Tuesday, February 12, 2008

The Texas Primary Primer

The Texas Inferno--Why it Helps Obama - Publius @ Obsidian Wings
Everything You Needed to Know About the Texas Delegation Process, Pt. 1 - Philip Martin, Burnt Orange Report
There's No Such Thing as the Texas Primary, Part II: Delegate Projections - MattTX, Texans for Obama
Texas Hold'em - Christopher Orr, The Plank

Here I've collected a series of primers on the Texas primary election this coming March. The pundits have taken to calling it a 'primacaucus': one part primary and one part caucus. At stake are 193 pledged delegates along with another 35 super-delegates. The primary election itself--the normal, ballot casting part of the election--accounts for a 126 delegates. That part is simple enough. But the rest of the pledged delegates are decided by a caucus system that starts right after the primary polls are closed. Candidate loyalists are the ones who will typically stick it out to this point. Precinct caucuses are held and then the fun begins. From the precinct, delegates are sent to the county convention, from county convention to state convention and then finally to the national convention in Denver.
There are 67 of these caucus-decided delegates and that part of the system favors the candidate who has the best ground-game and grassroots organization. So, while there are 193 pledged delegates in total at play in Texas, only the 126 primary-elected delegates are decided on the night of March 4. The final tally doesn't occur until some time in June. So those who simply want to cast their ballot can do so throughout the day of March 4th but those who wish to participate in the caucus as well must cast a ballot in the primary and then wait until the polls close. The common wisdom currently being tossed about, as you can see in some of the sites I've linked to, is that the Texas primary, while thought of as a firewall state by the Clinton campaign, isn't a state one can lock up so easily. Convoluted it may be, but it seems to me that the Texas primary offers one of the better ways of granting a voice to the people in both a popular vote and a more elitist caucus vote.
I hope this helps to of you who are going to vote in the Texas primacaucus next month. I don't know if I will participate in the caucus part of the election but I certainly will cast a ballot in the primary. I have the feeling though that my whole family will be there for the caucus.

2 comments:

Emily Rushing said...

very informative, thanks!

FYI
Obama Supporters Rally, Fair Park, Sunday Feb. 17, 2008. 1p.

more information tba

Emily Rushing said...

Giant March and Rally!
Sunday Feb 17th

Start: 02/17/2008 - 1:00pm

End: 02/17/2008 - 5:00pm

Timezone: Etc/GMT-6

We will organize a giant rally and march, ending at Fair Park and will mobilize Obama supporters from Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton, Ellis, Navarro and Limestone counties (to name a few). We will see Babies for Obama, Obama Dallas, Obama Dallas Youth & Young Adults, BarackthevoteUSA, the Hip Hop Government, Latinos for Obama, TarrantCounty for Obama, Seniors for Obama....and more and more.

The path is being cleared for us by Ron Kirk who will speak at the event. He has been a long time Obama supporter.

The city has never seen anything like this - it will be the first time we will unveil our power through our numbers, our diversity, our solidarity and our commitment.

Everyone is encouraged make signs - make your statement - stand up and be counted!

Details are still being determined - We will keep you posted!

Location:

Fair Park

Contact:

Molly Hanchey

Contact Email:

molly@obamadallas.com