Proof or Republican Cross Over Voting In Texas

[grantcart]

Those Obama supporters that have reached out to be cordial and sincere to our Clinton brothers and sister respectfully request

that the Clinton supporters now trying to undermine the election in Texas, do not insult our intelligence and shred your own dignity

by trying to suggest that the significant history that is now being written, that will be studied by our children and

grandchildren in school someday, is somehow apart of a Rovian scheme, a Limbaugh strategy, a Hannerty surprise or any other

dribbel about significant Republican conspiracies.

Please don't trash what the democrats, your brothers and sisters in our party, are doing in Texas, it isn't going to change what

anybody thinks is happening about there, it will only change what people think about you.

Texas is in fact going to count. It all ends in Texas and there isn't going to be any asterisks or explanations or excuses.

If any other candidate had lost 11 straight elections they would have been laughed out of the race and ridiculed without mercy.

Senator Clinton has earned an extra inning to make it absolutely conclusive. But as we approach this final moment do not try and

seed the excuses for failure unless you really intend to ignite bitter and deep lasting resentment among us. In a word:

TEXAS IS GOING TO COUNT.


To the Clinton supporters who have made witty and engaging combat in a positive and intellectually honest way I say I respect your

committment and passion for Senator Clinton. Good Luck





http://mothermavenhaven.blogspot.com/2008/02/would-you-walk-73-miles-to-vote.html

[JimGinPA]

1. Great Pics

:headbang:

[writes3000]

2. Amazing photos. I don't want to insult Clinton supporters.

I do agree with your main point. You can't look at those pictures and honestly believe that the majority of those folks are Hannity listeners, etc.

It's intellectually false, IMO.

[grantcart]

4. Neither do I, you may have missed this sentence

To the Clinton supporters who have made witty and engaging combat in a positive and intellectually honest way I say I respect your

committment and passion for Senator Clinton. Good Luck

[writes3000]

28. I don't even want to insult the other ones

Although those people on both sides drive me batty.

Anyway, I just trying to avoid adding to a flame war. Sorry if you felt I was miscategorizing your post.

Thanks again.

[grantcart]

35. No no I appreciate your sentiments.

I feel that I have tried to scrutinize my own words and become more polite and magnanamous in talking with the Clinton supporters.

But what is happening is that after drawing the line in the sand they are now trying to erase it. Not only is the popular vote going

to be very close, Obama will have an advantage in the caucuses. Hillary is not going to get a delegate advantage in Texas her "must

win state". So ahead of the election they are sewing the seeds that they can build on that it is not a real victory, that Texas

doesn't count.

On the other hand huge things are happening in Texas. From my congressional district in San Diego ten volunteers have gone to spend

2 weeks there.

I believe that what is now happening in Texas will someday have the significance, in reverse, of the Dred Scott Decision. I believe

it is historic. Loging on and finding 5 different threads implying that something funny is going on tells me that this is not an

accidental tact but is something you will be seeing more and more of. Just like the "cult thing" came in a wave and then was gone.

If Clinton supporters advance this argument in ernest after Obama wins Texas it will in fact be the final straw and cause a hardening

of feelings within the party with real conflict possible.

I wanted to send a shot across their bow, politely and nicely saying, if you try and make this argument we are prepared for it and

we intend to respond in force.

[writes3000]

29. I don't even want to insult the other ones

Although those people on both sides drive me batty.

Anyway, I just trying to avoid adding to a flame war. Sorry if you felt I was miscategorizing your post.

Thanks again.

[RazBerryBeret]

3. great post...

great photos! I'm so excited to be a Democrat this year---this is going to be our year!

and all the conspiracy theories are out of hand. We've become so henny-penny-the-sky-is-falling....

[texas_indy]

5. Excellent thread! Thanks for posting the pictures. (nt)

[ashling]

6. Proof of WHAT?

This is not proof of anything. If so, please indicate how it is supposed to proove anything.

Look, I'm no Hillary supporter, in fact her people are doing everything they can to get me to vote for Obama. But really!

This is a diatribe, nothing more, nothing less.

[ProSense]

7. "This is not proof of anything." Yes it is:

Obama is drawing some impressively large crowds.

[ashling]

13. I was obviously referring to the claim made

by the original poster as to "Proof of Republican crossover voting in Texas"

There are no captions to any of the pictures. They are great pictures, but how do these in any way proove the arguement. The only text in the op is at most a plea to Hillary people for something, but again, does not address the subject line of the post.

I am just in favor of truth in posting.

[grantcart]

18. The subject line is sardonic, and therefore truthful as it exposes

the truth that people who are expecting to find such proof before an election has taken place as being gullible.

[grantcart]

14. My friend 30,000 people in Austin setting records for attendence

at a political rally and students walking 7.5 miles to make sure people understood how committed they are is in fact proof.

what is not proof is making all of these allegations of republican conspiracies to vote Obama in and try to undermine the mandate he

is building.

Now you are correct in that it is not absolute proof. Absolute proof will come on March 5th when you can match precinct by precinct

record historical turnouts in heavily democratic neighborhoods.

Those analysis are already being done

















District by District it has all been modled out - no need for wacky rw conspiracies

But I will leave you with the logic of Carl Sagan. The claim of a conspiracy is an extraordinary claim. Extraordinary claims

require extraordinary proof.


Go ahead you bring your theories fine - you bring the proof. I have just given you a friendly warning that the people in Texas have been working on this for a very long time. They know what they are doing

[thoughtcrime1984]

21. I commend you for your efforts!

Very interesting data, shows that even with a Hispanic surge that breaks heavily for Hillary, she may have trouble breaking even in delegates. I hope it goes something like that or maybe it'll even break a little more favorably for Obama.

[ashling]

33. Your subject line seems to indicate that

you are offering some kind of proof that there is Republican crossover voting in Texas

Maybe you are truing to proove the opposite. That is not the way I understood the subject line.

Either way, your pictures (which, BTW, are great pictures - I love the ones of the students in Waller County) but they don't proove anything about Republican crossover Voting. They proove that Obama is getting large crowds and some serious committment from supporters, African-Americans, students, Latinos, children (not voters).

And, hey, I am happy about all of that. I was - and am - obviously an Edwards supporter and I have heretofore tried to stay out of this. My reasoning was that I was going to have to get behind whichever one and I wasn't going to get emotionally involved. However, there will be an Obama sticker going on my truck very soon.

[crispini]

46. grantcart, if you got that work from Burnt Orange Report, you should really credit the original.

It looks very much like the work done in this diary:
http://www.burntorangereport.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=5110

The author deserves to get credit; that's some hard work.

[grantcart]

52. The good news is that there are now several places on the internets

where you can find it simply by googling student + walk + vote. I tried to find the original thread in GDP to give that poster credit but could not find it. Thank you for pointing out its original source. What I am wondering about is if they are going to walk back for the caucus. Now that it is a well known event a return on carcus day would probably get a huge media draw.

[grantcart]

54. sorry I thought you were referring to the photos of the Texas kids

These grafts are originally done by TexansforObama.com, or atleast that's where I got it

http://blog.texansforobama.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=AED0781D3814A37DAA1FAF08167D0A83?diaryId=891]


It is a very interesting post

[crispini]

55. Looks like the same poster, "MattTX" in both places.

Indeed, it is very interesting!

http://blog.texansforobama.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=891

[grantcart]

59. Matt has been busy - think his SO must be jealous lol

What is significant about the Obama campaign is it appears that there are legions of guys like Matt who seem to be self motivated and originally independent of the campaign who have showed so much independent creative power. Of course somebody will try to compare that with "I got an email from a guy I know who thinks the KKK should vote for Obama and thats why he is winning"

[lligrd]

8. Nice Photos.

Thanks for sharing. Gobama!!

[TwilightGardener]

9. I am always moved by Obama's crowds--not just the size and enthusiasm of them, but

the mix of faces--all ages, all colors. I'll bet he and Michelle are humbled and moved by it.

[Blue State Bandit]

10. A view of the Republican Crossover.

I have seen this tactic used ever since the first major open primary contest in S. Carolina in which it became apparent that Indie's and Republicans were crossing over to vote for Obama.

There has been a conservative effort by some, (as far as I've seen not from the Clinton Campaign). The huge wins in such contests have been marginalized by many Clinton supporters using this very fact.

As a matter of fact, I do see a half truth in this "meme". I believe that there is a growing minority withing the Republican party that hopes for an Obama nomination. But it is not for the reasons promoted my the more militant supporters of Clinton's candidacy.

Many moderate Republicans, disillusioned by the neo-conservative movement that has taken over their party, are humbled by the respect they perceive coming from Obama and his surrogates. They know that Obama doesn't represent their core social and economic ideals, but are willing to overlook this simply because they do not feel as though they are being talked down to.

Considering their options, and how bent over they felt after the Bush administration, an up front honesty from a candidate trumps their other two choices; firebrand disrespect from a Clinton Campaign, or bald-faced liars from any Republican garnering support from the old GOP guard.

This pattern also ring in my ear concerning Clinton and the old Guard GOP and the neo-cons. Now I admit, this is only conjecture, but don't be surprised when the GOP and the Neo-Cons start saying that they wished they had Clinton over Obama. This has already begun in the far reaches of the right-wing.

Coulter and Rush have already said as much, though it was expressed publicly as an anti-Mc Cain sentiment. But if you use the same "math" as those "Obamacan Retractors", it could be said that the outward backslapping of Obama by the likes of Luntz and Buchanan could be an attempt to scare Democrats into the arms of the Clinton camp. Their possible logic would be that a Clinton/DLC administration would be more sympathetic to the neo-conservative wing of the Republican party.

This I do know, their will be no easy path for any Democrat in '08. So before you go into that voting booth, use your head, so that when you get into that booth, you can use your heart.

(on edit I reworded this "though not visible to me, by Clinton's campaign I may have missed something" in paragraph 2 so that it made sense, and would not be misconstruded)


(cross posted at the bottom of some other lost thread on this subject)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4722435

[grantcart]

15. thank you for your thoughtful post

[izzybeans]

11. Pics of the Vast Left Wing Conspiracy

[NanceGreggs]

12. FANTASTIC WORDS ...

... FANTASTIC PICS!!!


:woohoo: :applause: :woohoo: :applause: :woohoo:

[my3boyz]

17. The most awesome pictures ever! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ClayZ]

16. WoooHoooo! Yay, Texas!! Bravo!

K and R

Great Post and Great Photos. Thank you!

[FrenchieCat]

19. Beautiful Photos.......

really gorgeous!

[grantcart]

39. I appreciated your other post. I think any attempt to undermine

the results by talking about a republican conspiracy must be vigorously confronted

[Tarheel_Dem]

20. Beautiful pics, and isn't that George Lopez? Is he an Obama man?

If so, how cool is that?

[grantcart]

23. He is working down there full time

a well known Republican operative lol

[Tarheel_Dem]

26. LMAO...

The Austin crowd has to be off the charts. I remember when Bill Clinton could attract crowds this size, and let's face it, Hillary's no Bill Clinton. I still like Bill, but I'm afraid he may have done some irreparable damage to his legacy. But he is the comeback kid, and in due time, maybe we'll all come together again.

Thanks again for sharing these pics.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

25. Interesting fact re: George Lopez

He wanted to support a Democrat and actually got miffed because neither Obama nor Clinton sought his support in California.

Obama's people finally had the sense to snatch him up for Texas. Good move on their part since he's a beloved icon here among the Latino population.

Bad move on Hillary's people for letting him slip through their fingers.

[Tarheel_Dem]

31. that's why i think Obama can win the general, he leaves no stone

unturned. This man has put together a machine from scratch that has blown the competition out of the water, and approaching a million donors? That's leadership...and I feel confident that he can lead the country out of this awful mess we find ourselves in right now.

And George Lopez's support will probably help some undecideds to make up their minds.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

42. His campaign was on the ball on this one

Lopez reached out to both of them to be fair. He didn't choose one over the other, he really just wanted to do what he could to help GOTV in the Latino community. He's really a good guy and I've come to respect him even more recently.

Hillary and Obama had the same opportunity, yet for some reason her staff didn't see the benefit in embracing Lopez's offer. In my opinion it was a foolish oversight on their part. He's very popular in Texas and there was nothing to lose, and much to gain by accepting the offer.

Hillary's campaign staff are lacking in several areas if you ask me. If she ends up losing I think it will be more the result of poor staff than a poor candidate. They've really let her down.

[Eurobabe]

22. Great photos, thanks

I am working on a montage for Obama. :)

[grantcart]

24. this is a great site these guys are crazy

http://blog.texansforobama.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=891

[GarbagemanLB]

27. Absolutely amazing.

[TexasObserver]

30. I see you have the march of the Prairie View students to the Waller county courthouse.

What is happening in Texas right now is historic beyond words. One of my adult children teaches at a university here in Texas, and gives me his reports on what is going on there. My kids hardcore Democrats, too, having been raised RIGHT.

We're long time, serious, Texas Democrats.

We are so excited about what is taking place here. I've never seen blacks in Texas so proud, so ready to participate. And young anglos and latinos are excited now in a way I feared they might never be.

I get reports from people I know about the events of Hillary and Bill, and they're small events with predominantly older Texans, and by that, I mean my age and older. They're mainly older whites, with a smattering of blacks. Of course, they're drawing Hispanics south of El Paso to Corpus, but even in those South Texas venues, the crowds are smaller than Obama draws in the same region.

If Clinton supporters want to try to minimize that, fine. But the tsunami is coming, and it's going to be a big win for Obama in Texas.

[grantcart]

36. has anyone heard what they are going to do for the caucus?

I think they should plan to walk again and this time have the media aware of it. It will be like Selma in reverse.

[TexasObserver]

40. Haven't heard, but they need to be there at 6:55 PM to be ready to get in.

And they need to come with plenty of video cameras to record everything that goes on.

And media to catch them on video going in. Those Waller county assholes have been putting this shit for decades with those students.

[Johnny__Motown]

32. more proof here (Houston)

This is a cut and paste from Obama group


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=388x2739

[grantcart]

38. fantastic its seems almost as if Texas is trying to redeem itself

for Bush

[Lone_Star_Dem]

41. Shut your mouth!

These are our Democrats. These are not Republicans. They have nothing to redeem themselves for when it comes to bush. Many of them don't usually bother to get out and vote in a primary because their votes don't count, or so they're told over and over again. When it comes to the GE they'll be told that once again this year they don't matter. We Democrats in Texas will be left to motivate them and attempt to rally them to the polls. Without any support from the party.

This primary they matter. Their votes count and they're being told their views and concerns are relevant to the Democratic Party.

What you're witnessing is the result of political oppression being lifted, even if it's only briefly, from some very angry and motivated Texas Democrats. Do not disrespect these people until you've had to walk a mile in their shoes. It's easy to to be a Democrat in a state that matters. You're courted, you get campaign money and Democratic officials listen to you. Not so in a state that has been dismissed as irrelevant.

Let these people shine, even if it's only for a moment. Today they're proud to be Texas Democrats.

[crispini]

47. Thank you!

Well said.

[grantcart]

51. Which of couse is the point of my post.

[crispini]

56. It's annoying to be told we have to "redeem ourselves"

We have nothing to apologize for. We didn't vote for the %$#@%#@@!!##@##!!!

[readmoreoften]

34. Austin is the perfect storm for Obama but one of the smallest cities here. Don't get too excited yet

Austin is the largest college town in the US with enrollment capped at 50,000 undergrads a year.

It is largely white and libertarian (with a high number of Mexican nationals and Mexican-Americans but because it is a college town with no affirmative action the university is overwhelmingly white.) It is almost the perfect storm here in Austin for Obama.

But Austin is not the biggest city here. In fact, there are only about 800,000 people in Austin. Many people in Austin aren't from Texas--in fact, 30% of the houses sold are to Californians.

Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio are many many times larger--Houston being the 4th largest city in America. The rest of Texas is extremely Republican suburban eras and DEEP country.

In the other urban areas, I suspect Clinton will do well with white and latino women, as well as latino men, and the very large asian community and the enormous, slightly conservative gay (mostly male) community in Dallas. Obama will do well with the almost entirely segregated African-American section of the city and the relatively small number of straight white men who vote Democratic. Same in Houston. San Antonio probably has as many Mexican-Americans as Anglos and few African-Americans.

I live in a latino and Black section of town and there are only Hillary and Ron Paul signs in people's yards. Yes, you heard right. And more Ron Paul signs than Hillary signs at that.

Clinton might lose Texas, but this could also be due to the deep hatred of the Clintons by many rural Democrats. I saw a sign on a Democrat's car (A DEMOCRAT) that said "re-defeat communism in 08" with a slash through Clinton's face. The college kids will vote for Obama because they think he's progressive. The conservative country Democrats will vote for Obama because they think Clinton is a hardcore communist and extreme leftist.

At least that's what's going on with the people I see.

[grantcart]

37. You must go to the link below and see what these people have done

They have analyzed every single district in agonizing detail and it seems with detached professionalism. At this point they are looking at a 52 - 48 Clinton/Obama win with a tie in delegates. But it is early and then there is the caucus.

You will really like the quality of the analysis here. I don't know squat about Texas. But I do know a highly professional machine when I see one. These guys are smoking and that is why they can raise 30,000 folks - in 24 hours.


http://blog.texansforobama.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=891

[TexasObserver]

61. Disagree. DO GET EXCITED. Austin is in Travis County, and it WILL go for Obama.

Same for Houston and Dallas. And Travis County has between 950,000 and 1,000,000 residents. Harris county has 4 million. Dallas County has 2.5 million. Bexar County has 1.5 mil.

Travis county will solidly vote Obama, as will Harris and Dallas Counties. He'll split Bexar county.

I'm not sure why you say "don't get excited yet." Obama is winning Texas, and he'll win all the big cities, BIG. Austin is a great city, but if you want to know what's going in Texas, Austin is not the place to be. Austin is a great little town, but it has a dose of what Washington, DC does - a tendency to think it IS Texas.

From your description of your community, you must live in either southeast or east Austin. Riverside? Springdale? Manor Road? Oltorf? Between East 1st and MLK? Or near one of those, would be my guess.

[TexasObserver]

74. Addendum to my prior post: You make many very good points, and I acknowledge that.

I was in a hurry earlier, and my prior post is unnecessarily harsh. You made excellent points, and I should have started my earlier post with those comments, and agreeing with much of your post. But I tend to jump on my advocacy horse and ride - ride like the wind.

Anyway, I value your comments and to the extent I was being boorish, please accept my apology.

[cottonseed]

43. Very nice read. Thanks for taking time on the pics too.

Everyone appreciates it. Also, after reading too many DU posts trying to convince me it's all an illusion, it's nice to see the real world posted on the boards for all to see.

[kristopher]

44. Regular folks now know the GOP does not serve their real interests. Bush showed 'em

Regular folks now know the GOP does not serve their real interests. Bush showed 'em that the true face of "compassionate conservatism" is so ugly that oly it's filthy rich mothers could love it. They are done being manipulated by their religion, hate and fears.
The trend away from the Republicans was obvious to the rabid right's media machine and this "cross over" meme is a smoke screen by the Limbaugh type talking heads to confuse the issue. It serves to mask this shift under the cover of a "secret movement". This, in turn, bolsters the diminishing relevance of the heretofore talk radio king makers. Their failure to install their anointed Romney as the party's delegate is a severe blow to their existence and they are trying to leave it behind them.

Will some dittoheads cross over and vote for Obama? Yes they will.

Does that negate the well documented shift in voter preference away from the Republicans? Not one bit.

[Major Hogwash]

45. Outstanding post!

Only a dozen days left.

[grantcart]

53. Yes but do you think it is a dozen days until the nomination is

confirmed or a dozen days until we see dozens of threads that it is again a bogus victory because of a rightwing conspiracy?

[Major Hogwash]

79. A little of both. Obama has a lot of appeal to independent voters who don't register for either

party. He is an alternative to the war, whether it is Hillary promoting it or McCain. He is the only one talking about hope for the future. He has developed plans that not only can work, but are realistic.

He's been drawing crowds from people who have never gotten involved in the process before. Jonathan Alter was on teevee talking about it. There's no way to fight the tidal wave that is coming in the fall. There is a movement out there to change politics "as we know it" to doing the right thing.

People relate to that.
There is a connection between the people and Obama that they can't understand.
It's not just a vision for a better world tomorrow, it is a set of working solutions to end the gridlock in Washington.

Obama is fairly new to the Washington scene, and he can make the case that he is not a Washington insider. Neither Hillary or McCain can make that claim.

The day of politics of personal destruction was heavily criticized by one Clinton, and yet used by the other Clinton. They have shed any doubt about their true agenda.

[usrbs]

48. I know for a fact that Republicans are being urged to cross over, but just for the primary.

I personally saw the same thing in Massachusetts, and have talked with friends in Texas. I'm talking about die-hard Republicans who will never vote D in the general, but who are taking advantage of the chance to vote against Hillary.

I'm not sure that's something to celebrate.

[jasmine621]

49. I know a number of these people myself...some in my own family.

Where there are less than 3% margins in Obama's favor, their votes are significant. Anything over 3%, I give to Obama on his own.

I am really troubled by fellow DUers and Obama supporters who try to intimidate those of us who have thoughts along these lines for expressing our thoughts. We are accused of trying to rob ourselves of some historical glory here or worse yet, juts being evil Hillary supporters. Last time I looked it was Obama and Michelle publically offering us "un-hope" about Hillary. Michelle having to think really hard about supporting a Clinton nomination should she win and Obama telling us that he was certain that Hillary supporters would vote for in a general election but he wasn't sure she could get his voters to vote for her. In both cases these comments were made in highly visible public forums and made the evening news. That showed me a side of the Obama campaign that I will not soon forgive...even though I will vote for him if he wins the nomination. So please don't lecture me about my own thinking thwarting the Obama mania that I see. Telling voters why they should vote for you is one thing. Telling voters, as the frontrunner, that you will find it hard to vote for a fellow Dem and almost asking your supporters to not vote for the other Dem candidate shouls she win the nomination is quite another thing.

[grantcart]

57. But the point is that he has been winnnig by 15-25 points

[Irishonly]

67. There Can't Be That Many Repukes Crossing Over

I admit I was concerned reading about republicans being told to vote for Obama as a vote against Hillary. Then I realized his margin of victory was too big, much too big for it to be true. He has inspired young people to register to vote and come out for him. It's the old farts like me that must keep them encouraged. The primary season can be exciting and fast. The campaigning for the general can seem to go on forever.

[grantcart]

50. And are you now seriously arguing that Barack Obama has

achieved 11 primary victories as the result of a Republican consipiracy?

[hendo]

58. but of course

If Hillary isnt winning it must be due to the Republican conspiracy. Why else would anyone support Obama?

:sarcasm:

I love the pictures by the way. It is refreshing to see young people getting involved in the political process again.

[grantcart]

77. kicked again because the stupid threads about rep conspiracies

undermining the Texas results are back

[Tom Rinaldo]

60. See Below. There is genuine powerful proof of voters becoming enthused FOR Obama, BUT

These are wonderful photos. Obama has wonderful support. But there is also proof of efforts being made by some supporters of Obama to get Republicans to Vote in the Democratic primary for Obama JUST to eliminate Hillary Clinton - with an appeal that does not even pretend to be pro Obama at heart. By that I mean it openly courts Republicans to vote for Obama to get rid of Clinton knowing full well that they will vote for McCain in the fall:

"Republicans for Obama
E-mail to send to Texas Republicans

Attention All Texas Republicans and Independents!!

On March 4th, Texas Republicans and Independents will have an opportunity to end Hillary Clinton's (and Bill's) presidential ambitions once and for all!

Since Texas has on open primary, Republicans and Independents should sign in at their polling place and request a Democratic ballot. They should then vote for Barack Obama. Even James Carville admits that if Hillary loses Texas, "she's done!" Republicans can help make this a reality!!! Just think, no more Clintons in the White House!

Voting Democratic this one time will have NO effect on your ability to vote in the next Republican primary or obviously on your vote in November. Since John McCain has the Republican nomination locked up, voting for McCain or Huckabee at this point will have no effect on the outcome on the Republican side... "
http://republicansforobama.org/?q=node/359

[grantcart]

62. I think that the strategy of trying to get people to vote "temporarily"

in another party's primary is wrong and so that the email is unfortunate. It is however not evidence of an effective Republican effort to determine (or have any significant effect) on Obama's great 11 victories and the threads that are being posted are an attempt to discredit Texas results so that an argument can be launched on Mar 5th that FL and MI should be seated because unlike these victories they represent 'real democrats'

It maybe that the leadership of Republicans for Obama is not getting its best foot forward because its director, a Republican with a history of working on the 'liberal' side of their party is now deployed in Afghanistan.

Director

John Martin is the Co-founder and Director of RepublicansforObama.org. He lives in The Bronx, New York, where he is a law student and a United States Navy Reservist.

John was active in his high school's Young Republicans Club and became a registered Republican shortly after his 18th birthday. After graduating with honors from Binghamton University, John interned and worked for Senator James Jeffords (R-I) of Vermont, and then received an MA in Political Science from Columbia University. He has worked on both local and national election campaigns.

John is currently serving on active duty in Afghanistan and will return in the Spring of '08.

[grantcart]

63. on further examination I now understand that this is not an email that

is being sent by Republicans for Obama but simply a post in a forum by a single individual who in fact could be a Clinton supporter trying to create problems

[Tom Rinaldo]

68. That is very fair to note

From going back and reading, reaction to it has been mixed - with some members thinking it is an allowable political tactic and others feeling it is wrong. But the fact remains that this ready to copy email message remains up at Republicans for Obama for any members who want to use it to copy and circulate on their own.

Administrators there, just like at DU, have the means to remove messages that they believe undercut what their site stands for. This is more than just an opinion being expressed in a post - it is a proposed ready made organizing tool that still is being hosted by Republicans for Obama for any and all to circulate. No doubt if this becomes a negative media story they can claim it wasn't official and take it down then, but they have left it up and available to their members to use for now. And some of the members seem to like the idea.

[grantcart]

70. well if you scrolled down far enough then you saw my suggestion

that it was a Clinton plant which is just as substantial as the original post. All of this minutae is undermining a couple of central facts


a)Obama is winning huge

b)Obama's support is largely from Dem with some Ind and fewer Rep

c)Of the rep votes for Obama a significant percent are from reps that want to elect him

If there was a well organized compaign amongst reps to influence the elections since Feb5th then you would expect that Obama's primary margins of victory would be greater than his caucus margins of victory but the opposite is true 69% to 63%

[Tom Rinaldo]

71. Actually caucuses are always more subject to dramatic result shifts

and forces that influence them in that way. I did a mini study on that:

Ron Paul '08: A Primary vs Caucus Results Case Study
http://www.mydd.com/story/2008/2/10/92130/2524#readmore

[Crank_It_Up]

64. I'm a republican for Obama

I don't need any proof, I just have to look in the mirror. Nobody urged me to vote for Obama over Hillary. FYI, I would have voted for my pet beagle over either Clinton. But in taking a look at the Candidates on both sided of the aisle, I see Barack as the best hands down. So much so that I will vote (D) for the first time.

Yuck... hope this doesn't become a habit, lol.

[GarbagemanLB]

65. That admission might cause you some problems here on DU...but thank you for supporting Obama.

[grantcart]

66. Here is proof that the email noted above is a Clinton plant

This thread and email are perfect ammunition for Clinton. It is being used in a major way to create anger amongst democrats and is having a significant impact.

If you want to support Obama in the primary and the general but to vote "temporarily" in the primary to vote for someone else in the general is unethical and stands against what Obama stands for.

This email fits Clinton interests so well that I wonder if anyone can vouch for the poster or if he is in fact a Clinton poser who is trying to create a negatiive image of Obama


http://republicansforobama.org/?q=node/359#comment-2047

Of course I have to tell you that that is an email I sent, which just goes to the point that the original email that everyone is quoting is either from an idiot who happens to support Obama (or if you believe him he's anti-Clinton) or he is a Clinton supporter or staff member who is trying to cause evidence to support today's "talking point"

[Tom Rinaldo]

69. That isn't proof of anything whatsoever. It is just an opinion being expressed

I can't blame the organization if a stray poster posts something (I don't know whether that poster is an active member - maybe yes maybe no) but they are responsible for the content on their site. The anti Clinton pro Obama email posted was not just an expression of a personal opinion - it was being provided as an organizing tool to be used in Texas and in fact it can be used as that type of tool by anyone who copies it and passes it on. Based on SOME of the replies I expect some will likely use it while others condem it. It remains available at that site.

[grantcart]

73. That was my point it is my own post - and that is exactly how

significant the original post was. I have sent an email to the head of Republicans for Obama but it may be slow for him to respond - he is currently serving in the reserves in Afghanistan.

The letter should be pulled but the fact that it hasn't is simply evidence of a amatuerish run forum (as opposed to how well you guys run this one).

What bothers me about this and the dozen threads that have erupted today is one of proportion. Yes its stupid but it is also irrelevent. Yesterday 30,000+ attended a rally in Austin that had exactly 24 hours of preparation. The lack of proportion and the attempt to undermine these significant historical events is unfortunate and cheapens our debate here. After each of Obama's victory the next day we are presented a rationale why the events of the previous day were not significant and that the campaign must continue.(That this email serves that purpose so perfectly makes me wonder if that was not the author's original intent.)

We are not able to stop every stupid email on every forum. All I hope to do is to stop the assertion of these threads that what is happening is not legitimate. Texas will count.


(BTW people on the forum are now asking about how the email is being used to harm Obama so maybe it will soon be off)

[Tom Rinaldo]

75. Obama's campaign has been extremely well run, it is very impressive

and I mean that sincerely. Also I really want to thank you for taking an initiative to attempt to have that suggested email removed from the site. Just for the record, I have nothing more to do with how DU is run than you do

[Lisa0825]

72. Welcome to DU!

You will see... it all starts with one vote.... then as the country improves year by year, you will realize you've gradually become a full-fledged DEMOCRAT! LOL~

Welcome to the Party! :pals:

[grantcart]

76. I appreciate your statement and can understand your interest in

voting for Obama, but what brought you in here?

[grantcart]

78. just curious why come in here?