Because we’re in Texas, it’s assumed that we ride horses to class, wear ten gallon hats, and, most importantly, know how to two-step. You know what they say about people who assume.
Prior to Tuesday, many of the polls showed Sen. Barack Obama taking Texas by a small margin. I think an area the Obama campaign could have capitalized on was the “Texas-two step.” As Texans, we were able to vote twice in this election – once in the primary and if you participated in the Democratic primary, once in the caucus. What? You say you didn’t know that? Neither did a lot of other college students across the state.
Here’s how it works: All voters have the choice of voting in the early election or yesterday, Election Day. Regardless of when you voted, those who voted for the Democratic Party have the chance to come back after the polls have closed and caucus (which means everyone gets together and publicly announces who they are voting for to agree on a candidate.)
When I got in from the baseball game last night, it was about 10:45 p.m. By that time, all of the primary and caucus votes had yet to be counted. I watched as Obama addressed supporters in San Antonio with a hopeful message that he could carry out a win in Texas. It wasn’t until Wednesday morning that the country saw he couldn’t. Clinton took three of the four states, Texas, Ohio, and Rhode Island, leaving Vermont for Obama. Just as the Bearkats delivered a major upset to Rice last night (GO KATS!), Hillary came out the unexpected victor.
As of right now (6:32 a.m., Wednesday) Obama is ahead in the caucuses but not by much. Because caucuses have played a huge role in his campaign over the course of this race, I thought this would be where he blew Clinton out of the water since she solely focuses on traditional primary votes.
But Clinton is keeping pace. Part of me thinks Republicans could have something to do with this. Since Sen. John McCain has the Rep. nomination sealed up, instead of voting in the Republican primary, I think many Republicans are crossing the party lines to vote in the Democratic primary for Clinton. With so many ‘anyone-but-Hillary’ voters, McCain serves a better chance winning against her than Obama.
If we learned anything from last night, it’s that there’s no predicting what will happen with the Dems. Here’s what each candidate should do.
HILLARY “TO DO” LIST:
Show difference in health plan
Have Bill and other super delegates promote me
Advertise. Advertise. Advertise.
Bake ‘Vote for Hillary’ cookies. No one can resist a snickerdoodle.
OBAMA “TO DO” LIST:
Show difference in health plan
Bank on the Kennedy’s endorsements
Show superdelegates how I’d be a better contender against McCain
Attend a professional sporting event in Wyoming if they have those there.
By Jessica Hamilton
News Editor