Posted on 02/23/2007 10:54:29 AM PST by SwinneySwitch
AUSTIN — The Texas Republican Party will sponsor a presidential straw poll of party activists this summer, with an eye toward energizing the GOP faithful and, perhaps, giving Texas more clout in the White House selection process.
The poll will be the highlight of a two-day event in Fort Worth that could be the largest gathering ever of Texas GOP activists, state Republican Chairwoman Tina Benkiser said. It is set for Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.
"We want the grass-roots leaders to have a chance to kick the tires of these candidates and see what's under the hood," Benkiser said.
The event could become more significant if the Legislature moves Texas' primary election from March 4 to Feb. 5, she added. Several Democratic lawmakers have filed legislation to change the date and have garnered support from Republicans as well.
Proponents of the change say Texas could have more influence in the presidential nominating process with an earlier primary.
Benkiser said she wanted Republican presidential candidates to consider Texas more than just a "giant ATM" — a place to raise campaign money.
She said the race for the Republican presidential nomination was up for grabs in Texas. She hopes the straw poll will energize Texas Republicans, who won all statewide races in November but lost several legislative seats to Democrats.
The party also plans campaign training sessions and other activities at the Fort Worth event and will give candidates opportunities to speak.
At least eight Republicans already are running for president or have indicated an interest in running.
Unlike the established presidential straw poll in Iowa, in which any registered Iowa voter can participate, the Texas GOP poll will be restricted to previous participants in political conventions.
Texas Democratic Party spokeswoman Amber Moon dismissed the GOP event as a "gimmick" designed to disguise a "lackluster field" of Republican candidates.
By restricting the poll to former convention delegates, Benkiser is trying to give the "extreme right" more influence in the presidential selection process, Moon charged. Recent Republican conventions have been dominated by social conservatives.
Meanwhile, one Democratic presidential candidate, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, will visit Austin for a campaign speech today.
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clay.robison@chron.com
Austin will love him!
Oh that's great a DEMOCRAT Commenting on what goes on (or who goes) to a REPUBLICAN convention; that just beat ALL!
Hey Amber LEAVE OUR CONVENTION (Well TX GOP) ALONE; and We'll leave you alone to hang with your commie-anti war-perverts, OK?
I'm from San Antonio, and though I am not a Republican Party activist, I always vote Republican. I am NOT in favor of Guiliani, McCain or Romney - I want a REAL conservative, someone like Duncan Hunter, to be the nominee.
Texas ping!
Just about every other county in the state would not.
I think the Gov gave us the ole bait & switch to get himself reelected?
My guess is that Hunter will do very well.
Stuff like this and proposals to move up the primary kill Hunter's chances.
Actually, it might help Hunter's chances in Texas, because what Amber Moon said is correct. Social conservatives dominate the formal structure of the Texas state GOP, so much so that the state party platform is a bit of an embarrassment.
No statewide or national office-seeker will ever endorse it when asked, and the liberal press always asks.
I don't ever recall a single politician who said he or she endorsed all of the state GOP platform. It may have happened in a very local election, but I've not heard of it.
I would expect the social conservatives in the race, no matter how minor, to do quite well in this straw poll. It's not going to be indicative of how ordinary Texans will vote in the primary, though.
HA!! HA!! It's starting to drizzle in Austin now. I wonder how many people will exit the town lake rally early?
2006 Republican Party of Texas Platform
http://www.texasgop.org/site/DocServer/2006_Plat_with_TOC_2.pdf?docID=2022
(Do they have fajitas in Fort Worth, DG?)
No south Texas fajitas. Just Ninfa's-style poor imitation stuff.
ping for later
I'll let 'em know in Ft Worth - I'll be there!
They do indeed have fajitas in Ft Worth, but more importantly, they've got barbeque!
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