TIME: Obama has won Texas

by: mariochampion

Wed Apr 02, 2008 at 14:04:24 PM CDT

Sen. Barack Obama has won the overall delegate race in Texas thanks to a strong showing in Democratic county conventions this past weekend.

[...snip...]

The precinct caucuses elected delegates to about 280 county and state senate district conventions on Saturday. The AP awarded the remaining delegates based on results from Saturday's conventions, showing Obama with about 58 percent of vote, compared to 42 percent for Clinton.

The good news is there, but, as the songs says, there are miles to go before we sleep. Don't forget to Make Calls for Obama, and be prepared to be called on for State Convention organizing.  

OBAMA PRECINCT LEADERS TRAINING

by: mariochampion

Fri Mar 21, 2008 at 14:55:27 PM CDT

Training for Obama Delegation Chairs
Training for ANYONE who has or will have any leadership role in your precinct!!!

Greetings!

If you have attended a training, have contacted your delegates from your precinct, know who is being nominated and who is assigned to vote for those nominees, then you need not join us.

If you don't know what I'm talking about in the first paragraph, then you REALLY need to either come to this meeting or contact the Obama Staffers to get trained.

Training Time & Location:
Saturday, March 22nd, 5:00 pm
816 Congress, 2nd Floor

We'll stay until every question is answered and we'll assist you with understanding the strategy you need to use in YOUR precinct.

Every precinct MUST meet before the Saturday convention to decide their precinct's strategy.   If your precinct is NOT meeting, you can expect that you will lose in your elections and/or will have a real problem dealing with the Precinct Caucus on the 29th!

Please do the following:
1)   Get yourself trained.
2)   Get your Obama delegates and alternates together to plan your strategy
3)  Tell us if you are NOT able to organize your precinct so that someone who is trained and can do so can step up to the plate.

Sincerely,
Glen Maxey  512-656-6337
Obama Staffers:
Ronnie or Victoria:  512-476-2008

Travis County, Pct277 Organization and House Party

by: ewiley28

Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 09:58:03 AM CDT

Hillary Messes With Texas

by: Colin Kalmbacher

Sun Mar 16, 2008 at 01:59:10 AM CDT

Gonna do this one drive-by style and let the Dallas Morning News article speak for itself, by and large. This hasn't gotten out to the greater blogosphere yet, so here goes:

Hillary Clinton and her lawyers are trying to cast doubt on the precinct conventions.

Hillary Clinton and her lawyers are trying to deligitimize the concept of the convention itself.

Hillary Clinton and her lawyers are trying to drag out the delegate selection process for their benefit.

And ultimately, Hillary Clinton and her lawyers are probably trying to null and void as much of the convention/caucus aspect of Texas' delegate selection process as possible.  

Why Attending the County Convention is CRUCIAL!

by: derek

Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 11:18:09 AM CDT

"Even elected and caucus delegates are not required to stay with whomever they are pledged to."
-- Sen. Hillary Clinton, in an interview with Newsweek.

Over the last several days, Senator Clinton has been dropping quotes like these to the news media.  What does she mean?  Does she really think committed Obama supporters will change their minds?  No.  Instead, she is hoping that Obama supporters will be no-shows to the county conventions on March 29th.  I know many of us may have been especially pumped up on Election Day and now could be having second thoughts about attending the convention at the end of March.  You might be rationalizing that an alternate could fill your spot.  Don't count on it!  Unless you want Hillary to steal our delegate lead in the Texas Caucuses, we NEED every delegate and every alternate at the county convention on March 29th.

Travis County Democratic Convention:
http://www.traviscountydemocra...

Read about caucus delegate process:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/a...
http://www.dailykos.com/story/...

Election Day Woes and Mischief

by: Aimlessness

Fri Mar 07, 2008 at 09:35:53 AM CST

Yep!  We get to vote twice.  If you are a delegate all the way to state, then you get to vote 4 times.  You can change your vote every time, too.

Here is what I know about election rigging:

In the city of Denton where Obama is strong due to two universities, caucus chairs were not given voter rolls to verify voters that didn't have their voter cards stamped or have caucus cards.  

You are supposed to be able to show your driver's license and have it looked up on the roles.  No rolls.  Many poll workers weren't stamping cards and weren't giving the receipt cards.  We were told that it would be okay because we would have the rolls just as we did in years past.  

It more likely that minority and young voters would be less likely to know to ask for a caucus card when using their drivers license to vote or would know that their cards are supposed to be stamped.  So to tell the folks running the caucuses that they should only allow those that have a stamped card or a caucus card seems to me to be a way to throw the caucus toward Clinton by keeping out the Obama supporters.  It also seems like a Civil Rights Violations.

Also in Denton in the area where minorities were voting, the street was torn up all the way around the polling location.  The name of the polling location? Martin Luther King Recreation Center.  But I'm sure that was just a coincidence...just because they tore it up the night before the election we shouldn't draw any conclusions...

The Clinton people were insisting that caucus goers must have either a stamped voter id card or a caucus card.  Gee, I wonder who was forgetting to stamp cards unless directly asked?

I am going to bet that it was Obama's young supporters and African-American voters 2 to 1 without stamps on their cards.

Another problem...they changed all of the precincts in Denton County.  Precincts were combined, split given totally new numbers.  The precinct numbers reflected in the TexasVan (online voter files) showed the old precincts, not the new ones.  

When I tried to call in our precinct, the recording said that our precinct was allotted 20 delegates, but I did the math and came up with 31.  The number on the packet for the caucus said 31.  Because of this, I was unable to call in my precinct.

In years past, 5 to 10 people would show up for a precinct convention/caucus.  Most folks didn't even know about them until this year when the candidates were promoting it at every stop.  In 2006 and 2004, my precinct caucus had only 3 people in attendence.  This year there were 180, and I think that some left without signing in for a candidate. Others had as much as 287 attendees.

None of the polling sites were adequate to handle this kind of turn out.  It was pandamonium.

The Clintons who along with their staffers helped to create this mess that we have in Texas, are now contesting the caucuses!?!

That is some serious nerve!

Texas Caucus (with pictures) for Obama

by: alex

Wed Mar 05, 2008 at 15:39:53 PM CST

We'll wake up and realize that the results of the Texas caucus matter. And that is why I've included some pictures along with this diary - to remind other Obama supporters to remain hopeful and stay positive because we are better off after March 4 than we were before it! I was one of several Obama precinct captains in Travis County #146, meeting at Lee Elementary.

We took 13 of the precinct's 18 delegates.

Early caucus returns for Austin

by: Ian

Tue Mar 04, 2008 at 22:05:39 PM CST

Precinct 105
Obama - 27 delegates
Clinton - 7 delegates

Precinct 108
Obama - 14 delegates
Clinton - 8 delegates

Precinct 121
Obama - 24 delegates
Clinton - 2 delegates

Precinct 122
Obama - 27 delegates
Clinton - 4 delegates

Precinct 124
Obama - 42 delegates
Clinton - 8 delegates

Precinct 126
Obama - 46 delegates
Clinton - 8 delegates

Precinct 129
Obama - 27 delegates
Clinton - 3 delegates

Precinct 130
Obama - 28 delegates
Clinton - 10 delegates

Precinct 132
Obama - 28 delegates
Clinton - 5 delegates

Precinct 135
Obama - 44 delegates
Clinton - 17 delegates

Precinct 136
Obama - 68 delegates
Clinton - 22 delegates

Precinct 140
Obama - 16 delegates
Clinton - 5 delegates

Precinct 145
Obama - 33 delegates
Clinton - 11 delegates

Precinct 146
Obama - 13 delegates
Clinton - 5 delegates

Precinct 149
Obama - 20 delegates
Clinton - 8 delegates

Precinct 152
Obama - 65 delegates
Clinton - 24 delegates

Precinct 153
Obama - 40 delegates
Clinton - 17 delegates

Precinct 160
Obama - 11 delegates
Clinton - 6 delegates

Precinct 162
Obama - 15 delegates
Clinton - 8 delegates

Precinct 207
Obama - 30 delegates
Clinton - 14 delegates

Precinct 209
Obama - 21 delegates
Cllinton - 6 delegates

Precinct 210
Obama - 28 delegates
Clinton - 10 delegates

Precinct 211
Obama - 19 delegates
Clinton - 12 delegates

Precinct 213
Obama - 13 delegates
Clinton - 7 delegates

Precinct 214
Obama - 25 delegates
Clinton - 12 delegates

Precinct 222
Obama - 21 delegates
Clinton - 5 delegates

Precinct 235
Obama - 30 delegates
Clinton - 12 delegates

Precinct 236
Obama - 42 delegates
Clinton - 19 delegates

Precinct 239
Obama - 39 delegates
Clinton - 18 delegates

Precinct 240
Obama - 14 delegates
Clinton - 8 delegates

Precinct 241
Obama - 25 delegates
Clinton - 13 delegates

Precinct 242
Obama - 63 delegates
Clinton - 28 delegates

Precinct 250
Obama - 45 delegates
Clinton - 15 delegates

Precinct 251
Obama - 45 delegates
Clinton - 15 delegates

Precinct 253
Obama - 26 delegates
Clinton - 16 delegates

Precinct 254
Obama - 30 delegates
Clinton - 13 delegates

Precinct 256
Obama - 30 delegates
Clinton - 12 delegates

Precinct 262
Obama - 29 delegates
Clinton - 19 delegates

Precinct 266
Obama - 37 delegates
Clinton - 11 delegates

Precinct 267
Obama - 13 delegates
Clinton - 5 delegates

Precinct 274
Obama - 37 delegates
Clinton - 14 delegates

Precinct 275
Obama - 54 delegates
Clinton - 17 delegates

Precinct 277
Obama - 20 delegates
Clinton - 8 delegates

Precinct 278
Obama - 37 delegates
Clinton - 15 delegates

Precinct 307
Obama - 18 delegates
Clinton - 14 delegates

Precinct 326
Obama - 17 delegates
Clinton - 11 delegates

Precinct 328
Obama - 42 delegates
Clinton - 21 delegates

Precinct 331
Obama - 28 delegates
Clinton - 11 delegates

Precinct 332
Obama - 51 delegates
Clinton - 21 delegates

Precinct 347
Obama - 43 delegates
Clinton - 16 delegates

Precinct 354
Obama - 43 delegates
Clinton - 25 delegates

PRECINCT 359
Obama - 21 delegates
Hillary - 8 delegates

Precinct 360
Obama - 27 delegates
Clinton - 20 delegates

Precinct 363
Obama - 15 delegates
Clinton - 9 delegates

Precinct 364
Obama - 41 delegates
Clinton - 18 delegates

Precinct 367
Obama - 30 delegates
Clinton - 17 delegates

Precinct 377
Obama - 20 delegates
Clinton - 10 delegates

Precinct 409
Obama - 17 delegates
Clinton - 9 delegates

Precinct 404
Obama - 4 delegates
Clinton - 2 delegates

Precinct 420
Obama - 28 delegates
Clinton - 10 delegates

Precinct 421
Obama - 38 delegates
Clinton - 17 delegates

Precinct 422
Obama - 34 delegates
Clinton - 14 delegates

Precinct 423
Obama - 14 delegates
Clinton - 14 delegates

Precinct 426
Obama - 13 delegates
Clinton - 14 delegates

Precinct 429
Obama - 19 delegates
Clinton - 9 delegates

Precinct 430
Obama - 13 delegates
Clinton - 5 delegates

Precinct 437
Obama - 40 delegates
Clinton - 15 delegates

Precinct 439
Obama - 16 delegates
Clinton - 10 delegates

Precinct 441
Obama - 25 delegates
Clinton - 16 delegates

Precinct 444
Obama - 3 delegates
Clinton - 2 delegates

Precinct 446
Obama - 16 delegates
Clinton - 9 delegates

Precinct 451
Obama - 9 delegates
Clinton - 7 delegates

Precicnt 460
Obama - 31 delegates
Clinton - 18 delegates

Precinct 461
Obama - 36 delegates
Clinton - 17 delegates

Precinct 462
Obama - 18 delegates
Clinton - 6 delegates

If you have caucus results from your precinct, please send them to volunteer@texansforobama.com.  Thanks!

Alternate Site: Texas Two Step Basics

by: Lisa Losasso

Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 14:39:03 PM CST

www.voteandshowup.com

Spread the word to every supporter you know.  Barack it Out, TEXAS! Every delegate counts!

Find your precinct/caucus location

by: Texas Obama Volunteers

Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 12:46:34 PM CST

After you vote in tomorrow's primary, you need to complete the Texas Two-Step by returning to your precinct location to caucus for Obama. If you are a precinct captain, be there by 6:45pm. Everyone, aim for 7:00pm, be no later than 7:15pm.

If you have any questions, please call (512) 476-2008.

How To Caucus in Texas

by: kath25

Mon Mar 03, 2008 at 11:04:41 AM CST

So. If you're wondering about how to caucus in Texas, this diary is for you.

Prepare Yourself

Obama Election Hotline: If you see something strange, call the hotline. Polls not open at 7 a.m.? Caucus doors close before 7:15 p.m.? Call the hotline. Put the number in your phones now. 877-48-OBAMA or 877-486-2262 or 512-476-2008.

Download a Caucus Fact Sheet in English OR Spanish from the Resource Center.

Also read up on the Texas Caucus Bill of Rights.

More info below the fold...

Do Step 2 (of the Texas2Step) like a Pro

by: mariochampion

Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 09:56:49 AM CST

They walk you thru the forms step by step, as well as provide loads of practical advice (Bring pens, calculators, and make sure at least one supporter is there by 7pm to get the packet!)

Some key elements:
-Preparation: what to do before the convention
-Eighteen steps for conducting the precinct convention
-Practical exercises in calculation (the math part!)
-Resolutions: a few resources
-Solutions to the practical exercises

Read it, know it, share it, please!
http://bexardemocrats.org/2008PrecinctConventionTraining.html

(h/t to BOR for the post)

If you want to Caucus, but have to work...

by: vitaminBB

Tue Feb 26, 2008 at 16:52:45 PM CST

You have a right to take part in the precinct convention of your party if you voted in the 2008 primary for that same party.  Your work schedule cannot interfere with that right.  Here's what the Texas Election Code says: http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/st...

§ 161.007.  UNLAWFULLY PROHIBITING EMPLOYEE FROM ATTENDING POLITICAL CONVENTION.
(a)  A person commits an offense if, with respect to another over whom the person has authority in the scope of employment, the person knowingly:

        (1)  refuses to permit the other person to be absent from work for the purpose of attending a precinct convention in which the other person is eligible to participate or attending a county, district, or state convention to which the other person is a delegate;  or
        (2)  subjects or threatens to subject the other person to a penalty for the purpose of preventing or retaliating for the other person's attendance at a precinct convention in which the other person is eligible to participate or for the other person's attendance at a county, district, or state convention to which the other person is a delegate.

(b)  In this section, "penalty" means a loss or reduction of wages or other benefit of employment other than a deduction for the actual time of absence from work.

(c)  An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

Hillary's Alamo? Updated TX Delegate Projections

by: MattTX

Fri Feb 22, 2008 at 11:08:21 AM CST

About a week ago, I projected that Hillary Clinton would beat Barack Obama statewide by about 5%. But because of Texas' Byzantine delegate selection rules, I projected that Obama would come out ahead in the pledged delegate race, 98-95.

But many new polls of Texas have come out in the last few days. I used these polls to improve and update my model and my projections. My new projections, by LoneStarProject (LSP) region:

Click below the fold for much, much more.

Stateman's Delegate and conventions graphic

by: mariochampion

Mon Feb 18, 2008 at 16:13:30 PM CST

Check it out, below. Click the 'There's More' link

"My first caucus in 36 years"

by: mariochampion

Mon Feb 18, 2008 at 13:37:01 PM CST

Like Hillary I cut my chops in Texas precinct politics in 1972. I had just turned 21 and it was my first election. After we had a primary who decided who would hold all the state-wide offices (the Republican Party was not a factor in state offices) we went back for a precinct meeting to determine who our state delegates would vote for. Much to my fathers dismay I and my friends sided with those leftist University Professors and our precincts went for McGovern. I went to the County convention as an alternate. In Texas we have a hybrid system where about a third of the delegates come out of precinct meetings. The Obama people are here in force and I will be caucusing for Obama after the polls. Don't be surprised to see Obama win Texas because there are a lot of folks like me. Caucusing for the first time in 36 years because we have a voice that is inspiring us.

Leave a comment to let us know how long it's been since you caucused -- or is this your first time?

Texas 2 Step flier -Update

by: audreyjoymaker

Thu Feb 14, 2008 at 11:59:37 AM CST

and here is the link to download for printing
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9...

Become a Texas Precinct captain

by: mariochampion

Wed Feb 13, 2008 at 13:03:47 PM CST

Dear Texan for Obama,

Become a Precinct Captain.

My name is Adrian Saenz, and I'm the State Director for the Obama campaign in Texas.

I'm writing to remind you that the Texas primary is coming up very soon -- Tuesday, March 4th -- and to tell you how you can play a major role in our campaign in the Lone Star State.

Grassroots organizing is crucial here in Texas, and you can make a big difference in your community by getting involved now.

Sign up to be an Obama Precinct Captain:

http://my.barackobama.com/TXpr...

There is No Such Thing as the Texas Primary Part II: Delegate Projections

by: MattTX

Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 02:08:49 AM CST

Previously we examined delegate allocation and the caucus process in Texas. The short version is that:

1. Texas has 193 pledged delegates, as well as 35 unpledged delegates
2. The Statewide Primary vote, by itself, determines no delegates and is merely a "beauty contest," except insofar as it translates into delegates elected in State Senate Districts, or through caucuses (in order to participate in caucuses, one must also have voted in the primary). It is very much possible that whoever wins the sum of the Senatorial District Primaries will not win the majority of Texas' delegates.
3. 126 pledged delegates will be allocated proportionally in 31 separate primary elections conducted in each of Texas' State Senate Districts.
4. 67 pledged delegates will be allocated through Texas' caucus system, the first round of which will be held in precincts across Texas at 7:15 PM on March 4th. 42 of these will be rank and file "at large" delegates, and will ultimately come from ordinary people who participate at their precinct caucuses, while 25 will be party leaders and elected officials (PLEOs).

Click the link below read the rest:

Newspaper Articles on the Texas Primary/Caucus Hybrid System

by: MattTX

Sun Feb 10, 2008 at 10:44:22 AM CST