Clinton campaign sets up official website dedicated to changing the delegate rules

From the Hillary Clinton Delegate Hub Campaign site:

FACT: Florida and Michigan should count, both in the interest of fundamental fairness and honoring the spirit of the Democrats' 50-state strategy.

An important part of the debate over delegates is the role of Florida and Michigan. Hillary Clinton believes that the voices of 600,000 Michigan primary voters and 1.75 million Florida primary voters should be heard at the Democratic convention.

Website claims Hillary won Michigan "on an equal footing" despite fact that Obama wasn't on Ballot. Silly isn't it.

rules are rules...

If anything do a fickin' do over...

A tale of three speeches...or was it two

you make the call...

Obama Houston Speech - Wow!

Why he will win!!! I have great pics from the event that I will post soon. Wow!

the plagiarism thing

shallow shallow and desparation on the clinton campaign's part...

Survey USA: Texas - Obama within 5 points...and rising?

I really didn't imagine it to be this close...and with still some time left until March 4,...advantage Obama.

Depending on Hispanic Turnout, Clinton is Either Slightly Ahead, or Not so Slightly Ahead, in Texas Democratic Primary: In a Democratic Primary in Texas today, 02/18/08, 15 days to the vote, Hillary Clinton leads Barack Obama 50% to 45%, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for KTRK-TV Houston, KTVT-TV Dallas, and KRLD-AM radio Dallas. BUT: there is "give" in these numbers that must be mentioned in the same breath. Among Hispanic voters, Clinton leads 2:1. SurveyUSA estimates that Hispanics make-up 32% of Democratic primary voters in a Primary today. If Hispanics vote in larger numbers, Clinton's lead is larger than the 5 points shown here. If Hispanics vote in smaller numbers, Obama runs stronger than these numbers show. Among white voters, Clinton leads by 12. Among black voters, Obama leads by 57. Race Gap is 69 points. Among males, Obama leads by 20. Among females, Clinton leads by 27. Gender Gap is 47 points. Among registered Democrats, Clinton up 14. Among Independents, Obama up 28. Among voters under age 50, Obama by 6. Among Voters 50+, Clinton by 17. Age Gap is 23 points. Clinton ahead in South Texas and West Texas. Obama and Clinton within the margin of sampling error in North Texas, East Texas, and Central Texas.

Expect more cheap shots from camp Billary.

Texas - Delegate Rich State

is now up for grabs...my oh my.

Mexican American Democrats endorse Barack Obama and Rick Noriega

"Yesterday, the Mexican American Democrats endorsed Senator Barack Obama in his campaign for president, citing his longstanding relationship with Hispanic community and commitment to improving the lives of Hispanic men, women and children in Texas and across America.

The Mexican American Democrats believe that Senator Obama’s experience bringing Americans of all ages, religions, races and ethnicities together make him the best candidate to make progress on the issues that matter to Hispanics in Texas and across America. Obama’s leadership in the U.S. Senate on comprehensive immigration reform and his specific plans to strengthen our schools, bring about universal healthcare, and provide tax relief for working families show us that he is truly committed to improving the lives of Hispanics and all Americans.
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"At the Presidential level, the Mexican American Democrats hereby announce their overwhelming support for Senator Barack Obama. Senator Obama stated “My commitment to a humane and sensible immigration system is unparalleled…we want to bring the undocumented out of hiding and put them on a path of earned citizenship.” This position and his commitment to issues that matter to the Hispanic community won Senator Obama the endorsement of the Mexican American Democrats in Texas."

The Texas Senate race endorsement was won by Rick Noriega, as his experience and qualifications overwhelmingly overshadowed those of his opponents. “When we think about electing a Senator who will make decisions about the war in Iraq, we want someone who knows what it is to serve in the military,” said Steve Salazar, Chairman of the Mexican American Democrats." Sam Graham-Felsen

Todays Presidential polls

Race Poll Results Spread

General Election:
McCain vs. Clinton Rasmussen (Mon) McCain 49, Clinton 42, Und 9 McCain +7

General Election:
McCain vs. Obama Rasmussen (Mon) McCain 43, Obama 46, Und 11 Obama +3

Republican Presidential Nomination Rasmussen Tracking
McCain 52, Huckabee 27, Paul 8 McCain +25

Democratic Presidential Nomination Rasmussen Tracking
Obama 47, Clinton 43 Obama +4

Clinton: Texas we have a problem

From Huffington Post this morning:

Texas System Worries Clinton Camp (2/18): "Supporters of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton are worried that convoluted delegate rules in Texas could water down the impact of strong support for her among Hispanic voters there, creating a new obstacle for her in the must-win presidential primary contest," the Washington Post reports.

Several top Clinton strategists and fundraisers became alarmed after learning of the state's unusual provisions during a closed-door strategy meeting this month, according to one person who attended.

What Clinton aides discovered is that in certain targeted districts, such as Democratic state Sen. Juan Hinojosa's heavily Hispanic Senate district in the Rio Grande Valley, Clinton could win an overwhelming majority of votes but gain only a small edge in delegates. At the same time, a win in the more urban districts in Dallas and Houston -- where Sen. Barack Obama expects to receive significant support -- could yield three or four times as many delegates.

"What it means is, she could win the popular vote and still lose the race for delegates," Hinojosa said yesterday. "This system does not necessarily represent the opinions of the population, and that is a serious problem."

The disparity in delegate distribution is just one of the unusual aspects of Texas's complex system for apportioning delegates. The scheme has been in use for two decades but is coming under increased scrutiny because the March 4 presidential contest is the first in years that gives the state a potentially decisive voice in choosing the party's nominee.

As ABC's Jake Tapper notes, Texas bloggers are mocking the Clinton campaign for only just realizing these rules, which have been in place for some time. Here's TX blogger Publius:

Good lord, let's see if I have this right. The Clinton campaign decides to cede every post-Super Tuesday state to Obama under the theory that Texas and Ohio will be strong firewalls. After - after - implementing this Rudy-esque strategy, they 'discovered' that the archaic Texas rules will almost certainly result in a split delegate count (at best).

While they were busy 'discovering' the rules, however, the Obama campaign had people on the ground in Texas explaining the system, organizing precincts, and making Powerpoints. I know because I went to one of these meetings a week ago. I should have invited Mark Penn I suppose. (ed. Maybe foresight is an obsolete macrotrend.)

Volunteer, organize for Obama in Fort Bend Texas

As I'm now a Precinct Captain for the Obama Campaign, I'll post some of the organization meetings for Fort Bend County.

Tuesday, Feb. 19 6pm - Caucus Informational Session
Wednesday, Feb 20 6pm Precinct Captain Training
Thursday, Feb 21 6pm Mock Caucus,Caucus Informational Session
Wednesday, Feb 22 10am Precinct Captain Training
Thursday, Feb 21 7pm Informational Session

Or just stop by anytime at our local Obama field office:

13100 Southwest Freeway
Sugar Land, TX 77478
281-313-5349
Hours: Mon-Sun 9am-9pm

Great crowds at the meetings, awesome mix of people...young, old and of every race. A true representation of Fort Bend. And WOW the energy! Fun times ahead.

Signs on the way!!!