Obama Win Appears Big In Texas Delegate Battle

McClatchy Newspapers:

Barrack Obama appeared to have scored a clear victory over Hillary Clinton on Saturday in the second step of Texas' multi-tiered process for selecting its delegates to the Democratic National Convention. With results available from about half of the district conventions held statewide, the Associated Press reported that Obama had won 59 percent of the delegates headed to the state party's June convention to Clinton's 41 percent. That translates into 1,858 delegates for Obama and 1,270 for Clinton.

That result made it likely that when the delegate selection process is finally completed, Obama will have more Texas delegates to the national convention than Clinton, despite Clinton's having won the March 4 primary vote 51 to 47 percent. Under Texas' delegate selection process, 67 of its 206 delegates are selected by the June state party convention.

Tens of thousands of Texas Democrats turned out for Saturday's district conventions in a chaotic day in which many of the meetings in Texas' large cities lasted late into the night. Some delegates -- confused and frustrated by hours-long delays, disorder and disorganization -- gave up on the process and left, still not sure if their vote counted. "Please move a bit faster," urged delegate Whitney Larkins, who attended the largest senatorial district in Fort Worth gathered at the Will Rogers Coliseum. "Have some consideration. Think about those of us who took time out of our lives to participate in this."

Keep reading.

Read the whole story: McClatchy Newspapers

Comments

[mrJJ]

11:01 PM on 03/31/2008

For Both Dem Supporters

Well worth the read

THE MATH – Monday, March 31 – After Texas Counties

Thanks to phrigndumass for the work

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/phrigndumass

[quicknsilverfox]

05:44 PM on 04/01/2008

If Michigan and Florida want to seat their delegates at the convention without holding any primaries, then they should implement the Solomon solution of evenly dividing all delegates between the two remaining Dem candidates. Win-win.

[Validscreedname]

06:04 PM on 04/04/2008

Bill Clinton did the math. His conclusion:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVIfkuWt3E8

"If she wins in Texas and Ohio, I think she'll be the nominee.If you don't deliver for her, I don't think she can be. It's all on you.

" And the great thing about Texas is, this is a highly unusual place on every count, but this election system of yours, takes the cake! Texas is the only place in America where you can vote twice in the same election without going to jail. And it's the only place in America where you have GOT to vote twice in the same election if you really want Hillary to win this election on March the 4th!"

So, Bill Clinton urges voters here to remember that for Hillary really to win on March 4th in Texas, it's important to win the overall race from the primary AND the caucuses. Otherwise, he doesn't think she can be the nominee. Guess what; she lost Texas overall, and I haven't heard Bill explain why he's still campaigning for her, have you?

[kennedy]

09:39 PM on 03/31/2008

LOU DOBBBS MARCH 31,08

Do you believe there is a media bias against Hillary Clinton and in favor of Barack Obama?

Yes 73%

No 27%

The Obama butt kissing media is the only reason Obama is where he is today. Millions upon millions of dollars in free lying press. Obama has won nothing on his own merits. If not for the press Obama would be out of the race by now.

[DougMontreal]

02:15 AM on 04/01/2008

Is there some way to permanently filter out individual posters on HuffPo? I'm getting sick of wading through this "kennedy" noise...

[MM5]

09:13 AM on 04/01/2008

My friend...it is exactly the opposite...remember that your candidate Hillary was crowned the presumptive nominee just 6-8 months ago and Obama was given up for dead. But thanks to the internet and Obama's supporters who raised money through small donations, he is now on his way to the nomination.

He was running against one of the most established and aggressive campaigns in modern history - they are considered the masters of spin and media management. So no...the media was ready to give this to Hillary...but the people stepped in and it looks like smoke and mirrors is the losing proposition of the day.

And let us be clear...Lou Dobbs would much prefer a Clinton victory for the nomination...she is easily beaten in Nov.

[kennedy]

05:47 PM on 03/31/2008

The Obamas and you are the losers.

Obama ran commercials in FL in violation of DNC rules. Did Dean kick him out of the race??? No!!

Obama is a cheater and liar. And Hillary still won Fl because the voters liked her more than your loser Obama.

And your loser took his own name of the MI ballot. He was to scared to face Hillary. Obama is full of it. He doesn't want Fl and MI to count or vote because Hillary whips his butt every time.

[John]

06:07 PM on 03/31/2008

Hilarious! Obama followed the rules and took his name off the ballot. He would have crushed Clinton in Michigan. Your idiocy gives you away as a right wing troll. Now go back to listening to Rush you moron.

[kennedy]

11:27 PM on 03/31/2008

Obama followed nothing except being scared of Hillary. What a loser.

[USMAMule]

06:54 PM on 03/31/2008

Really? Every time?? Oh I guess that's the new math wherein he isn't leading in pledged delegates, states won and the popular vote.... Oh yeah and the way it looks now Clinton will have to stop claiming she won Texas (hence all the big states) because he's about to walk out of Texas with more delegates that her as well. Maybe you should invest in a calculator, and a dictionary to polish up your vocabulary skills.

[kennedy]

11:28 PM on 03/31/2008

Hillary won Texas and Obama lost Texas.

[kennedy]

05:38 PM on 03/31/2008

Obama the pool bum:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu4tak23u68

[kennedy]

05:35 PM on 03/31/2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ybd7MUixxyg

Obama has no accomplishments.

[plafayette]

05:50 PM on 03/31/2008

He has accomplished winning the democratic nomination....would'nt you have to say?

[kennedy]

05:12 PM on 03/31/2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJnkdamqzgo

[kennedy]

05:10 PM on 03/31/2008

FROM: http://demconwatch.blogspot.com

With Michigan and Florida added:

Obama 1473 - 217 - 1690 total

Clinton 1427 - 261 - 1688 total

Edwards 31 -- 31

Uncomm. 55 -- 55

Undeclared 0 370 370

Updated 3/29/2008 Delegates Needed: 2207.5

WHAT IS THAT? HILLARY WOULD BE BEHIND BY ONLY 2 DELEGATES. THAT IS WHY OBAMA IS A COWARD AND REFUSES TO ALLOW FL AND MI TO BE COUNTED.

HILLARY IS BASICALLY TIED WITH OBAMA COUNTING FL AND MI. OBAMA IS A LOSER FOR SPITTING ON THE VOTERS FROM FL AND MI. COUNT THE VOTES OR RE VOTE.

LET THE VOTES BE COUNTED OBAMA OR GO HOME!!!!

[Jeffomil]

05:21 PM on 03/31/2008

YOU are a loser for thinking that votes should be counted in a race where Obama obeyed the rules and took his name OFF the ballot, while your lying, deceiving, win-at-any-cost loser of a candidate kept her's ON the ballot! Lie to win. Cheat to win. ANYTHING to win!

[SethBullock]

06:00 PM on 03/31/2008

So, Kennedy, you moron: if you count Florida and Michigan where Obama WASN'T ON THE BALLOT he Obama would still be winning. Real persuasive post, loser.

[kennedy]

06:31 PM on 03/31/2008

Dip stick and moron Hillary is down by 2 DELEGATES.!!!!!!!

Wow that is so, so, so, so far behind loser.

And when she whips your GODs a-- in Pa he will be kissing her butt from behind.

And Obama took his own name off the ballot in MI because he was scared to run against Hillary there. Obama is a loser then and he is loser now.

[Citizen69]

05:09 PM on 03/31/2008

Nu uh! Everyone knows Hillary "won" in Texas! Her tremendous "victory" in the cowboy chimp's adopted home state started her on the road to a stunning "comeback" that put her further behind. Now if she can just "win" one more state(while losing handily in the other remaining contests)....the nomination is hers. As it should be....as it has always been...forever...and ever...and ever.....How dare we question Clintonian Manifest Destiny? Chill out....'''''''''''''''''

[tiredofhillary]

03:34 PM on 03/31/2008

Our news here in Dallas just reported that Sen. Obama will receive 39 delegates and Clinton 28. So who exactly won Texas?

She's go'in down.

[kennedy]

04:40 PM on 03/31/2008

CNN is not saying that.

And Obama is going down cult member.

[TiffShelton]

07:54 PM on 03/31/2008

Home of Lou Dobbs?

That cotton ...er um terrible guy.

[Kim445588]

08:36 PM on 03/31/2008

Did you say cult? Kinda like "The Family". Careful here, we really don't want to go down the religion rabbit hole any further.

[LBM]

05:26 PM on 03/31/2008

Obama didn't win Texas. Hillary definitely won the popular vote and the primary which measures the popular vote. Texas has 193 total delegates to allocate. 126 from the primary which Hillary won, she got 65 delegates and Obama got 61 delegates. 67 More come from the caucus which Obama won so far (with 93.32% reporting), Obama has gotten 37 delegates to Hillary's 30 delegates. So just looking at these two pledged portions of the delegate count, Obama has only a 3 delegate lead. But then you add in an additional 35 super delegates who vote at the state convention. Hillary is winning these delegates who are currently voting 28 for Obama and 48 for Hillary, with only 2 undeclared. This gives a hefty lead of delegates back in Hillary's column. She will have won both the popular vote and the delegate vote at the state convention.

Here's an explanation with the tally for the caucus updated as it comes in:

http://www.burntorangereport.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=4877

[kennedy]

06:35 PM on 03/31/2008

LBM

Thanks for the update. Obamas people just can't stand Hillary wining. They have to whine all day and all night.

[qdog112]

07:30 PM on 03/31/2008

I get it. It's something like adding the winning margin of the previous Patriots super bowl wins to the 2008 total to give them the edge over the Giants. So they actually did go 19-0. Brilliant!

[Plank]

03:04 PM on 03/31/2008

Congratulations Texas. You have now joined the growing list of boutique states.

[RussnCA]

02:39 PM on 03/31/2008

I tallied up the caucuses vs. primaries and it appears there is a ~120+ delegate margin in the caucuses and a ~20+ difference between Hillary and Barack in the primaries. The caucuses represent 20% of the overall delegate count.

Clearly the Barack is winning by caucus margins alone, as in Texas. Wthout the caucuses, the contest is a wash.

[FJRinLA]

03:58 PM on 03/31/2008

You just contradicted yourself....he is winning by both measures but just by a much larger margin in the caucuses.

The caucuses are dominated by party regulars and activists who are more educated about the issues only because they spend more time on them so they are aware of more issues that primary voters and aware of the inside political angles.

In short, caucus voters, particularly in IND- and REP- leaning states, never wanted a Clinton at the top of their ticket to inspire opposition turnout against local and statewide DEMS in NOV; so HRC's election was always a long-shot based on her high negatives.....nothing to do with Obama. His competency was in energizing that base with a unifying message and leveraging the internet as a tool to virally grow his appeal. Most importantly, he used his community organizing experience to deliver local DEM party activist the tools to effectively mobilize in their state and get the vote out for caucus when Clinton was complaining that her supporters were too busy working to attend caucuses for her.

[RussnCA]

06:00 PM on 03/31/2008

No contradiction. As you aptly point out caucuses are dominated by party regulars and activists. How is this any different from Super Delegates?

What is very clear from the numbers is the gross differences in the weighting of delegate counts in caucuses vs primaries. Should this happen?

It clearly explains how Barack can win in Texas without capturing the popular vote.

[V4Vigilance]

04:02 PM on 03/31/2008

"Wthout the caucuses, the contest is a wash."

Yeah, and without gravity everything on Earth would fly off into space. My question is, SO?!?

The Obama Campaign has done a masterful job of going after every single delegate, everywhere, not just certain delegates, in certain states. That's why he's winning and will win the nomination.

OBAMA 08

[kennedy]

04:41 PM on 03/31/2008

OBAMA 08 DOWN IN FLAMES.

[RaiderGreg]

05:11 PM on 03/31/2008

McCain is the nominee because he narrowly won the vote count in a few big states. But counting votes doesn't seem to matter much to Democrats. Too bad they don't hold a caucus in November. They have an election.

Let's see; Elections in Florida and Michigan don't count, but caucuses in states like Idaho and Wyoming do-- where it is ridiculous to think any Democrat could win in November. I guess the democrats are just too stupid to run the country.

[OlskoolDem]

02:38 PM on 03/31/2008

Ow that gotta hurt,
will HRC do what Bill said that she would do after loosing the Texas Primary/ Caucus
hmmmm.....

[kennedy]

04:42 PM on 03/31/2008

HILLARY WON AND OBAMA LOSES. AH....

[kennedy]

05:18 PM on 03/31/2008

OBAMA LIES:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNbMtfXn93E

[rosal]

08:40 PM on 03/31/2008

Obama lies? Did he go to Bosnia also?

[liberaldemdave]

02:37 PM on 03/31/2008

“Please move a bit faster,” urged delegate Whitney Larkins, who attended the largest senatorial district in Fort Worth gathered at the Will Rogers Coliseum. “Have some consideration. Think about those of us who took time out of our lives to participate in this.”

Note to Mr. Larkins:

With all due respect, sir, who the hell do you think put on your County Convention?

Those of us who volunteered our time spent HOURS in training sessions (learning the process that both the HRC and BHO camps did their best to usurp) prior to the conventions, arrived HOURS before the delegates and stayed long after you were gone to ensure that all the paperwork was handled properly. In some of the smaller counties (like mine), we were there at least 4 hours before the convention to set up chairs and tables and after all the paperwork was done, the same bunch of volunteers stayed to put away those tables and chairs and made sure the hall was left as we found it, so as to insure that the County Party got its deposit back.

Those of us who did the "grunt work" didn't leave and have a party while you were impatiently waiting at your convention. We were doing the same thing as you...Just with a little more appreciation for the amount of work that goes into such an event.

Hopefully, in 2 years, more people like yourself will volunteer to do the backbreaking work of putting on a convention.

[ruyen]

04:18 PM on 03/31/2008

Here here!
Heaven forbid he was inconvenienced out of his busy schedule to participate in a political process that he volunteered for and should have felt strongly enough about.

If only 1/2 of the people weren't so politically apathetic (lazy) the country wouldn't let these politicians get away with all they do.

[nohat]

07:18 PM on 03/31/2008

Three cheers and thanks!

[BrooklynLager]

04:35 PM on 03/31/2008

Hey, my hats off to you.

[PragRad]

02:18 PM on 03/31/2008

I just need to reiterate in Texas and Ohio, Republicans reported they voted for Hillary per Rush's suggestion in those respective primaries. I think the numbers were like over 100,000 in Texas, and over 60,000 in Ohio. I do not understand why the MSM media or the TV networks did not make this story a big one. So technically, Barack did win Texas according to delegates, and would have won the popular vote if Republicans, who admitted they were strategically voting for Hillary, did not vote for Hillary. In my newspaper, several Republicans stated they voted for Hillary in the primary but would vote for John in the general election. So the numbers are distorted, and its' concerning because if Hillary is the Democratic nominee, she will lose Texas. Whereas, if Barack is the nominee, he does have a strong chance of winning Texas.

[ltfHusseincrazy]

02:29 PM on 03/31/2008

It's all good. Hillary will shine light on any and all of Barack's weaknesses and he will learn from them and capitalize on them. By the time the Clinton campaign has finished their run, Obama will be untouchable. He will win by a landslide. I think that's what Hillary wanted to do ever since she lost in Iowa. It's all coming clear now!

[keir]

05:37 PM on 03/31/2008

That is what is good about the Texas two step...if some republican tried to vote in the caucus they may give up...if they come back for the Texas convention...they will not holds out the hours it takes.

[leftoflennon]

01:57 PM on 03/31/2008

And the MSM will continue to say that she won Texas...tsk tsk

[kennedy]

04:46 PM on 03/31/2008

Hillary did win Texas.