Texas is turning BLUE!!!!!

[flamin lib]

edit to add: Doing a small re-write and posting to GD.

Hill Research Consultants, a Houston-based Republican polling firm, recently conducted a poll of active voters and the news isn’t good for GOP in Texas.

Half the respondents believe Texas is on the wrong track.

On every measure the GOP brand is less appealing than the Democratic brand.

Respondents say the GOP is out of touch and is more interested in looking out for special interests than the common good.

When voters were asked which party "champions the needs of homeowners, small businesses and average taxpayers” Democrats score 13 points higher than Republicans.

Republicans lead in negative characterizations like arrogant, racist, corrupt, and angry by double-digit margins. Dems lead by double digits on positive descriptions like "smart," "fair," "innovative" and "party of the future."

Even the people who self identify as Republicans don’t like the party in its current state. The old divisive issues of abortion, prayer and bigotry don’t appeal to the emerging Republican base, mostly young suburbanites who aren’t church oriented and are centered around the Dallas metroplex. Much of the state has gone Democratic in emerging party affiliation.

From the article in the Dallas Morning News, “A party that ends up only talking to itself is a party that cannot change. A party that cannot change lacks the means of its conservation. Texas Republicans have a decision to make. A demographic tide is rolling across what was once the reddest state. The troubled party can choose to roll with it – or watch their prospects drown in a deep blue sea.”

Now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of their party. Donate, volunteer, write letters to the editor and talk to your neighbors. Be Democrat and be proud of it, show it with bumper stickers and put candidate’s signs in your yard when the time comes. Be visible! You are not alone!

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/viewpoints/stories/DN-dreher_04edi.State.Edition1.25b83af.html

[sonias]

1. Our job is to get them out to vote

And to provide them a choice. When we don't recruit Democratic candidates to run, voters don't get a choice.

:kick:

Sonia

[Streen]

2. ...

The Democratic Party in Texas needs to also make its presence known. While it's good to have foot soldiers, generals are needed too.

One of the problems I have with the party right now is the lack of an online presence, especially in rural areas. My current county headquarters has moved, but I have no idea where. The Party heads need to make sure every county has a Party website, with a plan oriented toward the precinct level.

We need to make sure to cover everything, not simply just roll the dice. There's going to be some who don't want to talk to someone about the Party, feeling more comfortable to go online and check out a website, news articles, etc. Then when they're ready, they go to a physical location and talk to a person ready to help them. The opposite is true, too. There needs to be a physical location that shows a presence and a choice in the county, the city, the town, and the precinct.

It's time to take advantage of the moment, take initiative, and not be the same old Party we've always been. Otherwise, the state will never be blue.

[sonias]

3. Welcome to DU Streen!

:hi:

Totally agree. Every county should get some organization. Just like Howard Dean championed the 50 state strategy, Texas should have a 254 county strategy.

Sonia

[sonias]

4. Different poll but very good news too

AAS 6/23/09
Poll finds economy top concern for Texans

AUSTIN, Texas — Texans overwhelmingly believe the economy is the most important issue facing the country and expect gloomy conditions to get worse, according to the nonpartisan Texas Lyceum Poll released Tuesday.

The poll, which annually tests Texans' attitudes on current events, also found that most Texans — 58 percent — support expanding rights for gay partnerships by allowing either civil unions or gay marriage.

"While Texans do not support gay marriage per se, they are not necessarily opposed to expanded legal rights for same sex couples," said Daron Shaw, one of two political professors at the University of Texas at Austin who conducted the poll.

(snip)
For the poll, researchers interviewed about 1,000 Texans by telephone from June 5 through June 12. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.3 percentage points.

:wow: Where the hell were these 58% of these Texans when we were voting for that stupid ban on gay marriage? Oh well at least we're turning in the right direction now.


Sonia

[WolverineDG]

9. I made friends & influenced people at a family law cle once

when everyone there booed when it was announced the rabid righties were going to lobby the Lege to do away with no-fault divorce & other things that are necessary, just because they don't fit with their narrow beliefs. I said, a bit too loudly, :WTF: were you when Prop 2 was being voted on?

Oops. :evilgrin:

dg

[jeffweemsforRRC]

5. This is all good news

For these reasons and many others, I have decided to go ahead and get in the race.

I am running for the Democratic nomination for Texas Railroad Commissioner in 2010, hopefully earning the right to square off against Victor Carrillo next fall. I have just signed up for DU in my "campaign" capacity, although some of you have already met me in the past. After I secure the necessary number of entries to be able to post, I will start supplying more information on the campaign.

Thanks, Jeff

[sonias]

6. Welcome to DU Jeff (as a candidate)

And thank you for stepping up to run for the RRC. I just got the notice via Carl Whitmarsh's list. I was out of town this weekend!

:woohoo: for you!

:kick:


Sonia

[jeffweemsforRRC]

7. Thanks Sonia.

After I decided, I realized something. This is a VERY big state.

For the next months, the focus is fundraising.

And thank you for pointing me to Sharon. I have visited with her some.

If any of the groups you are in in Austin have functions coming up, please let me know. I'd like to drop by if I could.

Thanks, Jeff

[mp9200]

8. Good

Texas might have something redeemable about it after all.

[sonias]

10. That was quick

Must have angered the grave masters so soon. :shrug:

Sonia

[efhmc]

14. Texas might have something redeemable about it after all.

I revel in these comments. They are so revealing of how even good news is not seen at DU as something to help and work toward change in Texas but as just another area where one can make anti-Texas comments.

[Horse with no Name]

11. We need some progressives

Sigh. REAL progressives.

[efhmc]

12. Would like to see this posted in the Texas hating gd section of

DU.

[efhmc]

13. Sorry . I did not see edit. Can you provide a link to gd post?

Thanks.

[X_Digger]

15. New Gallup poll has TX +2 dem

http://www.gallup.com/poll/122003/Political-Party-Affiliation-States-Blue-Red-Far.aspx

[sonias]

16. I love that image

Texas is competitive!

:kick:


Sonia

[TxRider]

17. And why not

It used to be blue..

And with all the folks from blue states streaming in here lately...