# Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont - March 4th, 2008 **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 20, 2008, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-ohio-rhode-island-and-vermont-march-4th-2008/438410 "2008-02-20T20:02:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2008, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-ohio-rhode-island-and-vermont-march-4th-2008/438410/261 "2008-03-05T03:42:16Z")
With a win in Ohio, Clinton will take this all the way to the convention for sure. Ohio holds an almost mystical importance every November. The last time a Democratic convention was really contested was 1968. Dump the Hump! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2008, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-ohio-rhode-island-and-vermont-march-4th-2008/438410/262 "2008-03-05T03:45:59Z")
[QUOTE=Shayna] This night is far from over. [/QUOTE] True, right _now_ Texas is 600 votes apart!!! :eek: :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Jurph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/50afbb/32.png) [@Jurph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurph)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2008, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-ohio-rhode-island-and-vermont-march-4th-2008/438410/263 "2008-03-05T03:50:47Z")
[QUOTE=DrDeth] **7:30PST** HRC is clobbering Obama in Ohio (and RI) nearly 60/40. Ohio is _very_ meaningful. Important state. [/QUOTE] I’m only seeing 52% of precincts reporting, and some of the big Obama precincts are yet to come through. I still think she’ll win, but I doubt she’ll take 60% of the delegates. ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2008, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-ohio-rhode-island-and-vermont-march-4th-2008/438410/264 "2008-03-05T03:51:59Z")
I got back from the caucas here in beautiful North Dallas (Plano area) a few minutes ago. It was a freakin’ zoo! I had to park a good half mile away (and went down the wrong street looking for my car on the way back out), and the place was just packed. There had to be about 500 people packed in the cafeteria at one point, and for quite a while it seemed like no one really knew what was going on. Finally they explained that we were waiting for people to finish voting in the gym, and once they were done we’d be split up into precincts so we could proceed. I think voting finally finished around 8:30 PM and we herded our way up to vote. At one point they asked people voting for Obama to get in one line and Hillary in the other. I though to myself “Ok, Democrats and independents here, Republicans over there then.” I finally got to sign in for Obama around 9:30 PM. It took forever, but it was relatively orderly all things considered. No violent outbreaks or anything. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2008, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-ohio-rhode-island-and-vermont-march-4th-2008/438410/265 "2008-03-05T04:01:20Z")
Fox calling Ohio for Clinton now. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2008, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-ohio-rhode-island-and-vermont-march-4th-2008/438410/266 "2008-03-05T04:01:54Z")
[QUOTE=Jurph] I’m only seeing 52% of precincts reporting, and some of the big Obama precincts are yet to come through. I still think she’ll win, but I doubt she’ll take 60% of the delegates. [/QUOTE] CNN has just called it for her. 58% as of now. Yes, not quite 60% although RI \*is \*60%. RI is hardly critical, however. My prediction is HRC in Ohio by 56+% HRC now has a slight edge in TX. 20,000 votes. My prediction is a virtual tie. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2008, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-ohio-rhode-island-and-vermont-march-4th-2008/438410/267 "2008-03-05T04:04:27Z")
[QUOTE=DrDeth] CNN has just called it for her. 58% as of now. Yes, not quite 60% although RI \*is \*60%. RI is hardly critical, however. My prediction is HRC in Ohio by 56+% [/QUOTE] _By_ 56%? She could use numbers like that! 🙂 I think it’ll come down more, and she’ll take OH by barely 10% in the end. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2008, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-ohio-rhode-island-and-vermont-march-4th-2008/438410/268 "2008-03-05T04:05:59Z")
> [@](#): > > The sheer numbers of Dem voters, just watching the news, are looking amazing in Texas. Should the eventual nominee retain the goodwill of a good portion of his/her opponent’s supporters, Texas would require some serious attention from McCain. More Democrats are going to vote today than Republicans. The Republican nomination race is essentially over and Republican primary votes at this point are basically symbolic. The Democratic primary votes are still meaningful. ---
**Author:** ![ArizonaTeach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2008, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-ohio-rhode-island-and-vermont-march-4th-2008/438410/269 "2008-03-05T04:13:10Z")
ABC called Ohio for HRC, with a 16% spread: 57% to 41%. The Texas battle is too close to call, with Hillary up by 3. Interesting. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2008, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-ohio-rhode-island-and-vermont-march-4th-2008/438410/270 "2008-03-05T04:15:06Z")
Of course, it’s important to remember that this talk about winning states is mostly nonsense in the Democratic primaries and caucuses this year. Clinton was expected to win the popular vote in Ohio and may win it Texas, but it’s dubious that she’ll actually gain very much in the way of actual delegates. The spin that these are huge victories in delegate-rich states obscures that very basic fact. I honestly don’t know why the media even talks about candidates winning states. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2008, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-ohio-rhode-island-and-vermont-march-4th-2008/438410/271 "2008-03-05T04:16:20Z")
God in heaven, this is going to seriously stick a fork in my hope gland. Stupid Ohio… We’re doomed if she’s the nominee. Doomed. We’re looking at four more years of Republican misrule. Thank god I have a therapy session tomorrow… ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2008, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-ohio-rhode-island-and-vermont-march-4th-2008/438410/272 "2008-03-05T04:18:05Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] God in heaven, this is going to seriously stick a fork in my hope gland. Stupid Ohio… We’re doomed if she’s the nominee. Doomed. We’re looking at four more years of Republican misrule. Thank god I have a therapy session tomorrow… [/QUOTE] Jesus, why is everyone acting like this is some sort of huge surprise? Obama’s doing fine, he’s still on schedule, Clinton didn’t get huge blowouts in Texas and Ohio. I mean, was anyone really expecting Obama to take Ohio? Relax, people, everything’s fine. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2008, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-ohio-rhode-island-and-vermont-march-4th-2008/438410/273 "2008-03-05T04:18:19Z")
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I’ll quit the party if Clinton is the nominee. Not because Clinton is that bad, but because the Democrats seem to have no interest in winning. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2008, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-ohio-rhode-island-and-vermont-march-4th-2008/438410/274 "2008-03-05T04:18:22Z")
[QUOTE=cricetus] Of course, it’s important to remember that this talk about winning states is mostly nonsense in the Democratic primaries and caucuses this year. Clinton was expected to win the popular vote in Ohio and may win it Texas, but it’s dubious that she’ll actually gain very much in the way of actual delegates. The spin that these are huge victories in delegate-rich states obscures that very basic fact. I honestly don’t know why the media even talks about candidates winning states. [/QUOTE] It’s the narrative. If Obama had blown her out in Ohio and Texas, she’s done. There’s literally nothing she can really say to justify staying in it. Now…she can spin this so fast it’ll have its own field effect. Those 50 superdelegates who were leaning to Obama? They have justification for holding out now. This is going to go to the goddamn convention. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2008, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-ohio-rhode-island-and-vermont-march-4th-2008/438410/275 "2008-03-05T04:19:29Z")
[QUOTE=cricetus] Of course, it’s important to remember that this talk about winning states is mostly nonsense in the Democratic primaries and caucuses this year. Clinton was expected to win the popular vote in Ohio and may win it Texas, but it’s dubious that she’ll actually gain very much in the way of actual delegates. The spin that these are huge victories in delegate-rich states obscures that very basic fact. I honestly don’t know why the media even talks about candidates winning states. [/QUOTE] Because it takes more than 15 seconds to explain how things work and that is just too long man toooo loooong. ---
**Author:** ![ArizonaTeach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2008, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-ohio-rhode-island-and-vermont-march-4th-2008/438410/276 "2008-03-05T04:21:09Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] It’s the narrative. If Obama had blown her out in Ohio and Texas, she’s done. There’s literally nothing she can really say to justify staying in it. Now…she can spin this so fast it’ll have its own field effect. Those 50 superdelegates who were leaning to Obama? They have justification for holding out now. This is going to go to the goddamn convention. [/QUOTE] Yeah, I wonder if maybe he shouldn’t have leaked that information…he might not get the support ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2008, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-ohio-rhode-island-and-vermont-march-4th-2008/438410/277 "2008-03-05T04:24:30Z")
BIG question-- is there any chance the remaining primaries could tip the nomination one way or the other? If not, we’ll have to remain in suspense almost 6 more months until the convention. Meanwhile, McCain has it in the bag. That’s just weird. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2008, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-ohio-rhode-island-and-vermont-march-4th-2008/438410/278 "2008-03-05T04:29:09Z")
[QUOTE=Johanna] BIG question-- is there any chance the remaining primaries could tip the nomination one way or the other? If not, we’ll have to remain in suspense almost 6 more months until the convention. Meanwhile, McCain has it in the bag. That’s just weird. [/QUOTE] I don’t think there are enough non-super delegates still uncommitted to get either one over the line. It’s going to fall to the supers, and there’s really not a huge enough gap between the candidates to make the superdelegates’ decisions clear-cut. ---
**Author:** ![atomicbadgerrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@atomicbadgerrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atomicbadgerrace)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2008, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-ohio-rhode-island-and-vermont-march-4th-2008/438410/279 "2008-03-05T04:30:54Z")
Big thanks to the HRC supporters in Ohio coming out in force tonight. Hillary most definitely needed the win in Ohio, and I’m certainly quite appreciative. ---
**Author:** ![Merkwurdigliebe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/74df32/32.png) [@Merkwurdigliebe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merkwurdigliebe)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2008, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-ohio-rhode-island-and-vermont-march-4th-2008/438410/280 "2008-03-05T04:34:59Z")
[QUOTE=atomicbadgerrace] Big thanks to the HRC supporters in Ohio coming out in force tonight. Hillary most definitely needed the win in Ohio, and I’m certainly quite appreciative. [/QUOTE] How many delegates did she win? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-ohio-rhode-island-and-vermont-march-4th-2008/438410.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-ohio-rhode-island-and-vermont-march-4th-2008/438410.md?page=15)