Can someone 'splain this: why are we celebrating Texas primary results?

[Atticus]

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]

1. Kookie Cruz wins in the mid single digits.

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]

2. Republican Rural County Precints Are Being Reported First

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]

5. Thanks, and just getting Dems to run in Texas is a good thing.

[Demsrule86]

13. I agree.

[KPN]

8. Cool!

[a kennedy]

3. I kinda was wondering that as well......

along with what all the other Dems did......I’m thinking that the huge blue wave might just be a ripple.....but at least there are Dems running, and that’s a huge positive.

[Wounded Bear]

7. Can't win if you don't even run...

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]

15. Regardless, I think O'Rourke has a bright future ahead in the Democratic Party...I was very

impressed. He was on Chris Hayes show I think.

[Pope George Ringo II]

23. Agree wholeheartedly on getting the ball rolling

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]

4. Agreed

I can't see those numbers as encouraging.

[blogslut]

6. Because Beto has a real actual chance

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]

11. Listen I live in Ohio...so I feel your pain.

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]

38. But Ohio gets courted more than any other.

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]

41. We went for Trump in great numbers than Georgia. Not sure if we will be courted next time.

It was a horrifying election.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

18. I saw him speak a couple weeks ago. I think

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]

9. I think he has a shot.

And I didn't before. He is an impressive guy...saw him on MSNBC.

[Atticus]

17. I agree he "has a shot". I'm just concerned we are not accurately

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]

19. If we are realistic...you are right... incredible longshot

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]

31. It's not all about winning the actual seat.

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]

37. I don't like how he lost so many counties in the valley

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]

42. I will be disappointed. I am always disappointed...but we have to keep trying.

Texas is I believe is trending our way. It may take time or it could happen this year ...you never know.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

10. Is this the part of Texas where early voting on the D side

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]

12. Focus on the US House Races Highlighted by NY Times at Top

I think that's really where Texas could help Democrats regain control of the House.

[Yavin4]

14. Why do you have to be a wet blanket?

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.

[Demsrule86]

16. 1000

That is correct.

[Atticus]

20. Jesus H. Christ! Who in hell suggested we "not try"? Who mentioned "avoiding

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]

21. You're very much correct.

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]

22. Thank you. nt

[Yavin4]

27. Your quote: "why are we celebrating Texas primary results?"

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]

29. I'm sorry you are unable to respond to my post and feel compelled

to continue your self-righteous niggling.

[bettyellen]

30. It sounds like you have been burned getting your hopes up and are over protective of others....

who handle this stuff better? The increased turnout and hugely improved results nationwide are actually something worth celebrating. It’s okay if you can’t 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. We’re all reading the same polls, so get over it.

[Atticus]

33. Condescend much? nt

[bettyellen]

35. I think your projections on folks here who are happy today is pretty condescending.... and you

could learn something from the reactions you’re getting here. They’re generally kinder than you’ve been to people here.

[Demit]

39. "Is this turnout really that encouraging?"

Yes.

[vercetti2021]

24. Well gotta start somewhere

Yeah this state still has brain dead morons, but we'll see how November will play out

[bettyellen]

25. Im celebrating an energized electorate! Its quite nice to see such a

Turnout. Maddow pointed out the other day even when Dems have lost- it’s 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 don’t kid myself that this shit show is going to be easy to fix.

[Cha]

28. Beto ORourke Wins Texas Senate Primary, Rolls Into Fight With Ted Cruz

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-cruz

I like that headline.. we have our work cut out for us until November, 6, 2018!

[bettyellen]

32. Yeah I think its nice to see the increased turnout! Hopefully it will be even better in November!

[LonePirate]

26. Are Independents and No Party Affiliation voters allowed to vote in TX primaries?

[Jane Austin]

34. Yes, but they aren't really involved,

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]

36. California wasn't always Solid Blue . things take time and it's easier if you put in the effort to

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]

40. Beto is gaining a lot of ground

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]

43. Primaries are for the hardcore and those that are paying super close attention for the most part

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.