Quite a turnout for Clinton in Corpus Christi area

[susanr516]

Over 7000 people at the fairgrounds arena in Robstown, and over 1000 others turned away.

Looks like S Texas is strongly supporting Hillary.

[cosmik debris]

1. She is advertising heavily on the Waco TV stations.

I still haven't seen any Obama ads, but he is opening an office here.

[sonias]

2. Hey I'm happy that people are fired up

It's good to see people engaged again and not being taken for granted this election year. It's been decades since Texas was important in an election other than being an ATM. I think the Obama camp knows Hillary's strength is in S. Texas. She is well known and respected there.

I wouldn't count Obama out of this race however, because it's not all about what happens on March 4th, the caucuses count too. And if you look at how the delegates were allocated based on the voter strength in 2004, the urban areas have more weight. And the urban areas are moving to Obama. Hillary can win big in S. Texas and still not get the 60% + she's going to need to get back in the race.

Go take a look at this very detailed projection post from Election Inspection and look at that scenario. They have her winning those heavy Latino South Texas Senate Districts 3-1. But because of their lower turnouts in 2004, their alloted delegates will not compensate for the urban areas. They project a 98-95 split with Obama winning.

I just hope that those voters coming out for the primary, stay engaged and come back in November.

I pledge to support the party nominee in November - whoever it is.

But for the primary - I am voting for Obama.

Sonia

[susanr516]

3. Voter turnout is always a problem

in S Texas, especially with minorities. Those of us who have been involved in grassroots gotv for a while were looking at the lines yesterday--somebody joked that this visit alone would increase turnout in the Democratic primary by 3 to 5 points. We laughed, but that may well be the case.

So many in S Texas are living below the poverty level--it's tough to get them to vote when all their time and energy is consumed just trying to survive. Voting isn't even on their top ten list of priorities. Fortunately, once they invest a day of their lives to go see a candidate, they are much more likely to take a few more minutes to vote when they have the chance. Both candidates are running ads down here, and our voters are excited--it's all good!

[Yanez Houston Jordan]

4. I think voter turnout in South Texas is more a general election problem than a primary problem.

South Texas is usually well represented in the primary vote, but those Hidalgo, Cameron, and Nueces Democrats seem less inclined to show up in November (especially those Hidalgo Democrats).

I think part of the problem in Hidalgo County is that it is so overwhelmingly Democratic that many of the meat-and-potatoes races (like sheriff and other county-wide offices) don't draw Republican opposition so for those races, the primary is the "real" election to many South Texas voters. We need to do something to keep those South Texas voters more heavily invested in the process through November.

I think we'll get a record primary turnout across Texas. I'm just praying that we can get all our primary voters from every region to show up again in November.

[sonias]

6. I agree

The Democratic primary is the election for heavily Democratic areas. But I am hopeful that they see the opportunity to kick out the Republicans from the White House equally as important in November. We have to have the follow through vote in Nov. Plus there are some contested elections in Nov. My understanding is that there are some Texas House members with R opponents. We have to nip that now while we have the opportunity.

As far as engaging the electorate - we have ignored our own Democratic base for too long here in Texas. We're rebuilding the party from the grassroots up, and that's what is needed. All politics is local. Our elected officials in the Valley have to keep putting on events even in presidential-off election years. We need candidate training and we need to have contested primaries so that everyone knows if your elected official isn't representing you - kick him out!

Sonia

[Ilsa]

5. I heard she was going to be at Whataburger Field. I seriously

considered driving from Victoria, but it is a two hour trip, and my kids get home from school at 3pm. Wish I could have gone. Robstown would be too far.

[Yanez Houston Jordan]

7. An event at Wataburger Field would have been awesome! An event in Robstown? Not so awesome...