Should Obama and Clinton Campaign Together in Texas?

Great Idea (4.33 / 3)

The Valley would be a good place for Hillary to do an event with Obama. Her support there was overwhelming. That would send a good message nation-wide and (not to be greedy) would sure help some of our state-wide candidates as well. It would keep McCain on his toes and who are we to say that Texas isn't in play. If we can knock off Cornyn, I say we can knock off McCain too.

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by: NatAtCap @ Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 21:15:03 PM UTC

Yes (5.00 / 1)

Exactly

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by: gregturet @ Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 21:38:51 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

$2,300 and the cost of a rental tux... (0.00 / 0)

$2,300.00 and the cost of a rental tux is the only way you will see Obama and HRC togeather in Texas this cycle.  They will do a fundraiser, but not a public event.  

I wish it were true for Noreiga, he could use the support in energizing the Hispanic base.  A base that was positively charged during a great primary fight.  But it will never happen.  If you are Obama why not simply do this event in a state like Nevada, a ligitimate swing state.  How about California, huge crowds, huge support, well known elected officials.  Even New Mexico with a popular Hispanic Gov.

I would love to see the state get the much needed attention.  It would be great for San Antonio and our Hispanic base, but don't hold your breath.  Rent the tux just in case.  

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by: TXJRS @ Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 23:02:08 PM UTC

why bother in Cali? (0.00 / 0)

the only way California will go red is if Al-Queda somehow finds a way to finally make it sink into the ocean. New Mexico's obvious. Nevada too, especially with the amount of Clinton support there. Texas would seem a perfect "sleeper state" to drain McSame. With the caucus results, the way I see it, I think they both owe us a full schedule through Texas, i mean - we've got TWO of them. You know the saying "only Nixon could go to China" - well we all know who absolutely has to come to Texas. I think Clinton should make one or more full sweeps through, with a handful of joint appearances. It'd boost the downtickets and give McLame and the GOP a shit-fit trying to hold on to their downtickets.  

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by: billydanielus @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:28:09 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Why bother in Cali.... reallly? (0.00 / 0)

If what we are talking about here is Obama reaching out to the Hispanic base; that is what the article is based upon, then California is a logical choice.  Obviously we will win California, the idea of the event is not to win a state.  The idea of the event is for Clinton to aide Obama in reaching out to Hispanic voters.  Why would he come to Texas, a state where the Hispanic base was so  disproportionate for HRC?  The goal of the event is to promote Obama, not relive the Clinton glory days.  California is a much better choice for what this type of event is looking to gain.

Also, "sleeper state", are you serious?  I wish Texas was in play, but it just is not going to happen. The candidates owe us nothing.  Our state is super expensive to run a campaign in  due to several high priced media markets, and is a serious burden to plant staff in due to the size of territory to cover.  There is no way Obama is going to make a play for Texas.  Further, McCain has a high profile Senate race protecting his interests in the state.  Obama is not just losing votes to McCain but every Republican who comes out for Cornyn as well.  There is no way Texas is a "sleeper state"

Finally, HRC might sweep through solo but in will be in the capacity that I first mentioned.  She will only be here to try to raise money to pull herself out of debt.  You don't do public events, alone, promoting a candidate who you just lost a bitter campaign against. Especially in a state that by all accounts kept you viable in the race.  

I do think there will be joint appearances but they will be fundraisers.  They will hold the Obama/Clinton Hispanic outreach events on solid Obama/ Democrat turf. Like California.  

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by: TXJRS @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 07:08:35 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

You missed the point (0.00 / 0)

They should come to Texas precisely because the Hispanic vote here went so heavily to Clinton. That's where her being at his side can do the most good.

You do the fundraisers in California and New York, where there's strong support and lots of money. You do rallies in Texas (and a fundraiser on the side) where there are voters whose participation is uncertain.

The really high-ticket (much more than $2300) fundraisers also are for multiple purposes: Obama, DNC, retiring Clinton's debt, Noriega, TDP, you name it.  

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by: LSadun @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 16:46:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yes! (5.00 / 1)

It'd be great if Obama and Clinton came to Texas.

We should all work hard on voter registration this summer to convince the Obama campaign that Texas is in play.  With Clinton and Obama working together, we can turn Texas blue in 2008!

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by: Ian @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 02:23:05 AM UTC

Houston, Houston, Houston (2.00 / 1)

to paraphrase Russert. If we could really turn out Houston this cycle, just think about it. Same with places like Beaumont, maybe Tyler.

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by: billydanielus @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:30:44 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I'd take just Clinton (5.00 / 1)

The challenge this campaign season is going to be scheduling of the candidate.  When factored into the overall scheme of states Texas will be one that won't be top of the list with regards to priority.  We're the CA of the red states.

That being said, here's how we rise further up the list.  If enough grassroots action occurs in TX and the polls tighten between the two candidates two things will happen. 1) McCain will start spending more time in the state to keep it red across the board.  If Cornyn gets challenged by Noriega or if some of the House seats start moving to blue he will also have to come here to hold the tide. 2) Obama will come here to bump the polls a little more and create a little chaos in the R overall plan.

Clinton did it in '92 and '96 with the South Texas swing occuring right before Election Day.  Obama could repeat that strategy and shake up the Rs with fear of losing the lottery stake of electorals we have.

Regardless I think Sen. Clinton would be a great surrogate for Obama in the state. A South Texas swing with Richardson would help send a message to Hispanics across the nation including FL and even AZ.

So, bottom line, we need good solid grassroots action in the state to make us go into play.  In other words, we TX Dems set our own destiny.

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by: RBearSAT @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 02:36:55 AM UTC

O-kay (0.00 / 0)

So, it's true. Hillary Clinton helps us. Obama not as much. That's one big fat reason why she should be #1 on the list for VP.  We must get the Hispanic voters to the polls if we have any chance of electing Rick Noriega. The Texas Hispanics I know are passionate in their support of Hillary Clinton. Lukewarm about Obama. And this "older Hispanic" thing is interesting. Is late 30s "older"?

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by: Elsbeth @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 02:38:42 AM UTC

Let it go (5.00 / 1)

You're getting too predictable. Any mention of Sen. Clinton starts your VP record.

Elsbeth, I hate to say this because I have enjoyed some of your other posts, but read some tea leaves on this one. That ship has sailed and Sen. Clinton is not on it.

Now, let's talk about a national presidential campaign where Sen. Clinton plays in the mix as a great surrogate with the likes of Richardson, Gore, and an all-star cast of Dems.

Before you come back at me on this and claim all kinds of issues and biases, look at the signals coming from a LOT of places including Rep. Pelosi today. It's time to move to reasonable discussion.

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by: RBearSAT @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 02:49:06 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I didn't listen (0.00 / 0)

to Senator Pelosi, today. She's not a Texan. I'm thinking about our state. And I'm not "pushing" anything.

So, you let it go. And just don't comment if you can't be civil.  

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by: Elsbeth @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 02:58:22 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Pushing you are (0.00 / 0)

Last time I checked the presidential race is a national office. So it doesn't matter if you're a Texan or not in the discussion of VP.  Rep. Pelosi recommended a Texan yesterday for the VP position.  In another post I think there has been a great debate over that with some very valid points, the biggest being the loss of a great representative in the Waco area.

Pushing you are:

That's one big fat reason why she should be #1 on the list for VP.

Push the Clinton button and you always seem to come back with "she should be VP." Train ... station. Horse ... barn. Game over. I don't see how bringing in support of Hispanics in South Texas is "one big fat reason."

Regarding civil I think my post was more than adequately civil. I am trying to provide you with some advice in the overall discussion. People may start ignoring your posts if you start becoming a broken record.  Your passion and support is admirable but on that matter it doesn't have relevance any more.

Just some things to think on.  Back to fun discussion.

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by: RBearSAT @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 10:41:13 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

In Texas (5.00 / 1)

Clinton is a huge, huge plus in South Texas, but extrapolating to the rest of the country is iffy at best.  It's easy to make good use of a surrogate who is loved in some places and hated in others -- just send her where she's most loved. But a VP's impact is felt everywhere, for good and bad.  

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by: LSadun @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 16:56:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yes, they should (5.00 / 1)

Obama may have an uphill climb winning Texas, but I think the race is going to be close enough to justify a serious effort on his part, even if for no other reason than to bolster Noriega and state Dems, and force McCain to spend a lot of money here.  If he came to the Valley with Clinton and Richardson, it would give him, and Texas Dems, a big boost.

- 7.12, - 7.54 / Attack of the Machine Elves / My Twitter feed

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by: Big Tex @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 03:09:05 AM UTC

What he said ^^^ (3.67 / 3)

no reason to be doom-and-gloom about Obama not coming here. There's a lot of time between now and November 4 for him to do that - one or two days in San Antonio, South Texas, and El  Paso (which he can fit in with a swing through NM) with Clinton and Noriega would be huge.  

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by: Robert Ryland @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 03:20:09 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I have a question for the diarist, David Mauro (0.00 / 0)

your post here seems a bit pessimistic about the possibility of a joint campaign effort here in Texas. Is that based on whether Obama will commit to competing here in Texas, or if Clinton will commit to a meaningful schedule through the Lone Star State. You being a former Clinton delegate here in Texas, I would trust your read on this more than my own. I'll agree that the odds of putting Texas in the blue for the big one are "challenging", but everything I've heard as an Obama supporter and an Obama delegate is that he intends to compete everywhere he can. 50 state strategy.
  I know this sounds pointed, but I promise it's not. As an avid Obama supporter, I would think it folly for him not to use Hillary Clinton, and Bill Clinton for that matter - here in Texas, especially through the valley where:
       A. she can raise a hell of a lot of money and drive voter turnout like no other human being on earth,
       B. force the issue of immigration and the border fence - on which McCain is bound to lose (he has to go to the right on this or get slammed by his base) - and allow Obama to draw favorable contrasts thence
       C. give a huge boost of support to downticket candidates
       D. and finally, draw favorable contrasts on healthcare, b/c i would reckon that Texas is suffering from healthcare profiteering to a degree that few other states can match, and that few other states have the capability to address

  no one can help the downtickets here in Texas like the Clintons, and nobody can raise money here in Texas like the Clintons. It is worth pointing out that the last Democratic Presidential candidate to visit Texas was a Clinton, and that isn't soon forgotten, especially in places like the valley.

 so here's the pointed part of my question - who should i be pissed at if this doesn't happen, Hillary or Barack? serious question

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by: billydanielus @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:17:42 AM UTC

Neither (5.00 / 1)

There are a lot of reasons this probably won't happen, but I don't think either Obama or Clinton is to blame.

But I agree with you that it would be a big help and I really hope it happens.

 

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by: David Mauro @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 05:38:49 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Downticket - (4.00 / 2)

I think Clinton's downballot value is limited here. She'd help Noriega for sure - which alone makes it worth getting her here - and maybe some swing district guys like Ciro and Juan Garcia. But most of the folks she would bolster are safe-seat Hispanic reps. She may even be more of a drag on rural swing district Dems, but not being on the ticket (just campaigning  for Obama and Noriega, etc.) makes that not a real problem, imo.    

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by: Robert Ryland @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 14:53:09 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I think she would also (4.00 / 2)

help drive turnout among suburban women and we have a lot of closely contested state rep races in the suburbs.

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by: David Mauro @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 15:37:55 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Mad at no one (5.00 / 1)

David's post is actually pretty relevant discussion but also allows us to discuss ways to make it happen.  I can tell you from experience in '92 and '96 strong support in the state by the state helped draw the candidates.

A 50 state strategy just means you have ground operations in the state.  That's the easy part, provided you have the money.  Getting the candidates to commit to time to come to the state is a different matter.

Obama won't come to Texas without a VP candidate (watch him prove me wrong on this one) so that shortens the calendar to come here.  We still don't have a VP candidate and probably won't until after July 4th (sounds like a good betting pool).

So, as I stated before, we control our destiny on this one. Get out a really strong effort in Texas and Obama shows up. Make it weak and there's no reason to show up. It's a wasted day in Texas when he could have been in FL or OH or even Maricopa County, AZ. I'd still settle for Clinton as a surrogate here in South Texas. In fact I'd love it.

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by: RBearSAT @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 10:50:10 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Dems love Central Texas (0.00 / 0)

You'll remember in 2004 governor Howard Dean after dropping out of the presidential race came to Austin on several occasions to campaign for Jon Kerry.  Especially after two gigantic rallies here in Austin, it would just seem logical that we will get some high profile people down here holding Obama rallies.

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by: PaulR @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 18:37:11 PM UTC

true (0.00 / 0)

But Central Texas was probably Hillary Clinton's weakest area in all of Texas.

Clinton could help Obama, Noriega, etc, a lot here in Texas. But we should send her to one of the 230 counties she won. That's where she'll be most effective.

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by: David Mauro @ Wed Jun 25, 2008 at 19:28:32 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Then don't send her here to Gregg County (0.00 / 0)

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by: v2aggie2 @ Thu Jun 26, 2008 at 03:52:33 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

She got over 40% in Gregg County (0.00 / 0)

Which is better than she did in Travis County and much, much better than Obama did throughout South Texas.

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by: David Mauro @ Thu Jun 26, 2008 at 07:57:00 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

When the local county party (0.00 / 0)

is openly supporting Clinton, helps coordinates local Clinton events and activities, and arranges for the Clinton campaign to have an office right next to the party headquarters for coordination purposes, maybe 40% is not so hot.

And in the primary, most East Texas counties went for Clinton, so we bucked thet trend.

Also, in Gregg County, we had 19 delegates to the state convention to their 8.  We also won SD 1 in the caucus at the convention.

Basically, in Gregg County, the Obama side had to go against the Clinton campaign AND the Gregg County Democratic Party.

We still won handily.  And I am proud of our campaign for its effort under these circumstances.  

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by: v2aggie2 @ Thu Jun 26, 2008 at 11:53:40 AM UTC

[ Parent ]