I called this clambake for TEXAS over a year ago... (re: John McCain)

[derby378]

Back in January of last year, I said that the outcome of the 2008 Presidential election may come down to a showdown in Texas.

In light of the recent revelations concerning John McCain's alleged trysts with Vicki Iseman, how ya like me now?

Let's recap. Texas has the second largest amount of electoral votes - as of 2004, they had 34 votes in the Electoral College, winner take all. Only California, with 55 votes, commands more of a presence in the College than Texas does. The last time Texas cast its votes for a Democratic candidate was in 1976, when Jimmy Carter garnered 26 electoral votes from Texas.

Since the ascent of Ronald Reagan, Texas has largely been written off as a Republican stronghold - the Governor's mansion has been firmly in Republican hands since 1994, and a highly controversial redistricting ploy in 2003 (masterminded by ex-Congressman Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land) whittled away at the number of Democratic Representatives from Texas on Capitol Hill. Then came Cindy Sheehan's peace vigil at Crawford outside Bush's mini-ranchette in 2005 and (as of August 2006) an estimated 220,000 Katrina evacuees still living in Texas, with 150,000 of them just in the Houston area, further complicating Republican efforts to keep the 22nd Congressional District (DeLay's former district) in Republican hands. Now the seat is held by Democrat Nick Lampson. And Ciro Rodriguez took the 23rd Congressional District from Republican incumbent Henry Bonilla in 2006.

And now, boys and girls, if the Vicki Iseman allegations surrounding McCain keep gaining traction, how many Texas Republicans do you think are going to vote for Mike Huckabee instead? If by some miracle Huckabee wins the GOP nomination in the mother of all "Hail Mary" scenarios, what sort of traction do you think he'll make against the Democratic nominee in Texas? And if McCain gets the nomination anyway, how many Texas Republicans do you think are going to sit this election out in order to punish the GOP for giving them such a lackluster Presidential nominee?

Democratic fortunes in Texas haven't looked this bright in over 30 years. I suggest that Democrats all over America give all due support to their colleagues in the Lone Star State to seal the deal once and for all and deliver Texas' Electoral College votes to the Democratic nominee once and for all. Carpe Diem.

God Bless Texas, Y'all. :hi:

[babylonsister]

1. Wow. You're prescient! I hope you're right, and you have my full support!

:hi:

[derby378]

5. Until the last vote is counted and we're too pooped to shout for joy...

Let's do this thing! :hi:

[Lint Head]

2. It's only now politically desirable for the conservatives

that dislike McCain to bring this out. :dem:

[derby378]

6. And, as we have seen, they are legion

I don't think it's necessarily wise for Obama to target this unless further information corroborating the NYT allegations comes forth. Maybe the best thing for him to do is sit back and let the Texas and Ohio Republicans snipe at each other for next two weeks.

[Flabbergasted]

3. KR

[BeatleBoot]

4. Republicans only hope...

[derby378]

7. Boy, that cartoon is surreal...

Reminds me of that "Republicans for Obama" sign I saw on the news coverage of Obama's Dallas rally today. Who knows?

[BeatleBoot]

8. Ya' think?

Our party is about to become a laughing stock.

Unless things change.

[derby378]

9. Li'l bitty kick!

[seabeyond]

10. i have gotten three calls from obama, hubby 1 for obama one for hillary.... obama

people are kicking ass here and working hard in the panhandle of texas, amarillo, getting volunteers and making sure we vote twice, in the primary and the caucus ( i am thinkin, getta get more info)

[derby378]

11. I got one call from Obama folks, one call for Clinton folks

They probably want an endorsement because I'm a precinct chair, but despite my own preference, I want to be fair and impartial to all parties for the sake of my fellow Democrats in the precinct.

I'll be happy to plant campaign signs for both of them at the polling place, though. Mike Gravel, too, if there's any supporters of his in my neck of the woods who have signs to spare.