Tomorrow's a Big Day!!

[Marilyn]

"On March 4, polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Both Democratic candidates are also urging supporters to attend local precinct conventions beginning at 7:15 p.m. because 67 of Texas’ 193 delegates to the Democratic National Convention will be chosen in the caucus system." from the Austin Star Telegram

I love seeing all the Obama and Hillary signs around our republican town. We may actually attend the precinct convention to see what happens there.

Hubby and I plan to be there at 7 a.m., so guess I'd better get some shut-eye!!:snore:

[CoyoteQueen]

You should have a great time!

[Janet]

Are the candidates going to be there also? Let us know what it's like.

[Marilyn]

Welp, we voted. Now just have to wait and see. I think it's disgusting that so many Republicans are crossing over for the wrong reasons, and Rush Limbaugh is encouraging them to do so. Here's alink to an article on CNN.com: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/

Here's a bit of the article.

"On his Monday show, several listeners appeared dismayed that Limbaugh was urging them to support the New York senator.
"Wouldn't you love to cream Hillary though…why are you so afraid of her? Look at how ineptly she has campaigned against Obama," Limbaugh responded to one listener who said she wanted to see Clinton out of the race immediately.
"I'm asking people to cross over, and if they can stomach it and I know it's a difficult thing to do, vote for Clinton," he also told Ingraham Friday. "But it will sustain this soap opera, and it's something I think we need and it'll be fun, too."
Several recent polls suggest Clinton is statically tied with Obama in Texas, and the New York senator's campaign has characterized Tuesday's vote as a crucial test of strength."

I believe you should support your candidate straight up, no manipulating of another party's race.

I did get a ticket to attend the convention at 7:30 this evening. The candidates won't be there unless a local one is in our precinct. These are small precinct conventions. There are 35 precincts in our county, and each will hold a convention tonight. A presidential caucus will be held at each convention. At the caucus, a delegate will be elected. Delegates from each precinct attend a district caucus on March 29th where Delegates will be elected to attend the state convention in Austin on June 6th. From the state convention 228 delegates are chosen to attend the national convention which will be held August 25-28. When the Clintons refer to voters in Texas voting twice, they are referring to voting at the poll and returning that evening to vote in the caucus.

[Marilyn]

Well, we attended the precinct convention following the primary and it was a very interesting experience. As a result of the caucus, hubby and I are both now Obama delegates to the county democratic convention on March 29th. :eek: We never expected this to happen. I doubt that we will progress beyond this convention. Wouldn't it be something though if we did get to the national convention. That would be quite an experience. They elected 16 delegates out of the 91 people in attendence. 7 for Obama and 9 for Clinton, based on the percentage of supporters supporting each candidate who attended the convention. We are in one of the two largest precincts in our county. I think I'm beginning to see how the caucuses can affect the results.

I can't believe Hillary is carrying Ohio and now may win Texas. I don't know that I could support her at the national level, and that could be a requirement of being a delegate beyond the local level depending on how our county convention goes.

Will just have to see what happens. Ain't life interesting!!

[pearl]

sounds fun, marilyn. hilary is just a bit ahead in texas now, but big numbers are still out in some big cities! i love sitting and watching numbers come in.
i went to the democratic caucuses in colorado for the first time, it was really interesting. kind of chaotic, but we got it done! huge turnout.
i'm going to be an election judge here in november.

my niece wants to be president. she's graduating from high school this year, she's actually chosen ohio as her state.

[Janet]

According to the morning news...looks like she won Ohio, Texas and Rhode Island.

Even though you're not for Hillary, Marilyn, I don't think I would want to be a delegate if they told me how to vote.

I've just never realised as much as through this thread and a couple others here just how unfair and really how sad our system is. I will always use my right to vote, but in the bigger picture...what's the point? Makes me sad.

[Tiramisu]

A perfect world - President Clinton & Vice President Obama. I did vote and caucus for Clinton. Then, I had a nightmare that Hillary would be Pres and Bill VP.

[CoyoteQueen]

A perfect world - President Clinton & Vice President Obama. I did vote and caucus for Clinton. Then, I had a nightmare that Hillary would be Pres and Bill VP.


If I dreamed that I would need therapy!!!!

[Jess36]

How cool Marilyn. I'm bummed that he didn't take Texas and Ohio, but oh well. At least I may get a chance to see him speak in Pennsylvania now.

[CoyoteQueen]

lmao, jess our forum obama girl! may I just point out..............MCCAIN!!!!!!!! an American Hero, POW :p

[Jess36]

I'm darn proud of it! I'm going to take lots of pictures for you if I get a chance to see him speak, lol.

[CoyoteQueen]

LMAO! who do you want in the whitehouse at 3 am? We know during the previous Clinton admin probably he wasnt in at 3 am...........he was out Tomcatting around!!!!!!

poor Hilary!

[catlover]

Then, I had a nightmare that Hillary would be Pres and Bill VP.

That can't really happen, can it?!!!

[Lissa]

If you look at history most presidents cheated on their wives while they were in office. When you're the most powerful man in the world women just throw themselves at them, and in moments of stress it gets difficult to resist, especially when you have a political marriage like the Clintons do. Not giving them an excuse though, cheating is wrong no matter who you are.

I'd rather Obama get the Democratic party's nomination, but I don't see a Democrat winning the national election in November. It looks like McCain is gonna be the next President of the US.

My soon-to-be Hubby is already making plans to move to the Bahamas if Hillary wins, he was originally saying Canada, but I like the Bahamas better, they're not cold.

[Marilyn]

Melissa, your pop and I will do what we can to keep Hillary out of the White House. We sure don't want you ending up in the Bahamas!! The Texas caucuses are currently favoring Obama, however all the results are not in yet. So Texas may still give Obama a few more delegates. It's not an all or nothing deal in either Texas or Ohio. Hillary may have won, but the margin in Texas was not that large. They will split the delegates pretty evenly if the caucuses stay on the current track.

Pennsylvania, has to come out strong for Obama. Gooooo Pennsylvania!!!

[Jess36]

The cheating thing was bad, but it was the lying that really put it over the top. He's cheated on her so many times throughout their marriage, I just don't see how that marriage could be anything but a convenient agreement to achieve their political aspirations. Too bad for Bill, because he could have gone down as one of the best presidents. He screwed it all up for a 20 year old kid. So stupid.

Also, Hillary is not my favorite by any means. I hate that she is so flakey, and whines at Barack for doing the same things she does. She comes across as awfully snotty during their debates, and it just reinforces the idea that she is a true politician. People are tired of the same old choices, and the includes Hillary. I will be doing some serious volunteer work in Pennsylvania to get the word out.

[AngieDoogles]

lmao, jess our forum obama girl!

Nope, that's my title! :p I've been supporting Obama since before he even announced he was running. Maybe we could share the title. ;) :D

[CoyoteQueen]

sure Angie!!! I think in this case Jess will gladly share her man!

My husband says that being the president is a stressful job and he thinks presidents should have a "harem" to choose from to relieve the stress. But then he is from Kenya, and we all know Kenyans are crazy, especially Luo Kenyans......... :p OMG!!!! jess, isnt that what Obama is??? :p

[Marilyn]

Obama's father is from Kenya. They say the whole country over there is watching and rooting for him.

We thought people were ready for a change, but they say in the last three days the undecided voters in both Texas and Ohio jumped on the Hillary wagon. Most of the large cities went for Obama, but the small towns almost unanimously favored Hillary in Texas. I was very surprised at that. They say the "traditional" democrats will go for her because of her experience, the sympathy they give her because of Bill's indescretion, and the alliances the Clintons have forged over so very many years.

I'm worried now about Florida and Michigan. They are back in play and may redo their primaries. Both favored Hillary. (Their delegates will not be allowed to count because they violated national party rules and heald their primaries too early.) On one hand it does not seem fair, however, both states knew going in that they were breaking the rules and what the consequences would be and they did it anyway. They had a big meeting about it in Washington this evening and are trying to get the delegates to count.

[pearl]

i don't understand floriad and michigan doing that. it makes not sense. violate rules then want the delegates to count. something wrong there!

i'm for hilary right now, despite all the past. i think she's got what it takes to do what needs to be done more than obama.

[CoyoteQueen]

Obama's father is from Kenya. They say the whole country over there is watching and rooting for him.

.

Obama's father and my husband are from the same tribe. Africans everywhere are rooting for him. I got an email lately from a friend in Zimbabwe asking if this is possible! Could the US actually have a Kenyan American president or was it media hype!!!

Most of the Africans I know tend to be quite liberal as well. So he is on the perfect typical for their support. However, the support isnt going to count because they can't vote.

[yorkiemalt]

Obama's father and my husband are from the same tribe. Africans everywhere are rooting for him. I got an email lately from a friend in Zimbabwe asking if this is possible! Could the US actually have a Kenyan American president or was it media hype!!!

Most of the Africans I know tend to be quite liberal as well. So he is on the perfect typical for their support. However, the support isnt going to count because they can't vote.

*inserts fainting smilie*

[Jess36]

I will gladly share my title Angie! I wish there were more people around here that were interested in him. People boo me all the time b/c of my Obama '08 sticker on the car, lol. Or it could be the Philadelphia Eagles sticker...oh well.
Even though Hillary won, he is still ahead in delegates, and it is pretty unlikely that she will overtake that lead. It will probably come down to some sleazy back room politics, in which case she'll win b/c of her connections.
I'm not surprised that she won Ohio, because that state is tailor made for her. Blue collar, middle class citizens tend to vote for her. Pennsylvania is the same unfortunately. He'll for sure take Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and probably Harrisburg as well. But Hillary will probably get everywhere else. I've all ready joined a couple of different groups so that I can help get the word out.
Florida and Michigan's delegates should not be allowed to count. Obama spent zero time campaigning in either state, and his name wasn't even on the ballot in Michigan. How is that fair for her to automatically get those delegates? It was Hillary or Kucinich for most of the democrats to vote for. My vote would have gone for Kucinich if that was the choice. I'm starting to get nervous, that's for sure....

[Marilyn]

Jess, I'm hearing more and more that he will have the most delegates going into the national convention, but what happens there could be a different story. It all boils down to who the delegates at the convention believe has the better chance of beating McCain. How Obama fairs between now and then will make the difference. He has to come on very strong and not just talk about change. Whether he wants to or not, he's going to have to attach Hillary to have a chance. They are questioning his real estate dealings, he has to question hers. They question his truthfulness about his position on NAFTA, he has to find something to counter.

The most important topic of the campaign is the not the war or healthcare, it's the economy. He has to show that he has a strong plan.

The people have to believe that he is up to the challenge of being Commander-in-Chief, bottomline.

If you want some good information on the campaign, tune into XM130 POTUS 08 (Politics Of The US 08), Politically neutral, unbiased, commercial-free presidential campaign news 24/7.

[pearl]

something just said on the news, and i haven't done the math so don't know if it's accurate...that without any of the florida and michigan delegates counted neither obama nor hilary can get the needed number of delegates...2025...to get the nomination.
don't know if they are including the superdelegates or not.
but, obama wasn't even on the michigan ballot.

[Marilyn]

something just said on the news, and i haven't done the math so don't know if it's accurate...that without any of the florida and michigan delegates counted neither obama nor hilary can get the needed number of delegates...2025...to get the nomination.
don't know if they are including the superdelegates or not.
but, obama wasn't even on the michigan ballot.

That's correct. I don't know that with them counted, either one can get enough to clinch it. Whoever has the most going to the convention though should be favored at the conventions, so that's why each vote is so important at this stage. Hillary is pushing hard for these votes to count, since she won both primaries. And as you said, Obama wasn't even on the Michigan ballot. The only way I can see to have these states count is a do over, but no one wants to pay for it. The states want the National Democratic Party to pay & why should they when the states knowingly broke the rules. The states should pay if they want their votes to count. If the rules are bent on this, why do we even have rules?? The Republicans have the same issue, only since McCain is a clear winner, it's a non-issue for them. 1/2 of the Republican delegates from the two states will not count.

Do you realize that if Ralph Nader had not run in 2000, Bush would not have become president. Nader pulled enough of the votes from Al Gore in Florida that had he not run, there would have been no need for a recount. It's amazing in a country so large how little things can have such a great effect.

[Jess36]

I have sirius, so I can't listen to that station. :( But my brother has XM, and he loves listening to that. I still think he has a chance of winning this thing. If he continues on with leading the popular vote, all hell will break lose if the superdelegates side with Hillary. Unforunately, I feel that may happen. I called my sister this morning, so she could find out where in Philly they will be speaking at. I guess Chelsea was all ready at UPenn last night. Doesn't sound like they want to take any chances. I'm going to Philly sunday to go to visit my grandparent's grave, but hopefully I can do something while I'm down there to get involved. If not, I plan on going Monday morning with my daughter. I don't want to sit this one out.

[pearl]

Do you realize that if Ralph Nader had not run in 2000, Bush would not have become president. Nader pulled enough of the votes from Al Gore in Florida that had he not run, there would have been no need for a recount. It's amazing in a country so large how little things can have such a great effect.

yes! i used to hear back then "george bush won by one vote." meaning the supreme court vote of 5-4.

[judy]

Marilyn - how exciting that you're such a big part of this! I'm on the Obama train as well, but I think that he and Hillary should join forces (to a point) or McCain is going to win.

If they continue their fighting, they'll just look foolish. I agree with you Jess - they would win if they teamed up. I'm looking at the bigger picture though and would like to see a Democratic President for a change. I'm not liking what we have now one little bit.

I don't see much difference between Hillary and McCain. He's not bad, and neither is she. I just want change in our country. I also really like Obama. Michelle is a wonderful woman too!

I hope he wins (crossing fingers)

[judy]

....and I think Ralph Nader is an old fool! He's just taking votes away from the Dems.

He forgot to call me and ask my opinion!

[Marilyn]

Judy, we don't have that great a part. What we are doing so far is at the local level. There are probably a lot of people at the next level who have been active for a long time who will advance to state and national way before we would. It's just cool to be inside what is going and learning how all of this works.

I'd be very concerned if Hillary is elected, and we are afraid that McCain will prolong the war and bring back the draft. We can't keep sending the same folks back to Iraq and Afganistan over and over. I don't know what I would do if one of our daughters was drafted or our future son-in-law. We've told them to join the Navy if it ever looks like they are in danger of the draft. The media is saying that college will not be a deferrment if the draft comes back, but there has got to be some loophole. There is no way all the legislators will allow their children to go. Bush's daughters would never go. Of course no one would ever want Bush's daughters to go. We might not agree with the man, but his daughters would not last 10 minutes if they were deployed, and no one would want that.