Now, about that Texas GOP surprise for Hillary Clinton

One week ago at about this time of day we posted an item here headlined: "Do Texas Republicans plan a surprise for Clinton and Obama?"

It speculated on the possibility of Republican voters in the Lone Star state, faced with an uninteresting, essentially-decided contest between John McCain and Mike Huckabee, crossing over to make mischief in the Democratic primary by voting for Hillary Clinton to prolong the Democrats' damaging intra-party struggle for several more weeks. We'd heard rumors about this and the Dallas Morning News had written about the possibility.

Then, on his Monday broadcast, conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh with his national audience of some 13 million aggressively pushed the idea to his listeners in Texas. Bill O'Reilly, among others, also talked about the possibility on his national radio program, but did not advocate such tactics.

By now, some of you may have heard, that Clinton did pull off....

a popular vote win over Barack Obama in Texas which, combined with her wins in Rhode Island and Ohio, revived her campaign and fundraising and made Pennsylvania's primary on April 22 the newest of many days of decisive decision for Democrats, while McCain clinched his nomination and moved on to begin organizing nationally.

Now, Susan Davis over at the Wall Street Journal's Washington Wire has found evidence among some Democrats of possibly enough GOP hijinks to make a difference in Texas. Only 9% of voters in the Democratic primary there were Republican and Obama, as he has elsewhere, drew more of them than Clinton.

But in Texas the margin was much closer than it had been in other states. It was 53% for Obama and 46% for Clinton in Texas, but as recently as Wisconsin it was 72% Obama to 28% for Clinton and in Virginia 72% to 23%.

Davis also interviewed one precinct worker who personally tracked dozens of participants in the Democratic balloting who proudly identified themselves as Limbaugh voters, Republicans crossing over.

Clinton won the Texas vote with 50.9%, compared to 47.4% for Obama, or roughly a 100,000-vote difference. Was the Republican vote the margin of Clinton's victory? Hard to say, but it certainly added to her margin in what was a huge psychological boost, even though under Texas' cockamamie primary/caucus system Obama may actually end up with more convention delegates. 

It's not so much that the conservative broadcasters tried to help McCain, whom they have their own doubts about, as it is to force Democrats to fight each other longer, using up valuable resources, energies and precious days of general election planning while perhaps engendering harder feelings among the eventual losing side.

As the Republicans for Obama website complained, "Hillary Clinton owes her political life to Rush Limbaugh."

But under the category of "be very careful what you wish for":

Wouldn't it be a stunning historical irony if Clinton, who's worked hard to adhere closer to the all-important general election political center than Obama, won the nomination in August and the election in November, all thanks to this vast right-wing conspiracy that briefly swallowed its hate of her in March to save her bacon in Texas?

-- Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[genia]

Isn't it interesting that the media refer to this as mischief? It's deliberate interference with a national election. IF...the left were the ones causing this "mischief" the right would be Screeching. OH.. the outrage ! There would be crying and screaming remembering all the patriots ,all veterans who fought in all the wars to protect our right to vote. Cries of treason, unpatriotic criminals. Can't you just picture O'Riely , Rush, Hannity? Of course, the rest of the media would do exactly what they always do...they would all climb aboard this train. It would be repeated 24/7 everywhere.
But.....hey, the right does it and it's viewed as mischief?
I guess my question is does anyone in the media actually think ? Do they all just go with the flow?

[Misty]

I'm an undecided Independent, but I have to say that this comment

"I like the caucus format because it allows the more educated and dedicated voter to have a more influential voice in the voting process. Democracy only muddies the waters in primary elections by letting apathetic citizens a voice the process. We should be a country run by the intelligent and driven."

is exactly the kind of thing that turns me off about many Obama supporters. Elitist and dismissive of democracy when the results don't suit them. Just because someone has different priorities doesn't mean that they are any less intelligent or driven. And it especially does not mean that their vote should count any less.

This cavalier treatment of the right to vote by the Obama campaign is troubling to me and should be troubling to them. We'll see whether the major swing states of Florida or Michigan will vote for a candidate who argued to disenfranchise them. The right to vote is so fundamental to this country that I would seriously question the legitimacy of any candidate who advocated taking that right away from millions of citizens.

[Richie Sheridan]

No Nurse Ratched as our next President!!! No "Hell"ary raiser!!!

I do not delight in sending out such information. I see it as my job. I love the child's fable, "The Emperor's New Clothes." The Emperors, the would-be emperor/empresses amongst us are also children of God, and Redemption and Love are for them also.

I have said that the emblems of the State of Texas and the City of Dallas are no longer a five pointed stars above to lead us, but pentagrams, based on the sociological conditions under each. Texas and Dallas have an opportunity to do something right and Godly for a change...TAKE HILLARY CLINTON OUT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE.

Richie Sheridan
Dallas, Texas
_______________________________________________
This is a excerpt of a post card which has gone to churches throughout Texas, to mayors of major Texas cities, and to local and national media, and other notables.
______________________________________________

“Hell”ary Clinton is a Witch & a Lesbian

That’s right folks. This is where America has come, what America has become, an immoral, debauched, materialistic, and secular Nation as represented and mislead by DEVISIVE, SPECIAL INTEREST “leaders” like “Hell”ary Clinton. “Hell”ary and Bill Clinton represent the worse of the Democratic Party, the Party of Abortion and Sexual Dysfunction. Our Nation today is one where God, Godly behaviour is hard to be found, and where our Nation has become the shame of the world, and
hated internationally. Did you know that the Clintons decorated the White House Christmas tree with
Satanic artifacts, and drug paraphernalia?! (Check former FBI Agent Aldrich’s books.)

Some people like witches, and some people like lesbians. It is a “free” country. But, should we have a President who’s both? How did this happen? How did “Hell”-ary Clinton become a real contender for President of the United States? WE ARE LIVING THE BIG LIE. WHO IS THE MAIN FACILITATOR OF THIS LIE? The M.E.D.I.A…Make Everyone Dumb In America.

Our governments and media no longer serve us, no longer serve We The People, but they serve Special Interests. Who are these Special Interests? Exxon, TXU, Drug Companies, HMOs, Banks, Financial Institutions, the Military-Industrial Complex, etc…THOSE ‘ELITE’ WHO PLACE MONEY/POWER ABOVE THEIR FELLOW MAN...ASSISTED BY THE GOVERNMENTS AND THE MEDIA IN THEIR EVIL.

Shocked by these accusations about “Hell’ary Clinton? Do your own research. Check with authors like former
FBI agent Gary Aldrich, Kathleen Willey, Gerth and Van Natta, Edward Klein, Gennifer Flowers, Cathy O’Brien,
and others who have written books about “Hell”-ery and Bill.

Also, here’s some websites: www.againsthillary.com,
www.stophernow.com, www.cuttingedge.org,www.thehillaryproject.com

What can YOU do? First, educate yourself. Second, if voting Democratic, vote for Barak Obama.
Third, spread the word. If you’re voting Republican, try to educate every Democrat you know, and don’t do it in a mean spirited way. Remember, both parties are responsible for the mess our Nation is in. As a Republican, would you rather have Barak Obama or “Hell”-ary Clinton as President? “Hell”-ary Clinton would divide our Nation worse than it is today, and we are a very, very divided Nation. “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”“Hell”ary is maliciously driving a wedge between hispanic and black communities.

[Valjean]

At this point both C and O need to forget each other and start shooting at McCain to demonstrate their ability to push him around and defeat him. The contest is now not whether either of them can do that to each other. Dem voters are looking for who can beat McCain not whether they can push each other into a gaff of some sort. Why give McCain the stage to himself when he can be used to prove which can oppose him and his programs successfully? IT'S THE WHITE HOUSE, STUPID and which can win it that will carry the day for either to become the nominee.

[Jill]

The democratic party would be foolish not to embrace Obama. He has a broad coalition of support and has brought energy and fund-raising strength to the party. Most important of all, he has energized the younger folks who could become democratic voters in future election cycles. Hillary, on the other hand is already opposed by half the country, and isn't exactly gaining fans with her negative attacks. We already know what we'd get if Hillary were elected . . . competent but partisan politics (and then there are issues of Bill). Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton is a mockery of democracy. It's time for us to take a chance on Obama, maybe, just maybe, he could shame Washington into changing its ways. The Clintons have too many favors out there to return (sorry, but folks don't pay Bill $100,000 speech simply because they like to hear him talk). I've just seen too many Clinton scandals to overlook and excuse. People that behave that way should be punished, not rewarded with a second trip to the White House.

[Tinfoil Hat]

Here is a conspiracy theory to think about:

If you are a good ole boy republican in Washington who gets his yearly portion of pork, then who whould you want to vote for?

A. McCain (Who has promised no pork)
B. Obama (Who has promised he will change things)
C. Clinton (Who says she has experience in washington)

Hmmm.

This message was not approved by the Republican Washington Insiders for Clinton

[robbert]

Texas knows that Hillary is a better pseron to be President then Obama. Please I don't want to see a an Obama and an Oprah in the White House, if they are let it be to visit only Hillary Clinton only.
Obama and Oprah get under my skin.
plus it's The White House ! Come on, like Texas is that open minded of a State to back a black person, after they gave us that dumb redneck hick Bush.

[MC Brown]

As a Texas Republican with few options, I confess that I slipped over to the Democratic Primary to vote AGAINST Hillary Clinton. If I had known Rush Limbaugh was promoting cross-over voting on ANY basis, I would have worn a diguise lest any friends or neighbors think I was marching in lockstep with that egomaniacal nut. I just deplore the idea of one more minute of Clinton - any Clinton.

[ss]

So republicans who voted in the democratic primaries, even in Texas, did vote for Obama overwhelmingly -the sole reason being their hatred of the Clintons. Anyone who thinks that this is sustainable and will translate to GE cannot see the writing on the wall. The typical Christian right is NOT going to vote for Obama even if they hate McCain-they may stay at home at the most.Moderates -why would they vote for Obama over McCain? I agree that antiwar sentiments may play a role but most republicans would still stay with McCain that take a drastic antiwar liberal stand. Even with republican support and fully energezied liberal base behind him Obama couldn’t win a single big state or important swing state. Some here mentioned that he likes caucuses better because apparently its educated people who decides that. I don’t know if thinks of the same about extreme right wing hijacking republican primaries/caucuses in 2000and 2004. General elections are not like Idaho (substitute whatever small state you want to) caucus and winning a few of those is not enough proof that you are electable.

[zf]

When Obama was cagey to talk about issues, people supported him for Change, for righteous reasons. Now it's been revealed that he employs same old politics, it seems that his supporters are now only concerned about their guy winning, stuff Change! Perhaps, they aren't righteous after all.

A reporter who has known Obama for years spiling the beans on the senator's past:
http://houstonpress.com/2008-02-28/news/barack-obama-screamed-at-me/full

[JW]

Thank you L.A. Times for highlighting this part of the story. . . This has been completely missing from other sources.

So the Clintons claim they're more electable, but to win Texas, they had to rely on the support of Republicans who were voting for her as a cruel joke.

This is not the candidate I want running against John McCain in the Fall and if Democrats aren't careful, we might just get bamboozled into letting them steal the nomination from Obama.

This is a real wake up call for the Democratic Party to see what's really going on here.

Not to mention the fact that Obama essentially closed a 20 point lead by the Clintons in just 3-4 weeks. That's victory if you ask me.

Not how the media's spinning it now that they've bullied them into a corner complaining they're being treated unfairly, but true nonetheless.

We're so close, folks. Keep hoping. Stay positive. And realize that it's not going to be long until the Clintons' latest barrage of negative campaigning will come back on them tenfold. South Carolina case in point. America's smarter than them and will see through it.

Their days of exploiting the working class, minorities, and any other group they can pander to in order to win are almost over.

[Mike king]

First off, 47+% of Democrats and Cross-over Indies in Texas voted for Obama and the majority of caucus votes fell to him. Numerically in delegates, Obama WON Texas - that MUST be reported equal to Hillary's Ohio "win".
Who is Hillary's base? In Texas, it was about Latino's. Consider that about half of current voting Texans are natural Texas born citizens of the US, who see their state sliding backward to a Mexican sphere of influence and aren't exactly thrilled with being displaced by Hillary's fauning over Latinos.
What is, in no uncertain terms, the position that both candidates propose on dealing with illegal immigration and the Mexicanization (in language and culture) of Los Angeles, Phoenix and major segments of Texas that is not constrained to the Southwest.
Jobs are scarce and over 600,000 people in February were reclassified as "employed" when their new positions were only part-time. Congress and the President agreed on US Immigration Quotas. These Quotas were voted on by all the candidates. The quotas are set so that US citizens will not suffer employment pay cuts or lost opportunities; the quota for Mexico is set to about 1 weeks border crossings.
How do the candidates propose to preserve the best interests of existing American citizens and those other valued Naturalized Citizens who were forced to stay with their meager quotas (the quota for Great Britain is a few thousand a year and they must have professional skills).
Make no mistake, the economy and the War (Cost) are admitted as the deciding issues in a national election. Dealing with illegal immigration has direct impacts on the economy and the American worker's personal economic prospects.
Texans know where Hillary stands - no matter how she spins it. Why else would Obama win the most delegates, the caucuses are predominately native Texans.
They know that no matter what is said publicly, Obama has a very strong Black Base and that segment is the most adversely impacted of all Americans by illegal immigration.
His comments to date start with the liberal story-line, but he wasn't afraid to clearly state the requirements and limitations to EARNING citizenship. With a more active enforcement of existing law and a real immigration policy that was enforced, Obama can carry the Presidential election.
With Hillary, the fear freaks will have a field day scaring voters into voting for McCain (who at least is sorta reliable) and it will work. I want to vote Democrat for president, but we don't need Avita Peron #2 - and I would be forced to abstain from voting. I'm not alone by a wide margin.
So the decision for the DNC is to live today for tomorrow or live in the past?

[ben for Hillary 2008]

I would like to believe tat the people of Texas would rather back and vote for a female then an Obama.
Now what was Obama's full name ? sounds like someone from the days of 9-11
Did he not use the Holy Bible to take oath of office ? NO
Is he wear he American pin flag ? NO
Do I trust him ? Hell NO
I BELIEVE Texas would rather stand up for someone like Hillary before someone like an Obama.
Obama sounds like a bomb !

[Richie Sheridan]

Major Vote Irregularity in Texas

Hillary won about 51% of the popular vote in Texas, with about 2.2 million voting.

After the polls closed, about 700,000 people showed up for the caucauses. That where they count the carcuses, and the candidate with the most dead bodies resulting from the war of the day wins the proportionate number od deligates.

No, seriously, at the caucauses, Obama got, with about 60% precincts reporting, Obama has about 55% of the caucaus vote.

Isn't it true that the same people passionate to come out at night are the same people who voted that day. Why the big discrepancy between day and night voting?

There's a saying, "LIVE FREE OR DIEBOLD" That's the hint.

[Neil]

May as well speculate that the little green men from mars helped Clinton. The factual evidence in this piece of tripe is about the same.

[Bubba]

Hillary is used to humiliation. She'll be fine. But the USA needs to avoid someone like that in the Whitehouse.

[TheNumantine]

There are sincere and insincere Republican voters in all Open primaries. Texas is the first one where anyone from the GOP actively encouraged insincere (Limbaugh) voters to participate. Unless someone actually conducted a poll of the motivations of these voters, it is idle speculation as to what percentage of the Republican vote was insincere. Clinton has consistently gotten a number of sincere Republican women votes in Open Primaries. In Texas she may have also gotten an additional boost from sincere Republican Latino crossovers.

Whatever the %, it was not enough to give her a boost to the nomination. Unless there is some groundshaking scandal to break between now and the convention, Obama will be the Democratic nominee and likely our next President.

[zf]

Hillary is a better candidate who is more concerned for providing solutions to help people, even now. Barack Obama is only concerned about getting into power. Look at their responses to the report of job losses:
http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN0733776720080307?virtualBrandChannel=10112

[Templeton Green]

Ask yourself this question;

If Hillary Clinton was so involved in Willy's, White House activities, and this counts a presidential experience; how did she miss out on his affair going on right under her nose?

If she can't keep track of her husband, how on earth will she manage world affairs?

This woman is scary, real scary; willing to endure any shame to sit upon the throne of power!

[Mark]

Rush isn't at all worried about helping Hillary. Rush could hope for nothing more than Hillary becoming President. Rush sells hate and division, and he's worked hard for nearly two decades building hate for Hillary, so President Clinton (2) would be great for his radio show. Example, Bill Clinton balanced the budget, which should have called for dancing in the street. Rush radio called Clinton a thief for trying to use a surplus to pay down the debt and save Social Security. Rush (and others) demanded that the Government pay back the excess and not repay one penny of the money it looted from Social Security over the years. The day Bush took office, the surplus became history. Rush doesn't really have 'issues', he just picked a side and sells unmitigated hate, and so for Rush, Hillary in the white house would be a great windfall.

[Carl]

It is this kind of liars that has kept Cult Lord Obama from being blown out by Hillary. In the same article, GOP voted for Obama by 53%:47%, yet the author argued that it was GOP that handed the victory to Hillary? You are not smarter than a first-grader!!!!
Why would GOP voted for Lord Obama in the same percentage as in WI?They've been better informed by hearing about NAFTA-gate, by watching 2 debates, yet the author pretends to not know Obama's lame excuse to refuse to debate invitation from local congressmen. Lord Obama needs the voters to be ignorant.
I guess this author should mention the late deciders in Texas voted for Hillary by 71%:28% as the evidence that these people have hijacked the primary. I guess this author is smart enough to realize this 71%:28% actually showed how disguisted people were towards Cult Lord Obama after knowing he was nothing but a cheap talking politician worse than what he promised to change.

[blue2008]

Wow, the post on the message boards certainly have changed since Texas and Ohio. Seems that the Obama supporters are in a bit of a panic since their golden boy stumbled. Now that Obama is the frontrunner will see how he and his surrogates handle it. Not to well so far. Also of note, is the level of hate and venom spewed by the Obama supporters on these boards. I have to wonder what the world will look like under a man who has the power to inspires such hate.

[BeeScott]

I dont really think it matter one way or the other. any of the presidential hopefuls are better than bush. Hopefully the ticket will read Obama-Clinton or Clinton-Obama. Otherwise I think the party will be too divided to beat McCain.

[Jason]

Why do people want it both ways? We get a watered down liberal GOP nominee from crossover voters. Then when GOP voters realize that due to American's intense fear of failure, and inability to commit to doing what's right because it's tough, that the democrats will likely win the next election. They decide to pick the lesser of 2 evils and push for a more moderate Democrat, people scream foul.
Obama is incredibly charismatic and likable, but only one thing crosses my mind when I see him. 3 million Cambodians lost their lives the last time America cut and run. How many Iraqis will die this time.

[Dayahka]

Nice, but no cigar. Hillary doesn't have a snowflake's chance in that hot place of being the nominee.