The democrats losing the south from a realpolitik perspective

[BobLibDem]

@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.

[Smitty]

@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

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.