Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

Showing Original Post only (View all)

ProSense

(116,464 posts)
Fri Oct 25, 2013, 10:29 AM Oct 2013

FreedomWorks: What I Witnessed In Austin This Weekend Shook Me To My Core [View all]

FreedomWorks: What I Witnessed In Austin This Weekend Shook Me To My Core

by Egberto Willies

Texas is the sleeping giant in the United States. It turns out that Battleground Texas is starting to scare the hell out of the Right Wing Tea Party Texas Republican Party.

It turns out that FreedomWorks blogger Shane Wright wrote a blog piece that lays it out pretty well. He says,

Top-level Democrats and OFA strategist are on the ground all across Texas registering hundreds of new voters every week. Currently Battleground Texas reports that they are on pace to register approximately 600,000 new Democrats by the 2014 midterms. Considering Rick Perry won the gubernatorial race in 2010 by less than 700,000 votes, Texas could be in real trouble. Mathematically speaking, the path to the White House could be lost for an entire generation if Democrats are able to turn Texas.

In a state with a population of over 26 million, that margin of votes is minute. What is not stated is a much higher percentage of Republican voters are registered than Democratic voters. The assumption is that most Latino, Black, and other voters generally have an affinity for the Democratic Party.

FreedomWorks is scared.

Wright attended Tribune Fest at the University of Texas Austin, a gathering similar to Netroots. This is supposed to be Red Texas. He was completely taken aback. He blogged the following.

What I witnessed in Austin this weekend shook me to my core. This isn’t simply an ideological grassroots battle; we are up against a full-fledged frontal assault from the entire liberal political machine. Battleground Texas is well funded, motivated, highly organized and damn good at what they do. We are fighting an uphill battle to keep Texas reliably red, which has trickle down effects across the country.

Shane Wright and FreedomWorks are in panic mode. They have finally realized that the movement to turn Texas blue is real. They likely realize that the their voter ID suppression tactics and the new voter suppression tactics against women will not be sufficient. There requirement that all volunteer deputy voter registrars are deputized in every county they intend to register voters will not be enough.

Wendy Davis running for Governor Of Texas means she will earn the vote of both Democratic and some Republican women. After all, Republican misogyny does not end at the party line.

Texas has the lowest voter turnout in the country. If Texans voted its true demographics, it will be a solid blue state. Given the outcomes of statewide races, mostly Republican, it is safe to assume that the vast majority of all new voters will be Democrats. That is FreedomWorks biggest fear.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/10/24/1250367/-FreedomWorks-What-I-Witnessed-In-Austin-This-Weekend-Shook-Me-To-My-Core


The infighting isn't going to help Republicans, who are trying to distance themselves from themselves:

Americans For Tax Reform Policy Director Blasts 'Defund Terrorists'
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/americans-for-tax-reform-director-blasts-defund-terrorists-on-conservative-listserv

Go Dems!

PPP Poll: Dems Could Win 'Sizable Majority' in House in 2014 - Pickup Opps in 49 of 61 Districts
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023893429





Note:

Kos Media, LLC Site content may be used for any purpose without explicit permission unless otherwise specified




105 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Really, wouldn't it be amazing if Texas turned blue? gopiscrap Oct 2013 #1
Not if...when. ScreamingMeemie Oct 2013 #2
yes!! gopiscrap Oct 2013 #4
lots of transplants justabob Oct 2013 #7
Houston is like that too. ScreamingMeemie Oct 2013 #9
OT justabob Oct 2013 #11
Construction is booming here in Houston as well. ScreamingMeemie Oct 2013 #45
"...see more and more NY, MI, PA, OH, FL and CA license plates..." greiner3 Oct 2013 #93
That's great news! JNelson6563 Oct 2013 #8
If we can vote in a Democrat as Houston's mayor... ScreamingMeemie Oct 2013 #10
Reality check Bucky Oct 2013 #29
Don't need a reality check. I live here. ScreamingMeemie Oct 2013 #42
Yes!! Another proud Houstonian here!! Manifestor_of_Light Oct 2013 #67
Billie Carr!! Bucky Oct 2013 #96
Hubby and I interviewed her years ago talking about Barbara Jordan. Manifestor_of_Light Oct 2013 #100
Yes, it is exactly as I said. But people need to know that no one runs on a party efhmc Oct 2013 #103
Houston has had Democratic mayors for years. Nothing new. efhmc Oct 2013 #81
Angry "moderate" women? Never met one of them.... Half-Century Man Oct 2013 #15
I wonder whether Perry is rethinking his idea of stealing California businesses (and JDPriestly Oct 2013 #17
+1, Vote pop of DFW is SLOWLY turning blue ... solid blue too... most from Cali uponit7771 Oct 2013 #39
There are a lot of us lifelongers, too! hamsterjill Oct 2013 #76
it is coming, sooner than later justabob Oct 2013 #3
can't be soon enough gopiscrap Oct 2013 #6
Hasn't it been trending this way for quite some time? Hosnon Oct 2013 #23
Georgia right after Texas Chaco Dundee Oct 2013 #32
It would be lovely! Iliyah Oct 2013 #27
But, to be fair, the Republican core... dchill Oct 2013 #5
Current RW voter suppression/gerrymandering is the most oppressive since the overt racist suppressio Faryn Balyncd Oct 2013 #12
Heh heh. Right in the belly of the beast. . . DinahMoeHum Oct 2013 #13
Austin, Houston, Dallas, El Paso, all have been voting blue for some time Packerowner740 Oct 2013 #14
San Antonio, also predominately blue, is growing fast also. however, northoftheborder Oct 2013 #16
k&r... spanone Oct 2013 #18
Oh, Happy Day!!! denvine Oct 2013 #19
The whole South is ripe for a Democratic Party flip. bvar22 Oct 2013 #20
Whenever I've seen that LBJ quote, kentauros Oct 2013 #47
I totally agree. Bring back the Dean 50 state plan klyon Oct 2013 #95
Thanks. Scurrilous Oct 2013 #21
Truly cause for a nation-wide block party if Texas Dems manage to pull this off!! Surya Gayatri Oct 2013 #22
Bring this machine to Georgia next! Hosnon Oct 2013 #24
KnR. This is exciting news. Expect the voter suppression to be ramped up accordingly. Hekate Oct 2013 #25
North Carolina HAS TO get rid of Renee Elmers in the House. loudsue Oct 2013 #26
That would be sweet. n/t ProSense Oct 2013 #54
Republicans have a solid strategy of representing the richest 1% and punking the dumbest 50%. ... JEFF9K Oct 2013 #28
It's never worked for very long throughout all of human history? Ikonoklast Oct 2013 #53
Really? quakerboy Oct 2013 #84
The pages of history are filled with dead rich people who thought they could get away with it Ikonoklast Oct 2013 #94
You read History differently than I do quakerboy Oct 2013 #101
Revolution is now the norm, though. Ikonoklast Oct 2013 #102
The bigger they are, the harder they fall. nt silvershadow Oct 2013 #30
Way to go, Texas Dems! SunSeeker Oct 2013 #31
Which is why it's crucial that women can't vote. polichick Oct 2013 #33
Damn straight! We're mobilized and not messing around. Avalux Oct 2013 #34
If Texas ever begins to go blue in Presidential years, that's curtains for the GOP. Arkana Oct 2013 #35
I figured this when I moved to Texas, the license plates lady said for the last year 80% of the peop uponit7771 Oct 2013 #40
Molly Ivins is smiling from above,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, benld74 Oct 2013 #36
Ann Richards too! polichick Oct 2013 #41
And LBJ. bvar22 Oct 2013 #48
and Barbara Jordan w8liftinglady Oct 2013 #89
Good Riddance ...... Thucydides Oct 2013 #37
*** ALL VOTER SUPRESSION EFFORTS ARE A TEST FOR TEXAS*** IF they get the rest of the states uponit7771 Oct 2013 #38
I think the Dixie Chicks must be feeling vindicated about now. Rebellious Republican Oct 2013 #43
K&R - REC #100 Coyotl Oct 2013 #44
Sweet Mr Dixon Oct 2013 #46
Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Oct 2013 #49
The GOP never concludes that their IDEAS need to change. Deny and Shred Oct 2013 #50
Amen and Hallelujah! freshwest Oct 2013 #51
Now that is perfect for this thread, Hallelujah! sheshe2 Oct 2013 #72
Will be proud to be a native of that state again... And I have other good news... But too busy now. freshwest Oct 2013 #78
Simply wonderful get the red out Oct 2013 #52
thanks for the good news Liberal_in_LA Oct 2013 #55
yes - TBF Oct 2013 #56
+1 Absolutely! justabob Oct 2013 #57
How can they turn blue if Politicalboi Oct 2013 #58
To me, the best thing about a blue streak of Democratic presidents: Arugula Latte Oct 2013 #59
Good news! But not the time to sit back on our laurels. jazzimov Oct 2013 #60
I doubt Freedomworks is afraid of anything other than going tsuki Oct 2013 #61
The Koch Bros. are on that - TBF Oct 2013 #65
Not since Freedomworks criticized Charles and David Koch tsuki Oct 2013 #70
Interesting -- TBF Oct 2013 #75
Don't think so. Armey split from the group. There have been allegations tsuki Oct 2013 #80
Yeah, that's what I thought, too. We recently saw many stories about Freedomworks being almost calimary Oct 2013 #104
Republican vote suppression JackHughes Oct 2013 #62
"voter suppression tactics against women"??? tblue Oct 2013 #63
Excellent! Now let's make sure they vote eridani Oct 2013 #64
I gauge my optimism in the face of the DNC becoming more conservative Taverner Oct 2013 #66
Rw'ers have no core, so he is a liar SHRED Oct 2013 #68
I know OFA isn't playin' Viva Battleground Texas! Cha Oct 2013 #69
Good to hear. Somebody has to save Texas from itself. LuckyLib Oct 2013 #71
We women voters are getting it on it. Some women in early voting are having to sign affidavits that DhhD Oct 2013 #79
Yes, women need to check their ID and voter reg in THIS election catrose Oct 2013 #88
That DPS policy for women is complete bullshit. I hope every woman who has to jump through those LuckyLib Oct 2013 #99
YES! sheshe2 Oct 2013 #73
I'd love to see Governor Wendy Davis. ProSense Oct 2013 #98
There are whole counties in Texas that had only 500 voters show up in 2012... Spitfire of ATJ Oct 2013 #74
Like Kenedy County? Probably the closest margin in the country Rstrstx Oct 2013 #82
Onward TEXAS go blue. Historic NY Oct 2013 #77
Oh, This Is blue-wave Oct 2013 #83
How do they sleep @ night knowing their best chance at getting elected is... Beartracks Oct 2013 #85
OH the PURPLE ROSE of Texas just might be turnin' BLUE... Tigress DEM Oct 2013 #86
Eeeeew...I just love GOOD NEWS! Hulk Oct 2013 #87
Make It So. blkmusclmachine Oct 2013 #90
We moved to Texas... GTurck Oct 2013 #91
Texas turning blue. Now that would be something. You'd think that "normal" Texans, and there spicegal Oct 2013 #92
Voter Registration and GOTV work! MineralMan Oct 2013 #97
Considering Texas's low turnout, Jamaal510 Oct 2013 #105
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»FreedomWorks: What I Witn...