This is brilliant news --- Texas reaches record numbers of registered voters

[Hutzpa]

Wonder what this could mean for Team Obama.

Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade today announced Texas reached a record number of registered voters on the Official List of Registered Voters. As of Monday, October 15, there are currently 13,594,264 voters on the list, the highest in state history. This number will likely increase once all the voter registration applications submitted by October 9, 2012 are processed. Tuesday, October 9 was the last day to register to vote in the November 6, 2012 General Election.

http://www.sos.state.tx.us/about/newsreleases/2012/101512.shtml



FORWARD! Texas

Obamanos!

[nc4bo]

1. Very interesting.....

I'll put my optimistic hat on until someone pops it off

[LisaL]

2. I am not sure what is it you are optimistic about?

Large number of republicans voting for Romney?

[Hutzpa]

4. Why would you assume it's a large number of republicans? n/t

[LisaL]

7. What else am I supposed to assume?

It's red on all the electoral maps. You have to be delusional to assume otherwise.

[klook]

13. Number of Latino voters in Texas on the rise

See this: Could Latino Voters Turn Deep-Red Texas Democratic by 2020?

[LisaL]

21. That might be so, but how many are eligible to vote?

[Hutzpa]

31. This is were I'll say to you upeople need to use their common sense

using Joe Biden's expression, if your dejection is based on past polling average by MSM because they're too lazy to do the work in Texas, then whose to blame?

[LisaL]

35. I am using my common sense.

I have no clue as to how it makes any sense to be happy about record number of voters registered in TX, of all places.

[Qutzupalotl]

52. Higher latino turnout is good for Dems.

The demographics are changing. A few more house seats here and there wouldn't hurt.

[K8-EEE]

56. I read that although they don't admit it, GOP is secretly freaking about TX going blue by 2020

Aging white Republican population and hugh demo increase among Latinos.

[Recursion]

57. Nobodys saying we'll get their electoral votes

But we might take back, say, the 22nd and 23rd district. The rule of thumb is higher voter registration is good for Democrats, even in Republican-heavy areas.

[Hutzpa]

3. Indeed

this is one to watch.

[LisaL]

5. It's the reddest of all red states.

There was a poll done showing Obama is 20 points behind Romney.
I am not sure what exactly is there to watch?

[Tx4obama]

11. In 2008 Texas was NOT the reddest of the red states.

Look at the 2008 'Results by States' section here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_u.s._presidential_election#Result
The second from the last column shows the margins. Texas was −11.77
Many other red states had much bigger numbers that that.

[LisaL]

16. The poll I saw for current election had Obama 20 points behind.

[Hutzpa]

32. How long ago was that? nt

[LisaL]

34. 2.5 weeks.

[Hutzpa]

36. What polling were you looking at? nt

[LisaL]

38. Any polling you look at, Obama is way behind in TX.

[Hutzpa]

44. If this is any indication of what's to come then

I am optimistic, from the 7-eleven convenient store cup contest, the only city Mitt Romney is winning in Texas is Grapevine, all the other major cities in Texas he is losing. One can only hope.

http://www.7-eleven.com/7-Election/NationalResults.aspx

[Left Coast2020]

54. It could be that a lot of people have woken up.

Just guessing. And while I'm thinking of it, I did not hate McCain when he ran. He was amussing. Mittens, he is a bastard. A scum of the earth who sends jobs to China. I hope there is a surprise in a state he thinks he'll win, and it turns out blue. He needs a slap in the face--from voters that is. Losing Texas would be a start.

[LisaL]

55. He is not going to lose TX.

There is nothing brilliant about this news.
It just says a large number of people registered. It doesn't say these people are going to vote democratic.
So WTF is brilliant about that?

[Hutzpa]

63. He is a complete snake oil man

and I'm being nice here, but you can tell Mitt is a vile man you don't have to look hard at him to see it, his kids are not comfortable around him just look at their body language, his track record does read like a person that do not cares, he has already shown that during his travel to England and other places.

I have total confidence in the Obama Team, I know they have this guy on their scope.

No more playing Mr Nice Guy.

[Tx4obama]

37. Polls are not 'facts', election results are 'facts'. And the polls down here are not correct.

If I were you I would not pay much attention to the polling in Texas.

I have had four calls from pollsters here this election season the first question they ask is "Do you have 5-6 minutes to participate in a poll?" - I say "yes". And then they ask: "Which political party do would you say you are most aligned with?"
and as soon as I say: "The Democratic Party." - they say: "Thank you for your time" and then they hang up.

So, don't pay attention to the polls in Texas

[RKP5637]

51. Interesting chart from your link - 2008 election.

[Tx4obama]

53. Yep, there were 14 states that Obama did worse in than he did in Texas :) n/t

[Tx4obama]

6. In 2008

In 2008 Obama got OVER 3.5 MILLION votes in Texas.
McCain got UNDER 4.5

Obama won the majority of our largest cities/counties: Austin/Travis, Dallas/Dallas, Houston/Harris, El Paso, San Antonio, etc.
The only really big city McCain won was Ft. Worth/Tarrant (and maybe one or two others), the majority of the towns he won were smaller/rural.

I'm hoping that President Obama will receive more votes in Texas this time than last

[lalalu]

10. I thought he only won Austin and Houston.

Thanks for the info.

[Tx4obama]

23. Here's a link with the 2008 'county' breakdown results

Here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election_in_Texas,_2008#By_county

[lalalu]

33. Thanks, I am surprised at those numbers.

Especially El Paso. I haven't been there since the eighties but it must have really changed.

[Tx4obama]

41. Did you hear that in 2010 we elected our first openly gay mayor? :)

Annise Parker is Houston's second female mayor, and one of the first openly gay mayors of a major U.S. city.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annise_Parker

Some parts of Texas are much more progressive than others

[lalalu]

42. There is hope :)

[Dem2TheCore]

12. Texas demographics are changing

It will be very interesting to see the numbers from this election cycle and see if there are any trends emerging.

[nc4bo]

15. Progress doesn't always occur all at once (lesson learned over the past 4 years)

and even the smallest steps forward are progress in the right direction.

[LisaL]

24. I think its stepping backwards.

[nc4bo]

26. whatever. nm

[Gothmog]

47. We are hoping to turn Fort Bend Blue

As noted, the Democratic Party has done well in Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, Austin and the Rio Grande Valley. The next step is winning the suburbs and the State party has been helping us in Fort Bend County. We have been busy registering voters and doing vote by mail programs. In 2008, we were within 4.000 votes of carrying the county and are hoping to carry the county this year. According to the experts, if the Democrats can start winning in the suburbs, then the State of Texas will soon be a swing state.

[Tx4obama]

48. Good luck - I hope ya'll succeed :) I have my fingers crossed for ya :) n/t

[lalalu]

8. I am hoping this is good but it is Texas.

[LisaL]

9. I think it's bringing down Obama number in national polls.

Thankfully it doesn't matter because of electoral college.

[lalalu]

14. True, the rise for Romney is in states already red.

If President Obama were to win Texas it would be a shockwave.

[LisaL]

18. Hell will freeze over first.

[snappyturtle]

17. I live in a vey red county in the Hill Country ...west of Austin.

When I go out I look for Rmoney signs and bumper stickers. To date I have seen one itty bitty yard sign and one equally tiny car sticker. The lack of repuke visibility is remarkable. imho

[LisaL]

19. I don't see any signs around here either.

TX is pretty much ignored because everybody knows the outcome.

[chalky]

40. Drove through a neighborhood west of MoPac in Austin this past weekend - thought I'd throw up.

Never seen so many Rmoney signs in my life. Same with Round Rock.

[LisaL]

43. Nothing around here.

You'd never know there was an election coming.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

20. Ah, yes....another "Texas is turning blue" post

Meanwhile, Teabagger Ted Cruz is easily winning and Rick Perry is STILL the Governor ("But....but....I swear he will lose this time!&quot

[LisaL]

22. Being hopeful is one thing.

Being delusional is quite another.
And yes, TX is going to give us a tea party senator this election.
Hip hip hooray.

[Tx4obama]

25. No one is saying that Obama will win Texas this time. But Texas is not as red as it used to be.

I am talking about THE PEOPLE of Texas.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

27. Forget a Democratic candidate for President winning there....

....I'd just like to see a Democrat from Texas win statewide first.

[LisaL]

39. Just a regular republican senator candidate wasn't good enough for TX.

They picked a tea party candidate.

[Hutzpa]

46. Maybe the democratic candidate is another Martha Coakley

doing a bad job in campaigning.

[freshwest]

28. I can see it now, Texas will be like that scene from Ghostbusters on TEOTWAWKI...

Dr. Peter Venkman: This city is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions.

Mayor: What do you mean, "biblical"?

Dr Ray Stantz: What he means is Old Testament, Mr. Mayor, real wrath of God type stuff.

Dr. Peter Venkman: Exactly.

Dr Ray Stantz: Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling!

Dr. Egon Spengler: Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes...

Winston Zeddemore: The dead rising from the grave!

Dr. Peter Venkman: Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!

The conspiracy nuts and the Texas GOP have made almost all of those claims this year to disenfranchise voters and stop Obama. The citizens of Glennbeckistan are in a frenzy.

[Hutzpa]

45. Thanks for the laugh.

Gleenbeckistan, Tea baggers are all going to need a new place to shop their hate.

[freshwest]

50. Sadly, I have a relative in Texas who moved to Glennbeckistan in 2010. Batshit crazy is unpleasant.

Last edited Fri Jun 28, 2013, 03:55 AM - Edit history (4)

Her main concern is Mezikans, Mooslims, Communism and now, Sharia Law!

She was pro-same-sex rights, pro-choice, tolerant of all religions, etc. She went to the same schools I did, learned all the same things. Was always a bit selfish and irritating, but I never paid it any mind as her husband is quite nice. I was used to her remarkable insensitivity in social situations and a bit of cruelty in her desire to get ahead of others.

The first signs of insanity were in the Bush era and then in 2008, when she yelled that someone needed to 'Kill Ron Paul!' for not going along with the Bush wars. She knew I'd be voting Democratic, but didn't say a thing about it.

In 2010 she went off her rocker for good. I never realized politics would be so destructive to the family. It's impossible to have a conversation in which she doesn't bring up her extreme fear and rage over what she thinks Obama is doing.

She is unaffected in any way by the political scene, except what's in her mind. She and her husband are being well taken care of by VA and SS. She is sure it's all going away because of Obama, Mooslims, Mezikans, Communism, whatever.

It's a form of free-floating anxiety. The feeling is there looking for a cause. It's like a death in the family but it's worse. Most of my life in Texas from childhood was under progressive rule, more so than much of the country. It was solid Democratic until Ann Richards lost to the Shrub.

The Bush team with DeLay had a vicious plan and used Texas as an experiment. Religion was the first key to prey upon people. It changed in my lifetime.

Those who like to pat themselves on the back, thinking Texas is genetically doomed to be forced to live with wingnuttery are fooling themselves, because the model to destroy the Democratic Party in Texas in now national. I live in a very blue state, and they are gaining ground here now.

Here's that map for you. Need a laugh to keep your spirits up. Let's see if we can repeat 2008.

[MassedPole]

29. Is it possable for Texas to go blue in 2016??

[Tx4obama]

30. Sure it is :) n/t

[Recursion]

58. 2016 might be a stretch, but stranger things have happened

Personally it would surprise me if it happened before 2024, unless we run a Latino candidate with strong Texas ties in 2016 (there's the mayor of San Antonio, but I can't think of anybody else). But I'm often wrong.

[NoPasaran]

61. Only if we invent a deadly virus

That only affects Republicans

[Paladin]

62. Thanks For Sparing Texas Democrats.

It doesn't happen that often, here at DU.....

[NoPasaran]

64. Well, I am one

Got to get back to the lab now.

[fujiyama]

49. Texas demographics have changed considerably

I don't think anyone really saw VA and NC being swing states quite this quick. Or CO and MAYBE even AZ (I'm doubtful). The registration effort is a good thing overall, especially for Democrats. Latinos, other immigrants, and transplants will eventually start making a dent in TX elections. It's very likely not this election cycle, but in four to eight years, it's very possible.

What's interesting is that in both NC and VA, of those that just moved to the state in the last ten years or so, they're much more likely to vote Democratic. We've seen a lot of migration over the last several years to due to the recession. We may not see the demographic changes reflected electorally just yet...but in time.

[AverageJoe90]

59. Great news!

I'm proud of my fellow Texas Dems right now.

[bushisanidiot]

60. I expect EVERY state with heavy and/or increasing latino populations to be a closer

race now than in '08 due to the President's support of the Dream Act and the
republicans absolutely HATEFUL rhetoric toward latinos and their zeal to
pass discriminatory laws. Latinos are polling much heavier toward the
President now than they did in '08.

Texas may be out of reach for this election but it will send a chill down
republicans' spines when they see the final results on election day.
AZ is going to sh*t their pants, too.

[JiminyJominy]

65. 2020

i live in Texas and I think 2020 is going to be the first Presidential race in which Texas becomes a legit swing state.

just don't see it before then.

[Hutzpa]

66. I heard this same line of discussion

prior to Obama announcing to run for the presidency, this is not his time, he needs to wait till 2012 or 2016, fast forward to today, look at were we are now. Obama is the president and is about to get re-elected.