Kerry won mock election at my daughter's school-- but guess what state?

[jobycom]

My daughter's school had a mock election. She's eleven, the school goes from 6-8 grade, so it's right at that age where kids are forming their opinions but still mimicking their parents. My daughter slapped a John Kerry bumper sticker on her shirt, right over her butt, for the festivities.

Kerry won the mock election. I don't know by how much, but he won, which means that there are a lot parents leaning Kerry. One thing that may influence the vote, though, is that the road to the school is lined with Kerry yard signs-- lots of Democrats in this area, even though it is a middle to upper middle class neighborhood.

What state, you ask? California? New York? Nope, try Texas. True, it's Austin, but Bush won Austin in 2000, too, and this is in Northwest Austin, the most yuppie, conservative part of the city. Murchison Middle School, for those who know Austin.

[11 Bravo]

1. I'm a teacher

and Kerry won in my building as well (249-151). Kerry also won in my kid's school. We're in Virginia.

[jobycom]

14. Then you've seen the study that say kids can spot lies better than adults?

Some study showed people videotapes of speakers, and asked them to spot which were lying. Kids were better able to spot the lies than adults, maybe because they watched the facial expressions more, and maybe because they didn't know enough to let the content of the messages interfere with their judgement.

Maybe kids just know to run away from Bush.

[11 Bravo]

23. My two sons (ages 8 and 11) watched the debates with me.

The 8 year old, while watching the first debate, thought that Bush's grimaces were a sigh of illness. My 11 year old said that nobody who blinks that much can be telling the truth. From the mouths of babes...

[WestHoustonDem]

2. Kerry's winning in Houston too

Maybe there's hope for Texas?

[jobycom]

7. I think

there is some hope of winning a few local seats that the Republicans think they have sown up. David Van Os has been telling everyone that Kerry will win Texas, but David's been campaigning for Party Chair for a long time, so he's not reliable in this.

Of course, I'm willing to believe him until proven otherwise!

Delay... that's the one I want to see gone! Every two years every newspaper and a lot of Republicans oppose him, and he wins by large margins anyway. Maybe this year...

[elehhhhna]

11. Kerry won in SugarLand, Tx (DeLay's hometown!) Elementary election!

[jobycom]

16. Wow

That may be the most erotic thing I've read all week!

[arewenotdemo]

34. lol

:kick:

[funky_bug]

3. They did a mock election in our very Red County last week

Bush won by a healthy margin... my daughter's response:

"Well, that just goes to show that 50% of Polk County kids are in need of academic remediation."

My daughter is a thirteen-year old tree-hugger, and she approves this message.

[jobycom]

4. I love your daughter!

She should meet mine!

[helpisontheway]

6. My sons said they are having

a mock election tomorrow. Of course my boys are voting for Kerry! :-)

[funky_bug]

15. They could chat online!

My kiddo is such a tree-hugging liberal! I'm so proud of her! She's quite outspoken these days, wearing her Kerry/Edwards pins to school. Last week she went to the football game and she wore a myriad of political pins. One of her friends told her she wouldn't talk to her until she took them off. My daughter's response:

"You couldn't shut up for five minutes, let alone the next eight years. Good luck keeping THAT promise. You sound just like Bush - all hat and no cattle."

[0007]

44. Good for your daughter - Your daughter will like the three minute video

Save the Forrest cartoon http://www.monsterslash.org/

Vote as if your life depended on it, because it does.

Call 866 687-8683
If Poll Workers refuse you to vote for any reason
If there is a late opening or early closing of a polling place.
If your polling place runs out of ballots or has an incorrect ballot
If you experience poll worker insensitivity or discrimination in the voting process

The civil rights community have set up a toll-free Election Day hotline. This line is
staffed now and, in addition to logging your complaint, the civil rights organizations have law
students and attorneys who can provide assistance on Election Day.

the hotline number is
866 687-8683
202 457-0473 fax

[Doohickie]

47. I have a 14-year-old son... maybe the matchmaking should begin?

I'd hate for him to fall for some conservative hussy that bats her eyelashes at him!

[displacedtexan]

5. As in Clint Murcheson??????????

I lived in Austin for five years in the 70's and watch the repugs take over the state.

Glad to see it's returning to its senses!

[jobycom]

9. No idea!

Name sounds familiar, but all I can think of is former Cowboy's owner. Should know my Texas people better than that. I know Ralph Yarborough, Henry B Gonzales, and Ann Richards... the Holy Trinity, in my book!

[displacedtexan]

48. Yep, that's the one!

Own a football team, and get a public institution of learning named after you!

[Philosophy]

8. They did a statewide mock election last week here in Alabama

* won 65% to 35%

[jobycom]

10. Maybe Texas is smarter than Alabama?

Just kidding. I grew up in Mississippi, so I'm the last one who can criticize Alabama!

Bush will win Texas easily. What it means, though, is that in the more educated parts of Texas, people are going Kerry more than the polls show. Once beyond the cowboy curtain, Bush may not be so strong.

[BamaGirl]

32. Everyone's smarter than Alabama lol

Well, like 30-40% of us have a brain lol. Kerry won 37% of the mock at our hs, and this is the heart of repug territory in Bama. This is better than Gore in 2000, so there's hope.;) The tide is turning at least.

[shelley806]

12. I came to this site because I thought Texas immediately!! No Joke.

Kerry is going to do surprisingly well here.

[elehhhhna]

18. he's got el paso cty locked up w/ 18 pt. lead. GO BLUE TEXAS!

[shelley806]

19. Yeeeee Haaaaaaa!!!!!! Go Blue TEXAS!

[Bombtrack]

13. Since 18 year olds got the right to vote, every candidate to win the youth

vote has won the election. I know that the youth vote is something different that kids who aren't old enough to vote but Kerry is going to win the youth vote big regardless. Particularly in battle ground states.

[GaryL]

17. My son attended Murchison.

An "old money" neighborhood. I'm not surprised. Austin is going for Kerry big time. I was at Costco yesterday and spoke with a gentleman who was wearing a Kerry/Edwards T. We were having a good time declaring early victory for the two Johns. They may not take Texas but we want it as close to call as possible.

[Jane Austin]

26. I tried to go to Costco yesterday

and couldn't get near the place!

Well, there were a few parking spaces left, but no hope of getting in and out in time for an appointment.

[sundancekid]

27. "TX as close to call as possible" -- how sweeeeeeeeeeet it is to hear

two of my three children attended Murchison too ... we left Austin many years ago, but we keep in touch with our friends/neighbors/colleagues.

Yes, turn TX as blue as possible (and the shrub back to his village)

[harpo]

20. kids vote like their parents...go TEXAS!!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

21. I think Kerry will take Texas and shock the shit out of Bush

[jobycom]

37. I love it when you talk dirty, sis! nt.

[Erika]

22. Kerry Wins in IDAHO school!!!

My daughter's 5th grade class voted 11 to 5 for Kerry!!

[Liberal Mommy]

24. Another Texas School for Kerry

Thought I'd finally join in here to let everyone know in my daughter's Middle School Kerry won the vote in every grade. When she got in the car she told me "Mom, the kids here are smarter than their parents." LOL We are located about 15 mins north of Austin.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

30. Welcome to DU!

:hi: :bounce: :party: :toast: :bounce:

[Jane Austin]

25. Hope your daughter comes trick or treating at my mom's tonight.

Corner of Montana Norte.

Look for the flag on the tree. :)

[Lone_Star_Dem]

28. My Daughter is a Senior in HS

She did a poll of her classmates, some of whom are voting, Kerry won 48%-44%, 8% undecided. The amazing thing about this is it's an all Republican County ticket. She said that 84% of the Seniors were willing to take part in the survey.

[jsaro]

29. Could Kerry take Texas?

I'm in Austin, too, and it's chock full of Kerry sings and bumper stickers, but that's to be expected. But I went to College Station last weekend -- heart of "Bush" country -- and I was flabbergasted at the number of KE04 yards signs. Same thing in North Dallas last month, heart of Republican darkness. WTF? I mean, it seems impossible, but who would know? Nobody has wasted any money polling in Texas. I'd be interested in your views, jobycom. You said up thread that Bush will win TX, which is certainly the expectation, but what's really going on? The early voting was just off the charts all over the state.


I guess we'll know soon enough.

Two more days.

[jobycom]

36. I don't know... If we could keep the white people from voting...

That's a joke about Bill Schneider's claims last election that if blacks hadn't voted Bush would have won easily.

There's a lot of anger at Bush, but there's a lot of support. We'll know soon enough.

I haven't seen you around in years! Have we just missed each other? I remember you from the first Texas DU get-together at Chuys.

[jobycom]

41. It's conceivable, for a more serious answer.

Texas is less than 50% white, and voter registration has been very active. Black voters even in Texas are 90% against Bush. The Hispanic vote is more evenly split. The big reason Republicans win is because whites vote in disproportionate numbers. If that changes, Bush could have problems.

Other factors-- bush has not picked up any new supporters in Texas-- those who have changed their votes are going for Kerry, not Bush, so he's losing support, not gaining it. Plus, Texas was Democrat not long ago, and most of the reasons people became Republican have been violated by Bush. Bigger deficit, runaway spending, unemployment, more governmental interference, etc.

The other side is that the cities, aside from Austin and El Paso, lean Republican, and the countryside is overwhelmingly Republican, so I don't know where the votes would come from.

I've met some strategists who say their numbers are showing a hint of a surge for Democrats. Aside from Van Os, most of them aren't bold enough to claim that Texas will go for Kerry, but most are saying, even privately, that Texas may be swinging away from the Republicans. It's hard to tell, so much is changing in voting patterns, but the change itself may be a good sign for Democrats.

I'd still be stunned if Kerry comes within ten points, but I wouldn't be too shocked if we won a few of those Congressional seats Delay expects us to lose. Or if Delay himself loses.

[jsaro]

42. Thanks for the analysis

I appreciate your input, I've been more and more curious as the election draws near. Even Westlake is blanketed with Kerry Edwards signage. Go figure. But I think you're right, the rural vote and the big cities will be heavily for Bush.

I got turned off on DU quite a while ago and switched to reading blogs. But here at crunch time, I'm finding it a good, interesting resource again. When I do occastionally lurk, I always enjoy and value your wise posts.

Keep up the good work for Texas Dems! God knows we need all the help we can get!

[jobycom]

46. LOL You're such a schmoozer!

"I always enjoy and value your wise posts." Thanks! Still sounds like schmoozing! LOL

[hippiegranny]

31. yesterday when I was out canvassing

registered Dems to remind them to vote, several kids told us that Kerry won their school mock election! yay! That is a pretty good sign that the parents are for him too.

[DuaneBidoux]

33. Austin in Shrub country? Really?!

Damn it to hell, I thought Austin was the only progressive town in the state (I'm from Houston). What a bummer. Not even one sanctuary in my adopted state.

[Piltdown13]

35. Well, there's always El Paso...

Not exactly progressive, but reliably Dem for the most part. :-)

[jobycom]

38. Parts of Austin

Some parts are Repub, some are Dem. The northwest is supposed to be Repub, though some of us have been working on that.

[Toots]

39. Kerry won in my hometown highschool election also

53% to 46% and 1% for Nader. Over Bush* by 7 percentage points. I call that a blowout. Over a thousand students voted. I live in a red state.

[ikojo]

40. A co-worker's seven year old daughter voted in a mock

election and she voted for Kerry. When her mom asked why she said "because when Kerry was on the debates he walked around on the stage and Bush just pointed." To a little kid an adult pointing looks like they are scolding someone and kids don't like that.

I thought, what an interesting observation.

[in_cog_ni_to]

43. That is so cool!

My son, also 11, should get the results of his mock election today. They voted for Obama/Keyes too. I can GUARANTEE the chimp will win. If not, DU will hear about it! ;)

[Nana]

45. My school, too, in El Paso, Tx..68% Kerry, 31% *, 1% Other n/t