General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsCan someone 'splain this: why are we celebrating Texas primary results?
Cruz not only got twice the votes as O'Rourke(698k to 350k), he actually got more votes than all three Democrats COMBINED.
I'd love to see O'Rourke beat Cruz, but is this turnout really that encouraging? It may be better than in the past and I applaud the effort, but---????
Dawson Leery
(19,348 posts)It is still a red state.
The upswing in early voting points to a race that will not be won easily.
Still, we are the underdogs in TX.
Stallion
(6,474 posts)it appears that none of the 5 or so Democratic Counties are reporting more than 1-5% so far so numbers should close. Plus most republicans are running essentially unopposed while there are multiple more competitive Democrats running. Lets see when the big county precinct report 50-60%. Some of those rural counties have less than 100 voters. I think the number to look at is whether total Democratic votes are competitive with total Republican voters. Example, it appears in northeast Dallas County Tx-32 there has been a pretty significant Democratic vote but numbers are low right now. In Tx-32 which is Pete Sessions' District total Democratic voters are significantly higher than Sessions/Republican votes. Good numbers in Travis County (Austin) too
The real attainable goal is winning those 4 US House seats where Clinton outpolled Trump--and then win the Texas State races in those Districts too. That would be significant
a kennedy
(29,660 posts)Demsrule86
(68,567 posts)a kennedy
(29,660 posts)along with what all the other Dems did......Im thinking that the huge blue wave might just be a ripple.....but at least there are Dems running, and thats a huge positive.
Wounded Bear
(58,654 posts)It may take a couple of more cycles to flip Texas. The ground work is being done to flip the state. Turnout is the key. If we can get people to vote dem in the off year elections, we can make some progress.
Demsrule86
(68,567 posts)impressed. He was on Chris Hayes show I think.
Pope George Ringo II
(1,896 posts)And in the meantime, if Cruz manages to make himself unacceptable to Texans with something stupid this year, O'Rourke will be there to capitalize on it. We probably shouldn't see another Roy Moore disaster so soon, but if anybody can be that repulsive, Ted Cruz is the guy.
DavidDvorkin
(19,477 posts)I can't see those numbers as encouraging.
blogslut
(38,000 posts)As a Texas Democrat I've had my heart broken so many times it's held together with spit and string. Just the same I will do everything within my power to get Mr O'rourke elected. We Texas Democrats do this shit ON OUR OWN despite the naysayers, despite the odds and despite every hot take that gets flung at us.
Demsrule86
(68,567 posts)We backed Trump with bigger numbers than Georgia did...at least my small city went for Hillary...cold comfort with Trump in office. You have to have hope. Look at Virginia...all those years in GOP hands and then in 2008 Pres. Obama turned the state blue...same thing will happen with Texas.
JNelson6563
(28,151 posts)Seems to me Presidential campaigns practically live in "battleground" Ohio while many other states are completely ignored. Some get after thought like attention but oh, poor Ohio...
You can relate to all the stupid many of us cope with but you're about as far from on your own as it gets.
Just sayin'.
Demsrule86
(68,567 posts)It was a horrifying election.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)When the general gets going things will change. But to be honest....he's an incredibly good campaigner but in my humble opinion...he just seems slightly not ready. Like Cruz...when it counts will demolish him. I am in central Texas and will work hard...but not getting my hopes up....
Demsrule86
(68,567 posts)And I didn't before. He is an impressive guy...saw him on MSNBC.
Atticus
(15,124 posts)portraying the uphill battle he faces and setting ourselves up for an emotional disappointment if he loses. I'm a thousand miles away, but if closer, would work my ass off for him. Not predicting a loss; just saying it will take everyone working 24/7 and everything falling into place just right.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)And worse when GOP money comes in. What's sad is that Beto's been everywhere Cruz nowhere. Hope he takes this one and builds on it for future...he may be just a couple years too soon.
meadowlander
(4,395 posts)We also win if we capture enough of the vote to get Cruz sweating about next time and can demonstrate to other republicans a 20 or 30 point swing toward blue candidates.
The reason they are so complacent is because they think their seats are untouchable. Cruz's might be but there are a lot of republican seats that won't hold up to a 20 point swing towards the Democrats.
Yupster
(14,308 posts)That's what happened to Wendy Davis too.
Abbott took advantage of that and campaigned heavily down there in the deep Democratic area. When the whole race is fought in the Democratic area, you're in trouble.
Demsrule86
(68,567 posts)Texas is I believe is trending our way. It may take time or it could happen this year ...you never know.
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,857 posts)was so far above the early voting on the R side?
Yeah, that doesn't matter at all, especially if the R's turn out in large enough numbers come November.
Stallion
(6,474 posts)I think that's really where Texas could help Democrats regain control of the House.
Yavin4
(35,438 posts)In politics, you will lose elections, and in some states, you will lose elections often. But you REALLY lose when you don't even try. Americans won't respect you if you don't try. That's the problem with the progressive movement. We don't even try most times, and then we wonder why people don't respect us.
Winning in states where it's most likely that you win and avoiding those states where you can't DOES NOTHING to build the progressive movement.
That is correct.
Atticus
(15,124 posts)states where you can't win"?
Some of us try to be realistic and honest and not get caught up in the simple-minded hype that too many see as preferable to the truth. I'll be damned if I'll be lectured by someone who would rather oppose a strawman of their own construction than respond to what I ACTUALLY said!
bearsfootball516
(6,377 posts)It's great that we're starting to see a movement in Texas. The amount of early voting done by Democrats is extremely impressive, and it's a great start to moving the state to the left.
But as you basically said, it's worth staying realistic. Right now, Texas is still Texas, a deep red state. The progress we're making there is impressive, but the primary vote tonight makes something very clear...this is a red state and Cruz is likely going to walk to victory in November. It's great to put up opposition to him, but thinking that he'd actually lose is November is a pipe dream at best right now. Texas is still just too red.
Atticus
(15,124 posts)Yavin4
(35,438 posts)Your post started with this question which is negative in tone. We have every right to celebrate when people come out to vote for our candidates. It takes a lot to go to the polls, and you start with "why are we celebrating Texas primary results?" Not with "thank you democrats for coming out to vote. No. You start with a negative tone implying that we should not be thrilled.
It's this always "glass half empty" approach which kills the force for progress. It takes time and repeated efforts to win in a state like Texas. At one point, CA was just as Republican as TX. Through time and repeated efforts, Democrats re-took the state from the likes of Pete Wilson and Schwarzenegger.
Atticus
(15,124 posts)to continue your self-righteous niggling.
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)who handle this stuff better? The increased turnout and hugely improved results nationwide are actually something worth celebrating. Its okay if you cant handle it... but really, you should maybe stop pissing on others happiness. Your wise words are neither productive or welcome- as you can see here.
No one following these races closely is fooling themselves about our chances. Were all reading the same polls, so get over it.
Atticus
(15,124 posts)bettyellen
(47,209 posts)could learn something from the reactions youre getting here. Theyre generally kinder than youve been to people here.
Demit
(11,238 posts)Yes.
vercetti2021
(10,156 posts)Yeah this state still has brain dead morons, but we'll see how November will play out
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)Turnout. Maddow pointed out the other day even when Dems have lost- its by 20-35 points less than in the past. That puts a lot more races into play than was imagined just a year ago.
But you know, I like to see progress and dont kid myself that this shit show is going to be easy to fix.
Cha
(297,220 posts)Last edited Wed Mar 7, 2018, 02:12 AM - Edit history (1)
https://www.thedailybeast.com/beto-orourke-win-texas-senate-primary-rolls-into-fight-with-ted-cruzI like that headline.. we have our work cut out for us until November, 6, 2018!
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)LonePirate
(13,420 posts)Jane Austin
(9,199 posts)until the two big parties choose their candidates.
Why should an independent get all excited, get dressed up and stand in line to vote when they don't have a horse in the race?
Most people aren't even thinking yet about who they are going to vote for in November.
We had a lot of good Dems to vote for today.
JI7
(89,249 posts)win earlier on even when you can't win so when you do have the numbers on your side you are prepared to take advantage of it.
duforsure
(11,885 posts)One because ted Cruz voted for the tax scam and kicked millions off of their health care, and caused premium to go up, and he's also voting to destroy Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. Beto won't. Cruz is scared of trump and will never vote against him or to impeach him, Beto will. Ted Cruz is a serial liar and cannot be trusted, much like trump, where Beto will stay like he's been , an honest Rep. for the people of Texas. Now cruz is running around like a chicken with his head cut off scared of what's coming. Everybody vote!
Blue_Adept
(6,399 posts)While I'm sure a lot won't consider me hardcore, but I'm very tuned into things politics wise and consider myself fairly hardcore.
Yet I don't bother with primaries for a range of reasons because the actual party politics are incredibly frustrating. I save my energy for when the candidate is chosen in the primary and then focus on that person going forward.