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Texas Republicans cross over to vote for Obama
msnbc ^ | 2/28/08

Posted on 02/28/2008 8:21:07 PM PST by LouAvul

One of Sen. Barack Obama’s surest applause lines comes about halfway into his standard stump speech. It goes like this:

“They whisper to me. They say, ‘Barack, I’m a Republican, but I support you.’ And I say, ‘Thank you. Why are we whispering?’”

If the latest polling data are to be believed, those Republicans aren’t whispering in Texas, where 195 of the 228 delegates the state will send to the Democratic National Convention will be chosen in a primary and caucuses Tuesday.

As many as a tenth of the Texans voting in the Democratic contests could be Republicans, and overwhelmingly they favor Obama, a first-term senator from Illinois, the polls show.

“I ran for Republican precinct chair. I went to the Republican state convention,” said one of them, Donald Rau of Austin, who has already voted in early balloting. “In this election, I voted for Barack Obama.”

GOP support ‘no longer surprising’ A poll released this week by SurveyUSA of Verona, N.J., indicated that registered Republicans would make up 9 percent of Democratic primary voters next week. Michael Baselice, head of Baselice and Associates, a Texas polling firm, said that was in line with what his company was finding.

A bloc that large could make a significant difference for Obama, who holds a large lead over Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York among Texas Republicans, especially in a close race. Polls this week were showing a dead heat in Texas as Obama began pulling even with Clinton.

(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008electionbias; barackhusseinobama; barackobama; dnctalkingpoints; doublestandard; fakebutaccurate; husseinobama; obama; obamarepublicans; payback; republicans; texas2008; tx2008; wetdream
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To: AllseeingEye33

I don’t think it’s a good idea at all. I also don’t think the way we do primaries (repubs) is the way to do them. Have them all on the same day with all the candidates and let’s see who wins.


101 posted on 02/28/2008 9:30:18 PM PST by Twink
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To: Conservative Vermont Vet

Me too. But I still think he’s easier to beat in the general. however, I don’t think McCain can beat either. He has a better shot if Obama is the nom. Hillary, Obama, or McCain as POTUS scares me.

I don’t want another Clinton presidency so I’d rather see Obama as the dem nom. At least this month.


102 posted on 02/28/2008 9:41:28 PM PST by Twink
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To: Lancey Howard

“Are they idiots??”

No, they’re unicorns.

This is “news” from MSNBC. Next thing you know they’ll be screaming about the earth getting warmer and that we’ll all going to die from it.

Oh, wait...


103 posted on 02/28/2008 9:50:05 PM PST by jsharpscs
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To: LouAvul

Okay, I’m going to explain this for even some you knee-jerk Freepers that think they know about politics but somehow come off like DU morons:

McCain IS THE GOP NOMINEE and nothing can stop that.

TEXAS and OHIO are OPEN PRIMARIES which means you can vote in either one: R, D or Independent (if they have one).

So GOP voters in these two states are going to “cross over” to wreck havoc in the DEM primary much like the DEMS and “Independents” did by voting for McLame in NH, etc.

Get it?

Now, Hillary or Obama? That’s difficult. Personally, I’d vote for Hillary to give her more delegates and make the Dem race harder for both of them. Neither would have the number needed, even with the supers, to win the nomination and the real fun would begin. I think Obama would be easier to beat in November because I do believe (I hope) that the people aren’t stupid enough to put him in over McCain if they truly want to stop the terrorists around the globe.

But then again, I wouldn’t put money on it since Americans are idiots.

In 2004 I voted in the Democrat primary myself here in TN and voted for General Clark because I wanted to stop Kerry and Edwards. Why? Because Bush was unopposed in the GOP primary so it didn’t matter.

For those of you that don’t get this stuff do me a favor - read more.


104 posted on 02/28/2008 9:50:38 PM PST by Fledermaus (Nothing in the Universe can convince me to vote for Juan McLame!)
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To: LouAvul

Maybe they just know that Barack will be easier to beat than Hillary Clinton.


105 posted on 02/28/2008 9:53:40 PM PST by No Dems 2004 (No Dems in 2008 either)
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To: SeaHawkFan

“If Obama wins the Democrat nomination, McCain will win big. The middle 20% of the public will heavily favor him over Obama.”

True; the last two weeks have shown a lot (Michelle Obama flap; beaten by McCain on Iraq war campaign exchanges; questions about the Farrakhan endorsement and his own church; photos coming out of the woodwork...). Obama’s a good campaigner, but he’s turning a lot of people off.


106 posted on 02/28/2008 9:54:26 PM PST by Aln in Eastern WA
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To: Twink
They figure McCain is already the repub nom (and they don’t care much for him so their vote won’t count on the repub side) so they’re going to try to get hillary out (they really don’t care for her)

A variation on this reasoning goes like this:

1. Voting in the Republican primary won't change anything as it currently stands. So, voting is an empty gesture.

2. If Obama doesn't get nominated, he'll be back the next election cycle, BUT ...

3. If Hillary doesn't get nominated, that'll be the end of her in any presidential election cycle.

So, the vote that counts (for a Republican) is the vote he casts for Obama in this year's Demo primary.

107 posted on 02/28/2008 10:07:41 PM PST by Brandybux
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To: lowbridge
I have heard him do this schpeel and then he pointed to a guy in the crowd and was like ya ha ha..as if he was pointing out one of the whispering republicans.
108 posted on 02/28/2008 10:51:46 PM PST by Global2010 (Election 2008 like playin Shoots and Ladders (ages 5 and up))
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To: LouAvul

Freepers gaming the system comprise an insignificant sliver. Also they cancel each other out, since as many are voting for Hillary as for Obama. This article is not about them, but about sincere Republicans who are supporting Obama.

We might as well face it that there are going to be a lot of them. The only hope is that McCain can pick off as many crossover Dems.


109 posted on 02/29/2008 12:05:45 AM PST by drubyfive
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To: soupcon
Here’s my proposal. If Obama loses Texas to McCan’t in the general, I will never post here again. In exchange, you’ll promise to do the same if McCan’t loses Texas. Deal?

Texas is not going Democrat in the General election.

110 posted on 02/29/2008 12:16:57 AM PST by fortheDeclaration ("Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people".-John Adams)
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To: Hunble

—”President Obama will be a “light weight” and easy to manipulate by the Republicans in Congress”—

Bump that.


111 posted on 02/29/2008 1:22:27 AM PST by moehoward
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To: NinoFan

—”Hillary would be much easier to beat in the general.”—

Agreed. But not by the likes of McCain.


112 posted on 02/29/2008 1:24:35 AM PST by moehoward
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To: LouAvul
Huh? Maybe some FR pundit can explain this strategy.

Bury the bwitch now. While we still can...

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

"I saw a toe twitch! QUICK - get another house!"

113 posted on 02/29/2008 2:17:17 AM PST by Caipirabob (Communists... Socialists... Democrats...Traitors... Who can tell the difference?)
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To: LouAvul
Huh? Maybe some FR pundit can explain this strategy.

Always lie to pollsters?

114 posted on 02/29/2008 2:22:21 AM PST by gitmo (From now on, ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I will not put.)
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To: Manfred the Wonder Dawg
I found this that perhaps will answer your question. Perhaps it will also give pause for those here on FR considering croosing over to eliminate Hillary.

Bill Crocker: DON'T VOTE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY!!!

THOUGHTS FROM YOUR NATIONAL COMMITTEEMAN February 26, 2008

Dear Friends,

In the last few days, in several places around the state, I have heard of and from people who say they are Republicans who intend to vote in the Democrat primary. All say they want to vote for the weaker of the two Democrat candidates for President. All say they will vote for the Republican nominee in November. All say they will be serving the best interests of the Republican Party. What they never mention is that they will be endorsing the Democrat Party Platform with their vote.

I invite them to read the Democrat platform, compare it with ours, and then see if they are comfortable adopting it. They need to be, because they will wear the Democrat label for the next two years. That brings up the next consideration. Texans declare their party affiliation by voting in the primary of a party. People who vote in the primary of the Democrat Party are Democrats for purposes of participating in party activities until they can change parties when they vote in the next primary. They cannot vote in the Republican runoff. They cannot participate in the Republican precinct convention or be a delegate to the Republican county, senatorial district or state conventions. They will be Democrats for two years.

Most importantly, we have some intense contests in the Republican primary. How sad if a Republican vote cast in the Democrat primary causes our best Republican candidate to lose in our primary. The difference Republican votes might make in the Democrat primary is not worth sacrificing a Republican identity. It is not worth sacrificing the opportunity to participate in the processes of the Republican Party for two years. And it certainly is not worth risking the election of the best candidates in the Republican primary.

The Democrats really don’t need a great deal of help selecting a candidate Republicans can beat in November.

Bill CrockerRepublican National Committeeman for Texas


115 posted on 02/29/2008 2:30:30 AM PST by Robert DeLong
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To: LouAvul

Barak I love you......... I’m an Obamican.....

Why?

Cause I’d vote for Stalin before I’d vote to let Clinton win anything. I already know that McCain is going to be our nominee, so it’s like getting to flip the bird to Clinton and show McCain how little I think of him....

It’s a two-fer.

It’s like buying hand grenades for Iranians and AK-47’s for Iraq during their war....

I say, “For the primary, let’s all vote for Obamalamadingdong!!!! “

“si se puede!!!!”


116 posted on 02/29/2008 5:58:32 AM PST by Dick Vomer (liberals suck....... but it depends on what your definition of the word "suck" is.,)
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To: Manfred the Wonder Dawg
I live in Texas and this confuses me. We have a closed primary system. My voter registration card is marked “Republican” and I can’t vote in the DemocRAT primary election.

I'm sitting here in the heart of Texas, looking at my voter registration card and not one "R" or any mention of party affiliation on it.

vote "Obamalamadingdong"..... Si Se Puede!!!!!"

117 posted on 02/29/2008 6:00:45 AM PST by Dick Vomer (liberals suck....... but it depends on what your definition of the word "suck" is.,)
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To: Dick Vomer
"looking at my voter registration card"

I don't have mine in front of me but sideways in the middle of the card there's the word "party" or "affiliation" and a line. In theory when you vote in a primary they're supposted to stamp it either D or R. From what I've heard that's not happening but if not I suspect it's because it's noted on the voter registration rolls.

My understanding is that you are affiliated with whatever party's primary you vote in for a year and should there be another primary you're locked into the one for that party.

Mrs. Texan crossed over and voted for Obamarama because of her viscreal dislike for the Other Rat. I toyed with the idea to keep the rats fighting but now it looks like it's the Other Rat that needs help and I'll die before I mash the button for her.

Besides voter registration is public info and I couldn't hack being identified as a rat...

118 posted on 02/29/2008 6:15:36 AM PST by Proud_texan (Stop global whining)
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To: Robert DeLong
Bill Crocker: DON'T VOTE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY!!!

THOUGHTS FROM YOUR NATIONAL COMMITTEEMAN February 26, 2008

Dear Friends,

In the last few days, in several places around the state, I have heard of and from people who say they are Republicans who intend to vote in the Democrat primary. All say..........

.......

Bill CrockerRepublican National Committeeman for Texas

yeah....whatever.....all I read was... Dear Friends...blah, blah, blah....

Hey, I've got a letter to the National Republican Committeeman and the Committee ...... STFU. I'm voting for Obamalamadingdong, SI SE PUEDE!!!!

Oh, and thanks for saddling us with that frickin RINO, McCain.

Obama is an idiot. I've heard 3 or 4 times that "we might be in Iraq for a hundred years after this war".... "that's unheard of and blah, blah blah"...

Where are the great Republican strategist that are unable to go to Obama and say, "Hey, dipsh#t.... are we going to pull our bases out of Germany, Japan, Tokyo, the Philippines ...after all we've been in former enemy territory for ....... at least 50 or 60 years!"

Puhleeze, Obama sounds great but is in way over his head. His wife's and his liberal rhetoric are in deep moonbat territory.

By the way, an obama supporter was driving in our neighborhood yesterday afternoon and somebody called the cops on him cause they thought it was "some black dudes in a beat up car casing our neighborhood and knocking on doors".

My kids refused to open the door or answer it because it was a stranger soliciting, but another one of my neighbors called the house and was worried, but was chuckling at the way they backed off when my German Shepherd threw itself against the fence trying to say, "Hello!!, you look tasty!" hahahahaha..... nobody is voting for Obama in the general election other than the crazy moonbats.

I want Hellary gone. It would be so sweet to see her giving everybody that stoney glare as she's once again not picked to be on the softball team, cause she's too ugly, too fat and a girl.....hahahahahahahahahahaha....

Vote for Obamalamadingdong!!!! Si Se Puede!!!!

119 posted on 02/29/2008 6:27:19 AM PST by Dick Vomer (liberals suck....... but it depends on what your definition of the word "suck" is.,)
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To: Paleo Conservative; Manfred the Wonder Dawg

Didn’t Manfred say he voted absentee? He would have had to ask for either the democratic or republican ballot he wanted, right? I know he could have asked for either one, but perhaps that was his confusion?


120 posted on 02/29/2008 6:28:28 AM PST by WhyisaTexasgirlinPA (Even my tagline is sad....I can't stand ANY of the candidates!)
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