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State party says Democratic caucus turnout could exceed vote for McCain
Boyd Richie, Texas Democratic Party chairman, said the “sun came up” on the state party Wednesday with a huge turnout in the party’s presidential primary and caucus elections.
About 2.8 million Texans who voted in the Democratic primary and the caucus turnout that could be higher than the 707,000 who voted for John McCain in the Republican primary, according to a Democratic Party news release.
About 400,000 Texas Democrats participated in the first 35 percent of Democratic precinct conventions that have reported. The final numbers could exceed the party’s 2004 primary turnout of 839,000, Richie said in the news release.
“This historic turnout is another unmistakable sign that voters are ready to replace failed Republican leaders with Democrats who will work for all Texans in Austin and Washington,” he said.
The statement from Richie acknowledges that historically high turnout caused problems with the handling of Tuesday night’s caucuses, including long lines, crowded facilities and “occasional interference from overzealous organizers.”
“However, in almost every case, Democrats who came out to vote and gathered to caucus with their neighbors showed the kind of patience and respect that could serve as a lesson for Republican politicians who put their personal and partisan interests ahead of what’s best for our communities,” Richie said.
The state Democratic Party chair urged voters to stay involved in the process because the contest for the 67 delegates to be sent to the national convention based on caucus results will continue until the state convention June 5-7.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By a troll
March 5, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
“This historic turnout is another unmistakable sign that voters are ready to replace failed Republican leaders with Democrats who will work for all Texans in Austin and Washington,”
That’s quiet funny and very arrogant of the democrats. I guess they didn’t consider that McCain has the nomination in the bag already. They also didn’t consider that many Republican’s crossed over to throw a wrench into the democratic caucus by voting for Hitlery.
By Camden Jones
March 5, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
Are you for real? How in all things considered fair and balanced can you, David Doerr, write this article and not comment on the fact that Republicans had very little reason to vote. There is a reason you are writing for the the Waco Trib and articles like this prove why.
By Kelly
March 5, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this
In Lorena, precinct 75, there was a fabulous turnout of Democrats to vote and caucus. There were several people who had attended county and campaign traning events. Our leaders were fair and organized. Everyone was patient and friendly. We were proud to be Lorena Democrats and many of us forged new friendships.
On another note, I credit Barack Obama for inspiring so many people to participate in the process. I can’t see that people would be this energized and interested if their only choices were John McCain and Hillary Clinton.
As a Obama supporter, and enthusiastic campaign volunteer, I am not discouraged by the March 4 election. We inspired, we brought people together, and we are still in the race!
By Ryan
March 6, 2008 3:57 AM | Link to this
Camden, have a little respect for your fellow man. You can disagree with the article and state your reason why but it’s petty and immature to make personal attacks on the author.
And you’re reading the Trib, not Fox News, so there’s not necessarily a stated purpose of being balanced. Real journalism is more concerned about accuracy and truthfulness than balancing what the left says with what the right says. And thank God for it.
By Fred
March 6, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
The Presidential Election has gone stright to Hell. They’ve all been “bought and paid for” by International Big Money. America has been sold. America has gone stright to Hell.
By caligirl
March 6, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
thank you, texans, for coming out to vote. as an obama supporter, i was thrilled to see how well he closed the gap in the popular vote (despite the alleged republican sabotage votes for clinton) and that he was able to prevail in the caucuses. well done, texas!
OBAMA ‘08!
By Macy
March 6, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Kudos to Hillary Clinton for energizing so many voters to make sure that Texans’ voices were heard. We did not allow national media to dictate the outcome of our election. Her supporters are die-hards and Hillary will motivate voters again in November.
By michael
March 6, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
after wandering for eight years in the republican wasteland that is texas and particularly this part of texas, it is so encouraging to see that democrats not only exist but are willing to come out in droves in order to be heard. the winds of change are indeed blowing. there’s a strong whiff of donkey in the air and it smells like victory to me. to all those ditto heads out there still swallowing rush’s swill i say keep your heads in the sand but you only have yourselves to blame for the butt-kicking you sorely deserve and will decidedly get. it’s about time.
By michael
March 8, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this
what is the legacy of our 43rd president? lame ducks like george typically spend their last months in office scrambling for a place in the history books. bush’s reign of error will surely place him in the top five worst presidents our country has endured. his ineptitude has resulted in his biggest accomplishment. he has succeeded in galvanizing a previously floundering democrat party. he has mobilized voters in the camps of both barak obama and hillary clinton. american citizens are finally waking up to the harsh realities created by bush and his corporate cronies and are ready to do something about it. he has provided a wake up call to republicans as well. i’m not talking about the neocons, the religious right, and the one issue voters who have managed to highjack the GOP. what an embarrassment. i’m talking about the real republicans. maybe a few of those will be ready to report as this new day dawns, roll up their sleeves, and get down to work with the democrats across the aisle. the issues are too important, the needs too urgent, the situations too dire to justify red-team—blue-team politics as usual. but we can’t solve the problems with republican leadership. a democrat must lead the way.
By erik
March 8, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
Caligirl:
The Repbulicans voted for Obama about 54-46 percent in Texas. How is that sabotage against him. Hillary has won the Democrats vote on a consistent basis. It is the other side that has tried to stop her until Texas. And don’t worry, they will again try to stop her because they know she would be a more formidable opponent in November. Hillary is the brightest candidate left. Hillary in ‘08.