# The democrats losing the south from a realpolitik perspective

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democrats-losing-the-south-from-a-realpolitik-perspective/522255>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [December 22, 2009, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democrats-losing-the-south-from-a-realpolitik-perspective/522255 "2009-12-22T23:21:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\
**Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democrats-losing-the-south-from-a-realpolitik-perspective/522255/21 "2009-12-29T12:13:54Z")

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> [@Wesley\_Clark](#):
>
> The argument is that Texas has lower voter registration among blacks, latinos and youth vs more conservative whites and that a serious voter registration effort in TX alone could push it closer to swing state status by adding a few hundred thousand democratic voters.

Republicans are doubtless acutely aware of this, hence the need to demonize ACORN.

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**Author:** ![Smitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Smitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smitty)\
**Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democrats-losing-the-south-from-a-realpolitik-perspective/522255/22 "2009-12-29T14:50:33Z")

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> [@dalej42](#):
>
> Take a look at the last 2 mayoral races in Houston and Dallas. Electing a lesbian mayor in the largest city in the state (Houston). Almost electing a gay candidate as mayor of Dallas?
> 
> The Democratic party is disorganized in Texas. Still, Rick Perry squeaked out a victory in a 3 way race against a no budget Democrat and a novelty candidate in Kinky Friedman.
> 
> If Bill White can run a decent campaign, he might have a chance in a one on one race against Rick Perry.
> 
> [Bill White](http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/12/04/democrat-bill-white-to-run-for-governor-of-texas/)
> 
> Perry lined up his support with teabaggers with his support of succession. He’ll probably win the Republican primary, but this could be an interesting race.
> 
> The Democrats have been trying to kick the Latino sleeping giant awake for a long time. If Perry (or any other Republican) pulls a Pete Wilson, then the Republicans could make Texas a swing state very quickly.

Even though Houston’s mayoral race is officially “non-partisan”, there hasn’t been anyone elected mayor who identified as a Republican in a long time. Houston is like most big cities - Democrats live in city limits, Republicans live in the suburbs. The Houston mayoral election is no indicator of Texas politics as a whole.

As for Perry, he is considered by a great many Republicans in Texas as a self-serving flake. His support amongst Republicans does not run deep.

These two things do not indicate that Texas is becoming a swing state. It is still overwhelmingly Republican and likely will be for some time.

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