is a race. Hillary is fighting, McCain is fighting, Obama is racing to the top. Don’t stop him, go VOTE FOR OBAMA ON MARCH 4. It will be the smartest thing you ever did!!!!!! VOTE OBAMA 08!!!!!
February 14th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
I am a premed student applying to medical school this year. I am also a single mother with 2 children. I have a lot on my plate that I placed there. I gave up on politics when America elected Bush into a second term. I haven’t paid attention much until now. Obama would be the freshest thing to our country thus far. He is young, vibrant, diversified, and extremely intelligent. He had to go over and beyond chance and work to end up where he is today. But he’s not done yet, theres a lot more where that came from. I wish I lived in Texas so I could march the streets shouting for Obama. I always saw those people do that and thought whats wrong with them? But now I see, I believe. I believe in something amazing for the first time in my life. Obama is not glorified, he is genuinely passionate about the status of this country. He loves this country and sees what it could be with hard work and dedication. Thats what he’s all about. Obama for president VOTE OBAMA 08!!!!
February 15th, 2008 at 11:30 am
WOW! I live in texas, I’ll help to ensure Obama’s victory.
February 16th, 2008 at 12:06 am
Hillary definitely has my vote. Obama is a great speaker, but I Hillary has the experience and insight to move our country in the right direction… with healthcare, foreign policy and more. I respect everyone who supports Senator Obama, but my vote in the Primary and Caucus will be for Hillary.
February 16th, 2008 at 12:43 am
Thanks for the info. Was searching for this. I am not for Texas but really watching it closely. We did our part in Washington state. I hope Texas can pull it off for Obama.
February 16th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
In regard to the comment about breast cancer: No one who claims to be an advocate dedicated to the health of women would ever be in favoe of a national health system. Please google five year breast cancer survival rates in the US and the UK. In the US, 85% of women with stageII breast cancer survive 5 year. In the UK it’s less than 70%. Hillary’s health care approach is a step back and will only slow technologic advancement.
February 18th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Richard, you cannot assign value to random statistics and hope to infer anything substantive in the process. Take an introductory statistics course–and stop relying on google, for that matter! We spend the most per capita on health care than any other wealthy nation in the world, yet manage to have one sixth of our population uninsured, plus the worst infant mortality rate and one of the lowest life expectancy rates among other wealthy countries. Also, the UK has one of the lowest cancer survival rates in all of Europe–did google tell you that? The United States does lead many countries in cancer survival rates…but at grossly inefficient costs. My mother died of metastatic breast cancer in 2005 so I know from experience.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Thanks for informing me that as a Republican I can vote in the Democratic Primary. I’m going to vote for Hillary because Obama is too far left for my taste. I will not vote for Hillary or Obama in the general election, but Obama is too liberal and should not even have the chance to represent any party.
February 18th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Vision is nothing without ACTION. Hillary’s ACTIONS SPEAK VOLUMES over Obama. Seriously, how can you Obama gurus stand behind a person with no experience on the real issues of today? Do you really believe that he has the chance of winning over the Republicans? So help us all if Obama wins the Democratic seat…at least another Republican 4…what a waste!
February 18th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
I’m sadden to hear so many state Obama has no experience. I wonder if the same people voted for Ronald, Jimmy and George Jr. Did you see a resume for them? Obama is much more intelligent, experienced and credible. It’s a “shame” in 2008 the people still cry, “the cream of the crop” “the best of black” is still not good enough.
George Jr. has brilliant people around him and America still appears as a joke because he’s just dumb… His money and daddy drove him into office….Come on people.. . I’m an Obama supporter and I hope America selects him as President..
February 18th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Obama smokes cigarettes - if he doesn’t care about his own health, how much will he care about ours?
February 18th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
1. Board member of Walmart - during the most anti union era to date.
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4218509&page=1
2. Voted in favor of authorization of war - without reading the National Intelligence estimate.
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/05/25/204032.aspx
3. Here’s some bankruptcy info
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/21/596682.aspx
Need I say more? See for yourself…
4. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9213869100163191207
5. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9213869100163191207
6. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9213869100163191207
February 19th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Texas, we are all counting on you to make this happen!! Please, Please vote for Obama!!! I am from NYC and I am telling you that if Obama had more time he could have won here although it’s Hillary’s backyard!! Think of Virginia, Nebraska, and Kansas! This man is making a difference! I am asking you to vote for him on March 4th!!!
Obama 08!!!
February 19th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
I appreciate this info. I am a registered Republican who wants to vote for Obama. I’m glad to know I can help out in the primary rather than having to wait until the election. If I thought Huckabee would take Texas I’d vote in the Republican primary to throw my vote to McCain. Huckabee is back in the 50’s and wants us all to travel back in time with him!
February 19th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Hillary will be my choice for Presedent USA 2008.Been that I came from being a Mirant worker picking up crops from state to state to make a leaving and a manority hispanic that had to strogual to get educated and help in the injusteces of the strogal to help other migrant workers by suppoting leaders like Cecar Chavez of the united Farmworkers Union and Baldemar Velasquez of the Farm Laber Union,I know I can depend on Hillary Clenton to help us out and put this country of USA in the right direction.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
I believe there is no way Clinton can win with the media bashing, the youth (first time voters) just jumping on the popularity band wagon that the media has made for him. She is not allowed to say anything about him, because it backfires. It’s just something that was predictable for me from the beginning. I’m from L.A. and I know what it’s like to confront black people from the O.J. trial. So many white people supported O.J. in his innocense. Of course the pressure of being racist is not there anymore since most people believe he is the scum I said he was, regardless of the white people at that time to be so proud to confront me as having a racial viewpoint for me just stating what was obvious facts. That’s what has happened to America. The media , which is the voice of America would never slander Obama. They are so much more comfortable, regardless of how absurd the allegations are to go afetr Clinton. Nobody wants to make African Americans upset. They know it and are using it to their advantage. Hilary just happened to get stuck campaigning against a black person. Regardless if she could do so much for us, white americans will support Obama regardless of what he’ll do. It’s the same predictable thing that has been happening for the past 15 yrs. Nobody wants to see the repercussions if Obama wasn’t put on a pedestal. Nobody wants to admit it and Maybe you would like to become a member of his church, if they accept white people. It’s the United Trinity Curch of Christ. Check it out. It’s much like any situation involving blacks. Picture Obama campaigning against Clinton and she is far ahead as the popular vote and any chance the media has, they attack Obama for everything he does, says and di d say. Picture the media totally blowing Obama out of the water for him signing an agreement to join the United Nations in what’s called the “Global Poverty Plan” which will cost Americans $845 BILLION if the person becomes leader of the United States. America will not chance another L.A. riot in a larger scale and neither would you. So I guess I can say thank you for thinking ahead. Being obligated to the Glaobal Poverty Plan will make America obligated to pay the $845 BILION and we would not be able to back out and what’s even more, not one penny goes to the poor in the U.S. If that is brought out now, the media will smooth it out and the blind Obamacans will not see how that will affect their chidren’s future. So I can’t stop this from happening. I guess just jump on the Obama wave of momentum. Whoopeee! Oh well.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
well wisconsin went for obama. I just want to ask you who voted for him if you heard about the Global Poverty Plan. If so, then I guess you still have conviction to vote for him. If you voted without knowing this one major issue, then my life as well as yours are in his hands. Thank you for that and thanks for not feeling it necessary to do your homework on him, because he’s ……
February 20th, 2008 at 10:56 am
I read a article posted on http://www.commondreams.org on Feb 18 ,2008 in the Capitol Times of Madison Wisconsin titled “Clinton bought Bush’s War Talk and Obama Didn’t” by Stephen Zunes.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/02/18/7120/
There are 77 comments made regarding this article posted right now and the 5th or sixth one of them is by “Duck Soup” made at Feb 18, 2008 12:58pm. There is the comparison of the legislative record of Hillary and Obama and the reference is the US Senate Record and a New York Times article from 07-29-2007
The conclusion is that Hillary passed into law 20 bills and 15 of them are things like “naming a bridge, honoring a sports team,naming a courthouse after Thurgood Marshall etc etc- pure and simple political moves- all fluff.
Then they quote the NY Times saying the Obama has written many bills dealing with healthcare, poverty,crime, economics , ethics, gun control, veterans affairs and so on.
No doubt this writer of that comment is a Obama supporter but still you get the point- are we not all sick of these political hacks who name one more postoffice and waste our time in Congress with that?
No wonder Susan Eisenhower says that she is for Obama because he is practical and patriotic like her grandfather!
February 20th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
In response to the contributor who wrote, ” She would fight for womens rights and breast cancer research. ” You are either a male or a woman who has no self worth–please, educate yourself about Hillary’s background and experience before making empty statements like this. Or this one: “as Hillary because she was the first lady she lived in the white house. Thats a good way to learn however she was on the sidelines. All of her accomplishments came from her status and her name. ” Hillary Rodham Clinton was fighting and in the trenches for many many years– She is just as well-educated as Barrack Obama, if not more, and her background and her mother’s background was one of hard work and struggle—and always helping others. She is brilliant! And I find her an inspiration. Yes, she lived in the White House, but was not your typical “first lady.”
I will vote Democratic in the fall, regardless, because I know our battle is with the GOP and not each other, but these silly nasty fights have got to stop. Obama is a wonderful speaker, but just because someone can present speeches that someone else writes –does not make that speaker a great thinker or even more imporantly a great leader. He is a great speaker–so what. He says the same things over and over– Yes, we can. We are hungry for hope. Hope is spreading. Ideas go to Washington DC to die, blah blah blah—Watch the debate tonight.
February 20th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
It is so sad that Obama has practically 100% of African Americans, and African American superdelegates are running to Obama, making the excuse that he won their districts.
The truth is that Jesse Jackson called some on it, and told them that their careers could be over if they were the reason a black man did not win the Presidency. What did they do, change pledge! This is a race about race, and Obama even mentioned civil rights as a platform last night.
Didn’t that come and go in the sixties? Come on! I find it sad that white men are supporting Obama because they feel a woman would not be a great commander in chief. Truth is, Obama wants all troops withdrawn by the end of 2009. What does that leave us? With an empty Iraq where the Jihad movement will simmer until it explodes back at us?
Also, Imagine Barrack Obama on the steps of the Capital, being sworn in with his “un-proud” wife by his side, “I Barrack HUSSEIN Obama do solemnly swear…” We ousted one Hussein, why put one in our White House?
Men who vote for Obama because they don’t want a female President are liars to the one’s who nurture them the most. Those of you who say to your daughters that they can be anything they put their minds to are liars because they are voting on the basis of gender, and preventing a woman from proving she can make a true change. Black or white, give a woman a try.
Texas, VOTE SMART, don’t follow a movement, we all know movements disband. Follow experience. Not even Obama’s own supporter could tell the media about one of his legislative accomplishments, that’s sad. Obama even piggy-backed in his victory speech off of Hillary Clinton when he said he would provide the same health care that the Senators have. Obviously this man has no original ideas.
Texas, Pennsylvania and Ohio, it’s your turn to tell America enough is enough with this movement of false hope. Support Hillary Clinton, the real candidate.
February 20th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Shril had one policy assignment in eight years and she botched it. She flunked the first Bar exam she took. Her husband was president, what did yours do? Vote for her and deserve what you get.
February 20th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Obama IS a great speaker. I believe that he is a great man. But he is reminicent os Jimmy Carter who also won the election after an uptick of momentum and great ideas got him there. I voted for him in my first presidential election! However, words and inspiration didn’t stand up to the politics of Washington. Though he had great ideals, he was a lame duck president because politics require strategy. Obama is the same. Great speaker, young, inspirational, but not ready for prime time. Hillary has my vote.
February 20th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Dems are stupid if they elect a non performer Obama with a zero. He is a priest and not a politician. His wife never was proud of America till she said that yesterday..How can we trust him and wife in White ( sorry Black ) House?
February 21st, 2008 at 1:54 am
Sorry but I’m not voting for Obama until someone tells me who this guy really is. Where did he come from? Only way he could have gotten to where he is now is with powerful friends and connections. Be careful what you are voting for because he looks too much like a Manchurian Candidate for me.
Even though I don’t agree with Hillary on a lot of things at least I know who she is, where she came from, and who is behind her.. and more importantly that she has been proud of America ALL of her adult life unlike someone else we know.
February 21st, 2008 at 8:12 am
Everyone, just as Obama is begging people to poll for him, don’t forget to drag your loved ones out to vote for Hillary.
He knows he is at loss, and this whole mess about him being the presumptive leader so far is outlandish.
The sad thing is that if the delegates from Florida and Michigan get seated, Hillary will have an advantage over Obama.
The Obama camp doesnt want those deligates seated because they “broke the rules.” HOWEVER, he would sing a different song if he won the states. Hillary and Obama were on the ballot in Florida and she won hands down, also, NO ONE asked him or Edwards to remove their names from the Michigan ballot, that was not part of the DNC rules, they did it to look “responsible.”
One fact has not been raised much by the media about seating delegates and it is that Obama and Edwards ASKED their supporters to vote uncommitted, which is what they did in Michigan, and Hillary Clinton still won. Asking supporters to vote uncommitted sounds like campaigning to me MR OBAMA, So to say now, while you are ahead Obama, that those voters broke the rules (which their Republican lawmakers actually did, not the Democrats) is hipocrisy because those delegates would take away your lead.
Let’s fight on for the right choice and for the Michigan and Florida votes to count. Texas is a great state, and Texans do everything BIG (I am from California), let’s defeat Obama the Texas way, as we did here in California, by BIG numbers!!!
February 21st, 2008 at 1:36 pm
i am more confused than ever, i voted early on tuesday Feb 19th so now i’m hearing this about the caucus, does this mean i go back to my voting place and vote again on march 4th? can someone please email to to explain what i’m supposed to do i have never heard of voting twice but according to the paper today here in texas we can…. so just what happens with my vote this past tuesday?
February 21st, 2008 at 6:24 pm
I too am surprised to hear that we can vote again, but apparently in Texas, you return to your precinct on March 4 at 7:15 p.m. to vote in the Caucus (after the polls close). This is how forty-something delegates are pledged to a certain candidate. You can’t vote early and then again at the regular election primary - you have to vote in the Caucus after the polls close on Mar. 4. You also have to show that you have already voted in the primary so save the blue registration sheet they gave you. Hope that helps.
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:35 am
Did you guys watch the debates?? I’m wondering how a guy who can’t even win any debate over a woman can rule a country???
Yes, you can. Yes you can. What can you do? I’m seriously confused.
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Obama has experience and good judgment. He voted against the war and predicted everything that has happened.
Let’s take a closer look at who’s really qualified and or who’s really working for the good of all of us in the Senate. Obama or Clinton.
Senator Clinton, who has served only one full term - 6yrs. - and another year campaigning, has managed to author and pass into law - 20 - twenty pieces of legislation in her first six years.
These bills can be found on the website of the Library of Congress http://www.thomas.loc.gov, but to save you trouble, I’ll post them here for you.
1. Establish the Kate Mullany National Historic Site.
2. Support the goals and ideals of Better Hearing and Speech Month.
3. Recognize the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
4. Name courthouse after Thurgood Marshall.
5. Name courthouse after James L. Watson.
6. Name post office after Jonn A. O’Shea.
7. Designate Aug. 7, 2003, as National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
8. Support the goals and ideals of National Purple Heart Recognition Day.
9. Honor the life and legacy of Alexander Hamilton on the bicentennial of his death.
10. Congratulate the Syracuse Univ. Orange Men’s Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
11. Congratulate the Le Moyne College Dolphins Men’s Lacrosse Team on winning the championship.
12. Establish the 225th Anniversary of the American Revolution Commemorative Program.
13. Name post office after Sergeant Riayan A. Tejeda.
14. Honor Shirley Chisholm for her service to the nation and express condolences on her death.
15. Honor John J. Downing, Brian Fahey, and Harry Ford, firefighters who lost their lives on duty. Only five of Clinton’s bills are, more substantive. 16. Extend period of unemployment assistance to victims of 9/11.
17. Pay for city projects in response to 9/11 18. Assist landmine victims in other countries.
19. Assist family caregivers in accessing affordable respite care.
20. Designate part of the National Forest System in Puerto Rico as protected in the wilderness preservation system.
Only five of Clinton’s bills are more substantive:
16. Extend period of unemployment assistance to victims of 9/11.
17. Pay for city projects in response to 9/11
18. Assist landmine victims in other countries.
19. Assist family caregivers in accessing affordable respite care.
20. Designate part of the National Forest System in Puerto Rico as protected in the wilderness preservation system.
There you have it. The facts straight from the Senate Records.
Now, I would post those of Obama’s, but the list is too substantive, so I’ll mainly categorize.
During the first - 8 - eight years of his elected service he sponsored over 820 bills. He introduced
233 regarding healthcare reform,
125 on poverty and public assistance,
112 crime fighting bills,
97 economic bills,
60 human rights and anti-discrimination bills,
21 ethics reform bills,
15 gun control,
6 veterans affairs and many others.
His first year in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 bills and co-sponsored another 427. These inculded **the Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 - became law, **The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act, - became law, **The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, passed the Senate, **The 2007 Government Ethics Bill, - became law, **The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill, In committee, and many more.
In all, since entering the U.S. Senate, Senator Obama has written 890 bills and co-sponsored another 1096.
An impressive record, for someone who supposedly has no record according to some who would prefer that this comparison not be made public.
He’s not just a talker.
He’s a doer.
http://jessicafertitta.com/2008/02/19/viva-obama-video-by-amigos-de-obama/
http://www.sodahead.com/poll/16816/?link=HillaryObama_GoogleCPA_Sq5&gclid=CObwq_mY1JECFQgogwod_XXiaw
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:21 pm
It’s simple. Do you want real change or the status quo of how washington has been run for decades? It’s obvious that Senator is a uniter. He’s winning in all demographics. He’s even captured the hearts of everyone around the globe. There were people from Canada where I grew up (Vancouver) that drove to Seattle just to see this man that everyone is talking about.
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Just ask yourselves. Do I want more of this?
http://www.therant.us/staff/swirsky/03132006.htm
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:23 pm
To: slplsncc
If you’re in texas, you can’t just vote in a caucus without first voting in the primary. You’re lucky as you get to vote twice.
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Lori - You are completely wrong. Obama has a 10 point lead in winning the general election and Clinton. If you want a republican in office again, then vote for Clinton.
February 22nd, 2008 at 11:28 pm
If the polls are showing that McCain has a better chance of beating Clinton than Obama in the final election, why are Republicans from your show and others encouraging Republican voters to vote for Obama in the primaries? If we want McCain to win, shouldn’t we be telling Republican voters to vote for Clinton so that she ends up being the nominee and we can clobber her in the November election?? Please explain!!
February 23rd, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Just excited all of the interest in this election. Free Speech, the availability of this open forum and the desire to take part in our Government
is truely the reason why I like Michelle Obama
am “really” proud of this Country. One thought
Obama is really the only candidate who will have
the ability and humility to cross party lines to “Change our Broken Government” Clinton is
and was a real fire storm, but all smoke with a
tendency to “Fight” rather than work out differences. Now McCain supporters have you
considered with our Military Man Power already
strecthed will he be asking our young men and women to sign up or will he be demanded it?Most of you were born after the “Draft”. He wants to stay in Irag 100 years. We are losing our
troops at a rate of 5-30 a day. The advocates for
the war either dodged their draft, got sick and had their heart fixed, or are to old to go back. Please consider our choices. A man with a young
strong political record, A women with a long history of divisive family, and political life. One who has no problem boasting about her husbands succeses in Politic. After all she was in the arena for all of those years. But when it comes to Ohio and her husbands record on NAFTA she wants to distance herself from it. She would love it if it was going good. God knows what a little old booga John McCain is.
Yes I believe his campaign went all the way back to the 2000 New York Times Scam to
rally his Base around him. He is truely”OLD
SCHOOL”. Luv u all. Grandma Charlee. The main thing is you are thinking and talking and learning.
God Bless America, Obama and most of all You.
February 23rd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Here is a good site for comparing the experience of Clinton and Obama. Warning: Lots of detail.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2/20/201332/807/36/458633
February 23rd, 2008 at 4:54 pm
When Obama Fever calms down and we are facing a sobering November, experience will play a key role in the general election.
When we have the Dem Nominee, the real vetting process by the national media will begin and the RNC will get to work as well. Up until now, the national media is guilty of standing by, seeming more like Reality Show Judges instead of responsible journalists, eager to keep this thing going for months. Even the promos to the debates have an American Idol/Dancing with the Stars feel to them, as if this is a popularity contest we are voting for. The sixties are gone- we can’t go back in time. Obama as an agent of change? Is it Change or Nostalgia? I think he is attractive to some of the baby boomers, who in the midst of mid-life crisis wish to go back to their college days. And to the college students of today, he reminds them of the sixties- peace, love, idealism,etc–an era they missed.
February 24th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
OK - you can attack this all you want because I will not be coming back to see your responses - I am a black man from Oakland California - let me tel l you its the Clintons with a small office in the neighborhood trying to make us better - Bill Clinton and Brad Pitt are in New Orleans trying to restore the black community - just recently both Obama and Clinton were asked to speak to assist in rasing awareness to New Orleans - Obama was too busy in the heart of his campaign - guess who agreed - and she did not even get the vote in New Orleans = I want my brothers and sisters in TEXAS to wake up and smell the roses - the HOPE that you think you are going to get would not be free - you have to work at it like anyone else - and trust me - great words do not action make if you have to fight all those in Congress around you.
THINK my brothers and sisters - WHO WILL REALLY HELP YOU.
February 24th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Hillary Clinton has my vote here in Texas!
February 24th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
GO HILLARY! WE BELIEVE IN YOU!MAKE IT HAPPEN!!
February 25th, 2008 at 4:07 am
arent people sick of preaching and speeches yet???
I got enough of that with Bush! Im ready for someone to take action! go hillary!!!!
February 25th, 2008 at 9:43 am
It is clear that Hillary is not “ready on Day One.” She has run a terrible campaign…picked loyalists over competence (like Bush) and stuck with a losing strategy and sticking to it like glue (like Bush in Iraq). She claims she can fix our economy…look at how she has spent the campaign dollars. So much waste. Relying on loyalists, insular people who frankly, appear arrogant or just plain stupid. Embarrassed donors are asking how did this happen? She’s supposed to run a tight ship…will she run the Oval Office like that? Thankfully we won’t have to find out the answer to that. GO OBAMA.
February 25th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
There is an underground Republican campaign for Hillary in Texas. Many Republicans are going to vote for Hillary in the primary to make sure she wins this state. It will keep the Democrats divided even longer. By the way, if Obama can’t even “unite” the Democratic party, how is he supposed to convince Republican Americans to unite with him? There will be no unity. I promise you that.
February 27th, 2008 at 12:50 am
Fear of one another will lead us nowhere but a crumbling economy, isolation from the rest of the world and a wider gap among classes. Let us not forget that we are a Nation of immigrants and without our multi-cultural, multi-religious, multi-ethnic backgrounds, the USA would have never been as strong as it is now. We are one nation of the USA…Let us not miss this unique chance to vote for, Barak Obama, an extremely intelligent, ambitious, very well educated hardworking candidate who has dedicated half of his lifetime to helping the very people who have been forgotten through years of negligence and governmental incompetence and corruption.
I have no doubt in my mind that Barak Obama has the experience, the will and the vision to restore the World’s respect to the USA not by show of force, arrogance and senseless wars that are tearing our Nation apart. I am voting for OBAMA because he has been candid from the beginning about how important for all Americans to be involved in his political endeavor to restoring the rule of law, the US leadership in Science and technological R&D through strong, sound and affordable Education for all. I am voting for Sen. OBAMA because he will be serving the American people not Lobbyists. Just check on his campaign contributors; that is a clear indicator that he is for the people by the people of the USofA….Please, VOTE for OBAMA!
February 27th, 2008 at 1:07 am
Hillary has my vote. I am so happy she told Tim Tonight that they have been asking her questions first. Everyone knows what she was talking about. They ask her and then Obama just says the same thing (copies) in a poetic way and adds one thing and he looks good, meanwhile its her answer. He is a nice man. BUT he does not have the experience. The republicans will eat him alive. He does not know that there are certain things you just don’t do as a president. His answer that he would meet with Cuba with no plans on the table was just pain stupid. Inexperience stupid. If someone had said, “ all blacks should burn to death”, and then they indorsed him, would he have said well I cant do anything if the man wants to say that I am a nice man? What is he talking about? That’s where he lacks experience. Someone that has said, that Israel should burn and then endorsed Obama, Obama should have come out right away and said I DO NOT WANT YOUR ENDORCEMENT. He will be a good president maybe in 8 years. Right now with all the mess that Bush has put us in we need an experience leader. A LEADER not a follower. Obama is not a leader. He can follow and learn fast. That makes him smart but he is lacking experience.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:05 am
Hillary, “THE LEADER”, voted for the war at the request of lobbyists….OBAMA, the, so called, non-experienced and accused to be “THE FOLLOWER” had the guts and courage to vote against the war and has been firmly outspoken about the consequences in getting into this mess. That’s leadership!
Hillary, “THE EXPERIENCED!” did not see this coming??? What will she tell the American families who lost their loved ones??? if I knew then what I know now???
When the American people turned against the war, suddenly, she had nothing to do with it. Hmmm! Experience…..Judgement…this make us all re-think .
My vote is for OBAMA who has proven good judgement and executive decision making against all odds. He has set his priorities very clearely; that is, to work with both sides of the congress, to make sure healthcare is not only universal but also affordable to everybody, to look at the World from a broader perspective in order to make the best foreign policy judgements for the best interests of the USA and stay away from special interest groups who will never care about the rest of us, ordinary and hardworking people.
America, we cannot afford another 4 years of G.W.B.-like politics.
February 28th, 2008 at 1:03 am
I have been Obamasized! It began at the democratic convention of 2004 when Barack Obama gave the closing speech at their convention. I made a metal note WOW, this was an extremely intelligent and articulate young man and a Democrat at that.
Two years ago my son brought home a book that Senator Obama had written, that had left my son saying he thought this was better than the Howard Zinn books he had been reading,,,, there it was Obama again.
Still I dismissed him thinking that while I believe America could handle a black man as president…I was sure of that they would not allow a Muslim given the political climate where the Muslim world was being condemned for the sins of a very few of their radical sons.
I was soon shown the arrogance of my racial ignorance as well as the efforts of the bigots to paint that picture to the American people! When I started looking harder and found this Christian, Harvard/Columbian educated was a Constitutionalist! I started to investigate his voting records, I looked at his accomplishments and his projects, I then started listening to his campaign and observing what mud they could throw at him.
I was amazed nothing could be dug up. I listened to where he wants to aim the tax burden towards, where he wants health care to be paid from, what he wants our trade laws to reflect, how he wants to communicate to the rest of world, how he wants to pursue the war on terrorism, where he stands on illegal aliens. By the time I got done I knew that for the first time since Hubert Humphrey I am going to show that I am really the independent voter I have always professed to be by voting Democratic!
So excuse me Hilary, as much as we all know how badly you wanted to be president, but there is actually a Democrat ready and on the road to destiny…so as the song goes shut up sit down and DO THE RIGHT THING “STEP DOWN”!
I like a majority of AMERICANS are waking up to becoming OBAMAIANS!
February 28th, 2008 at 4:44 am
I would vot for Obama as Hillary’s running mate. I think he could learn a lot from her and be ready or the helm in about 8 years. Hillary is the one.
February 28th, 2008 at 6:22 am
Thanks for explaining “caucus”/primary in Texas to me. I am a crossover from independence. There obviously enough ways for the result to be manipulated so it does not reflect the “will” of the people. I am on pins and needles, our collective “will” will not prevail. Thus as we promote democracy in the world, we will not have it here.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Jessica, (02/14/08)
What is wrong w/fighting for women’s rights and breast cancer reserach?
Just curious!!!
February 28th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Vote OBAMA. The best for America.
February 29th, 2008 at 7:40 am
“So Clinton’s criticism seems an opportune moment to ask how Patrick’s inspirational rhetoric has translated into governing a state where Democrats control both houses of the legislature—the likely scenario for Obama, too, should he take office. Patrick’s governorship is the closest thing we have to a preview of the “politics of hope”—and that governorship has been a failure to date.”
http://www.city-journal.org/2008/eon0225fs.html
February 29th, 2008 at 7:43 am
* Barack’s entire record of state legislation that he touts now was done in his first year as a state senator, so that he could have some record when he wanted to run for higher office, immediately. But he lost a Congressional run in 2000 because he was like four years old.
* Then, in 2002, black Democrats took over the state legislature and were led by the powerful Majority Leader Emil Jones Jr. (“a gravel-voiced, dark-skinned African-American known for chain-smoking cigarettes on the Senate floor”). Since Jones was powerful and black, Barack — and this has been reported before — asked Jones to make him a U.S. Senator. “I’m gonna make me a U.S. Senator,” Jones said to a friend.
* Jones “appointed Obama sponsor of virtually every high-profile piece of legislation, angering many rank-and-file state legislators who had more seniority than Obama and had spent years championing the bills.” And then Jones “further helped raise Obama’s profile by having him craft legislation addressing the day-to-day tragedies that dominated local news headlines.” What didn’t Jones do? Is Barack Obama just a hologram of this “Jones”?
* Then Obama ignored black community issues in his district, to avoid being the black candidate, which some Clintons still think he is. “Obama’s aloofness on key community issues for years frustrated Lucas and many other South Siders. Now they believe he was just afraid of making political enemies or being pigeonholed as a black candidate.”
* Barack only won his Senate seat in 1996 by finding petty flaws in the other candidates petitions — HE PULLED A HARVARD ON THE COMMON FOLKS.
* In 2004, the article’s author profiled Barack Obama and included many complaints from other black politicians in the state legislature, about Barack’s cheating record.
* Then, the climax: Obama YELLED AT THIS REPORTER ON THE PHONE, ANGRILY. Because of this, we have an article today that Wonkette can nicely summarize in bullet points.
http://www.houstonpress.com/2008-02-28/news/barack-obama-screamed-at-me/1#comments
An abbreviated version is here if you don’t want to read the whole article:
http://wonkette.com/361542/barack-obamas-dastardly-rage-and-corruption-revealed
Another insight into this article:
http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/2/28/155614/311
February 29th, 2008 at 11:01 am
I read the rules about ex-felons in TX are allowed to vote IF they’ve completed probation etc….is this true? I always thought they were allowed to vote at all….could you explain the rules for ex-felons voting?
February 29th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
If I vote on election day, must I go back to the polls?
March 1st, 2008 at 1:12 am
Yes, you are correct. An ex-felon CAN vote in TX if probation/parole has been completed.
March 1st, 2008 at 7:58 am
This is a letter from my friend in Iraq. As to the big media..They are setting back and laughing at you, yes all of the American public, because they think they can pick your next President for you, They have done it for years..This is the same folks who just decided to let Little George Bush off the hook for grievous offenses like a serious drug indulgence in school, Like where did the oil exploration money he blew and lost in the 80’s come from?….They just let him get away with saying he was not going to talk about it..If Clinton had done that the press would have unearthed his childhood home and examined it with q-tips and tweezers till they got their evidence.
The political machine, for reasons yet unknown, seems programmed to facilitate the demise of the USA. This, I think just may do it.
Our strategy is we are going to vote for Hillary twice here.
For God’s sake, he would not even honor our flag! This is absolutely the truth!
Now ask yourself..Why is the media white washing him???
Clue: Follow the money
Please continue to tell everyone you know and ask them to spread it as quickly as possible to everyone they know. This is the most serious thing I can think of. You may, if you like use my description. You have my permission to use my email traffic. Please keep my name and email address confidential.
To make matters worse the WWW connection I pay for over here keeps going in and out so I never know if this is going out or not. I do not like to use my company email to send my editorials out.
March 1st, 2008 at 11:10 am
The Republican Party is in a well deserved shambles after the disgrace that George W. Bush has brought to his party and our country. There is a strong likelihood of a Democratic president this time. Hillary inspires so much hatred among the right wing and many independents that I am afraid she is the only democrat who could conceivably lose this election. The Republican base doesn’t even like McCain but even those who hate him would turn out to vote for him over Clinton. Obama can win and we will be spared another 4 to 8 years of non-stop Clinton bashing. Perhaps the government can actually accomplish something.
March 2nd, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Regarding Obama’s experience, please take five minutes to review this entry from the
Daily Kos. It is very interesting and shows that Obama has indeed been a more effective legislator than Clinton. Hillary is indeed a fighter and smart as a whip, but this research shows that Obama will most likely be more effective in getting things done in Washington.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2/20/201332/807/36/458633
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:14 pm
We need Hillary Clinton for commander in chief of this country. George Bush is leaving us in a mess and Hillary knows the ropes in Washington. At this point in time, we need someone that can go to work one day one. Obama will no doubt make a good president someday (perhaps in 8 years) but for now we need experience in the White HOuse. As Hillary has said before, “It took a Clinton to clean up after the first Bush and it will take a Clinton to clean up after the second one.
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:40 pm
A highly influential tech blog today posted on someone supporting one of the candidates. I ask you all out there—do we really need to know how Paris Hilton or Sean Penn or Judge Judy are going to vote so we can gain some guidance from them? Anyway, the comments from these readers are very engaging and talk candidly about both democratic candidates as well as John McCain. Good luck tomorrow!!
http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/03/marc-andreessen-for-obama/#comments
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Our country faces monumental national problems as well as unstable global ones (terrorism, civil wars, poverty). We need a leader who has experience. I like all 3 candidates including McCain. Obama may make a good president down the road but what great orators with weak experience in my opinion do not qualify to be granted the most important and powerful position in the world. I typically vote democrat but can also be considered an independent (ie: i love Arnold - gov of CA). I think Hilary is the best candidate for this most important office and while she is human like the rest of us, she has devoted her entire life to public office. I think McCain is better than Obama due to his the junior senator’s lack of meaningful executive experience and utter lack of foreign policy experience. If Obama wins the primary, I will vote for McCain. I will not mesmerized by the Obama rethoric and Kool-aid drinking crowd that has joined his bandwagon.
March 4th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Does anyone else think this allocation of delegates (vote, then caucus, then send in the super delegates) in the Democratic party is about as absurd as the Electoral College?
When I get to be King, this is how it will be:
Texas Democrats get 168 delegates, say.
EITHER:
1) WINNER TAKES ALL: Mr. Obama receives 53% of the popular vote in the primary and Mrs. Clinton receives 47%. Mr. Obama got the most votes, so he gets all 168 delegates at the convention.
-or-
2) THE VOTES ARE PROPORTIONED: Mr. Obama gets 53% of the popular vote, so he gets 53% of the delegates, or 89. Mrs. Clinton gets 47% of the popular vote, so she gets 47% of the delegates, or 79.
March 4th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
I do believe that we need to modify this “Texas two step” procedure. People like my sister, a single parent, have to get a baby-sitter in order to make their first vote count. Clearly the caucus procedure ensures that the politically powerful are able to sway 25% of the delegates.
Although this has not been an issue in the past, Texas is growing and clearly has become important in this particular election. As Democrats, we need to make our FIRST vote count and eliminate the need to return to the precinct.
Wishing you simply the best….DD
March 5th, 2008 at 12:11 am
For those of you who are voting for Hilary, that’s cool; but know this, they want her to win you idiots. Look at the turn out for the republicans versus the democratic turn out. Doesn’t that strike you as odd? Hell, Rush Limbaugh even encouraged radical republicans to vote for Hilary because they know it will be easier to beat her. Don’t get me wrong, I like Hilary, but I promise you, if she is the nominee, we will once again have a republican in office. Further more, I know that we are all for this women’s live thing, and that is pretty damn awesome, however, other countries don’t see it that way and those who don’t respect us will definetly not respect us even more. So go ahead play their game and give them what they want. And for those of you who are undecided, let’s keep it real, you were not going to vote for him any way because he’s black. And that’s your perogative; but please don’t insult me by talking about experience because she has no more experience than he does. Period! Bottom line, at 3 am if the phone rings at the white house and there’s a national terror thing going on, she’s going to call on her brilliant advisors as ALL presidents do. You can’t believe for one second that one person makes the decisions do you? Give me a break. Again, you were never going to vote for him anyway. Finally, for those of you who are African Americans talking about “change ain’t always good, we wanna go back to the Clinton years. just because he’s black don’t mean he’s our savior.” You know feeding off of what Clinton said when she’s speaking in front of her supporters about the sky opening up. In response to that I say, stop acting like Hilary and Bill are the “Great White Hope” sent to save us because it ain’t happening. Regardless of who wins, you have to do your part and stop letting the lobbyist do it for you. But you will see when she’s there, and you will be like, damn, shoulda, coulda, woulda.
peace!
March 5th, 2008 at 3:43 am
Well, way to go Texas, you helped Clinton win the state (at least the primary portion), however, to you that say that Obama does not have the experience, you are listening to the lies of the Clinton camp. Obama worked hard to get to where he is, Hillary didn’t. Obama went to Harvard, but it wasn’t easy to get there, he had to struggle to pay his way through. He is smart, and he is ready to be commander in chief. He does not have the “experience” by being in Washington long enough, but that is a good thing. Clinton, McCain and others who have been in Washington all this time have been seasoned to corruption. Obama will still prevail with the most delegates in the end. He has a better chance against McCain than Clinton.
March 6th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Are you crazy??? Jimmy Carter wasn’t a LAME DUCK president, he made PEACE between Egypt and Israel! He is the ONLY president who was able to achieve peace in the middle east between 2 very powerful countries!! Can you imagine Egypt and Israel still fighting today?? The peace deal that was brokered between them is still in Effect today, almost 27 years after the fact!!
Just because he didn’t start any wars doesn’t mean he is a lame duck!! This is EXACTLY what we hope Barrack can accomplish! Peace!
Isn’t that what we are looking for??
Carter was the only president who understood how to handle delicate situations in the middle east, and it WASN’T done through the barrel of a gun!
Please, do yourself a favor and go read some history.
Deb // Feb 20, 2008 at 9:39 pm wrote:
“I believe that he is a great man. But he is reminicent os Jimmy Carter who also won the election after an uptick of momentum and great ideas got him there. I voted for him in my first presidential election! However, words and inspiration didn’t stand up to the politics of Washington. Though he had great ideals, he was a lame duck president because politics require strategy.”
March 9th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
We all tend to have short memories and to believe everything we see on TV, hear on the radio, or read in the newspaper; the Media, that is…..
- They say, Obama does not honor the American Flag! It turned out to be a blunder, a flat lie and a distortion of Senator Obama’s character and patriotism.
- They say, Obama does not have experience. Well! I got news for everyone:
Obama has served by far many more years as an elected official than Senator Clinton.
The American people don’t know that Barack Obama was working his tail off to make changes in the American people’s detriorating daily lives and sponsored legislations where some passed and some fell through the cracks which could have made a big difference. Let’s also remember, that was during the Bush-seven-year Era under the shadow of the Republican Majority Senate and congress umbrella. At that time, Hillary was strengthening her ties with special interest groups who are only interested in setting their own political agendas. In the latter, there is no question that Hillary has more experience….
3. In February 2006, Hillary was telling the American people that politicians ought not use scary tactics as a ticket to get high up in office….Guess what! she has just used this same tactic against a fellow Democrat, Barak Obama, to win over the Texas and Ohio primaries.
Hillary has and is still flip flopping on major decisions that are affecting us, the American people. Republicans can’t wait for her to be nominated. They have a very long list…..
Hillary will only follow through with old politics of special interest groups……
I do trust Barack Obama, with all my heart and mind, to make the right decisions and judgement for our interests, the American people, when we desperately need them.
OBAMA inspires us all, he has vision, He is down to earth and a people’s person, with his bold leadership, he will take the USA to the next level . We will finally be able to loudly say, ” I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN”!!!
He is above all the lies and false accusations from either some “Democrats” or all Neo-Cons. Republicans.
MORE POWER TO YOU OBAMA!!
March 10th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Vanesa (02/29),
A convicted felon cannot ever vote again even if probation has been completed.
May 12th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Hey Jessica! What do you have agianst breast cancer research??!! My grandmother died of breast cancer! And as for obamas chance of winning, I doubt it because this country is not ready for a black president.