2.19.2008

Texas Time

Now that Obama and McCain have won Wisconsin (Hawaii results aren't in yet), it's on to Texas and Ohio (as well as Rhode Island and Vermont) on March 4th. There are a few Texans that visit this site regularly, and I'm interested in how y'all are going to vote, especially you Republicans. As I understand it, you can just show up at the polls on March 4 and request either a Democratic or Republican ballot, depending on your preference. Since McCain has the GOP nomination more or less wrapped up, are you thinking about voting in the Democratic primary? If so, what is your approach? Is it:

a) Vote for Clinton, because she'd be easier for McCain to beat in November, or
b) Vote for Obama, because you're willing to take the risk of him winning in exchange for stopping Clinton?

My approach would be the latter. Of course, you could still vote in the GOP primary, to either help get rid of Huckabee, help put McCain over the top, or support your man, Ron Paul.

So what are your plans, Texans of both parties? Also, if you non-Texans have any advice for them, you may submit it as well.

10 comments :

  1. I'm trying to imagine how it would be if the situation was reversed, and it was my party that was all sewn up while the other one was up for grabs. I just don't think I could bring myself to do the sabotage-voting thing, because that's just not the way it's supposed to work. If there's somebody on the other side you really don't want to be president, your chance to vote against them is in November.

    I'd probably end up being all un-American and whatnot and staying home.

    Unless I really liked the shoo-in candidate for my party. Then I'd vote for him or her just to be nice.

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  2. Have I mentioned that I want Obama to win?

    Because I plan on voting for him in November if he does.

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  3. I will be voting for Obama for a multitude of reasons (or at least three). I'm not sure if you can just show up, since all the literature I've read refers to "registered voters." Since I am one, I'm not concerned. And in case you weren't sure, I'm a not-Republican. I'm also beyond excited that my state's primary actually matters, and that Senator Obama will be less than 15..25miles from my school this morning.

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  4. Yes, I meant you can just show up - if you registered by Feb. 4. Thanks for the clarification.

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  5. Sigh, that's what I feared. Ryan tried to register, but I think he missed the deadline. It's just as well, he has Republican-esque leanings that I'm not fond of (clearly, love is blind). We've had a moratorium on political discussions ever since a presidential match quiz almost derailed our budding romance back in '04.

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  6. Sorry this is late, Craig! As a Texas Republican, I have been considering how to vote in the Texas Primary myself. I can't bring myself to vote for Clinton, ever (aside from my personal feelings, I think that bringing a female with no military experience is not a great idea when we have troops in anti-feminist Islamic nations). But I have thought about voting for Obama to put him in the November election.

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  7. It's not too late; there are a few days left before the primary.

    I'm not a Clinton fan, but I don't think we should oppose her based on what Islamic nations might think. If they can't handle a woman leader, screw them. Ditto if they can't handle free speech or Western legal tradition.

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  8. I agree that we shouldn't base anything simply on what they think; that's why I have no opposition to Condoleezza Rice serving as Secretary of State =) But I do think that the first woman in office has to be exceptionally strong and able to garner respect, and I just don't think that Clinton is that woman.

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  9. Here's an update from your Texas Republican friend...

    After much deliberation, I decided against voting in the Democratic primary. When I read the sample ballot that says "I am a Democrat..." While I won't necessary vote straight-ticket Republican, I think it's wrong to profess alliance to a party that I don't vote much for.

    However, I do find it interesting that Rush Limbaugh is encouraging Republicans to cross over and vote for Clinton: 1) because her campaign challenges Obama more than the McCain campaign, and 2) because it will keep things interesting! (http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/)

    So, we'll just have to see what happens.

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  10. Don't get me wrong - I'd like to see a woman as president. I just believe that womankind can put up a better candidate than Clinton =)

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