Posted on 02/20/2008 6:37:29 AM PST by GraniteStateConservative
Cedric Willis is an independent voter craving change; Louis and Karen Becerra are Republicans demanding an equitable immigration policy; Michael Panesar is a Democrat looking for a president who would exhibit cultural sensitivity in the Middle East.
Although they expressed dramatically divergent views on national and world affairs, Willis, Panesar, the Becerras and others were in complete agreement on one point: 2008 is shaping up to be the most exciting political year in recent memory. The political enthusiasts were among the first to cast their ballots Tuesday as Harris County opened 35 polling spots for early primary voting.
By the end of the day, 9,233 ballots were cast in the Democratic primary; 2,914 in the Republican, said Harris County Clerk's spokesman Hector de Leon. First-day totals for early voting in the 2004 presidential primary totaled 849 in the Democratic contests and 678 in the Republican.
"I think a lot of people are watching the national primaries," de Leon said. "They recognize Texas has a role to play."
'A big concept'
Turnout was also brisk in the suburbs, including Fort Bend County, where 1,697 ballots were cast in the Democratic primary and 944 in the Republican.
"We need a change in approach," said Willis, 33. "We need a new approach on education, a new approach on health care, a new approach on immigration. We need changes on everything. It's a big concept. It scares some people."
As with the others interviewed at Harris County's main polling spot in the downtown administration building, Panesar said the heat of the presidential primary drew him to vote early. This election, he said, offers "hope for this country and hope for the world."
"America needs a leader who has cultural sensitivity to the Middle East," Panesar said. "That's where our national policy seems to be headed. ... We've had enough with the saber rattling."
Differ on immigration
Paige Caddle, whose father served in the U.S. Marines, cast her ballot for John McCain in the Republican primary, saying she is opposed to a premature withdrawal from Iraq. "I came out this morning not so much for the candidates but more for a passion over the right to vote," she said. "There are troops dying for that right."
Caddle said she worries about the security of the nation's borders and favors giving local police the power to arrest illegal immigrants.
The Becerras, who described themselves as "Hispanic Republicans," also voted for McCain, but they could not have disagreed more with Caddle on the issue of immigration.
"There's too much emphasis on the security of the southern border," Louis Becerra said. "The southern people come over here to make a living for their families. The people with money who come to take over our businesses are coming through the northern border. A lot of terrorists come through that border, too."
Karen Becerra said she and her husband are committed Republicans who "want to see fiscal accountability. We want to help people help themselves."
Amazing since the republicans have done such a good job of listening to people lately.
Is having high negatives a good thing? Just askin’.
Hillary is not just toast. She is burned to a crisp.
I just saw Scott Rasmussen on Fox and he says the early betting on Texas is 68% for Obama over Clinton and says he’s an even bet in Ohio. Summary, Obama will be the Dem. nominee.
These are the 20,000 people from his last night’s Marxist revival meeting.
Never count evil as defeated so early. Especially before the convention. Lots of things have happened to those that crossed paths with she who must not be named.
Fort Bend County usually goes for the GOP Presidential nominee by a large margin, 2:1 or better, and has done so for decades. Granted, McCain apparently has it sewn up, but it also appears that Huckabee and Paul supporters, as well as hard core conservatives who would write in one or another of the dropouts, are discouraged. None of this bodes well for the November general election.
MxCain better enjoy his campaign because if the R are stupid enough to look at THOSE numbers and still let him be the nominee and run in November he is going to get laughed out of the election.
The thing that concerns me the most are the voters who actually believe the fantasy that he can win in November. They’ll be so busy screeching about who is at fault that the democrats will push as much liberal policy they can without opposition.
I hope Osama DOESN’T carry Texas in the Presidential election. It is scary to think he just might win Texas in Nov. HUGE numbers are turning out for him...especially the Hispanic community. Pray for our nation!
We're just trying to make Hillary !!!!! and Obama look as badly as possible.
I’m looking at Reunion Arena, here in Dallas, from my office window, they are lined up in droves waiting for Obama’s rally.
It’s amazing how somebody who has accomplished absolutely nothing can be treated like a rock star politician. This is our country today.
Michael Singh Panesar: Age 37 years old, lives with his mother and father and aunt in an apartment in Houston, Texas. Most people that age who still live at home do vote Democrat. No surprise there.
I watched his whole speech last night and the people listening. They have absolutely no idea what he stands for or what we as a nation are in for...just that they "adore" his youth, speaking skills, and how they "feel".
Hate to say it...but sounds like the German people in the 1930s.
I pray God we are wise enough to get out and vote against himn like we did against Kerry. That's what it is going to take. Or that Clinton makes such a nasty fight of it that she fractures the dems.
People are voting for a candidate they perceive will be an 180 from the previous administration.
The last time that happened, we ended up with Jimmy Carter.
What a shocker, its the first time this primary has mattered since 1976 !
“The thing that concerns me the most are the voters who actually believe the fantasy that he can win in November. They’ll be so busy screeching about who is at fault that the democrats will push as much liberal policy they can without opposition.”
Yeap! There are still people whining about the people who didn’t vote in the 06 election, (whoever those non voters were) instead of looking at the problems within the Republican Party. Now we are about to nominate the biggest problem. When he loses, the same people who have been whining over 06 will start screaming, and by 2012 we won’t be ready. McCain can’t win. Give him your best, and then get over it when he loses. Conservatives need to start at a grassroots level to make certain this kind of fiasco doesn’t happen again. We will have a rare opportunity to come back big in 2012.
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