I want to express my appreciation and a heartfelt thank you to Linda Magid - Convention Co-Chair and SD8 Representative, Deborah Angel-Smith - Convention Co-Chair, Dick Hildenbrand - Election Administrator and Jamie Ramirez - Deputy Election Administrator, who put in so many dedicated hours of hard work to support every Collin County Democratic Primary election worker and who prepare one of the best ever Democratic Conventions in Collin County.
And, thanks to all the Democrats who volunteered to help make Primary Election Day and the County Convention such a success this year.
Michael Handley
Managing Editor, The Democratic Blog of Collin County.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott To Block Health Insurance Reform
Ten US states plan to file a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the health insurance reform legislation as soon as President Barack Obama signs it into law.
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said Texas plans to join a multi-state lawsuit opposing the legislation immediately after President Barack Obama signs it into law. Abbott says the legislation violates the U.S. Constitution and "unconstitutionally infringes upon Texans' individual liberties." [Star-Telegram]
Florida's attorney general, conservative Republican Bill McCollum who is in Florida's gubernatorial race for the upcoming November mid-term elections, charges that a provision which requires most people to buy health insurance or else pay a fine is unconstitutional.
Virginia state Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli says,"Virgina will file suit against the federal government charging that the health-care reform legislation is unconstitutional." [Richmond Times-Dispatch]
Republican attorneys general of South Carolina, Nebraska, Florida, Texas, Utah, Pennsylvania, Washington, North Dakota, South Dakota, Virginia and Alabama have indicated they will also join the multi-state lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the reform legislation.
The governor of Idaho signed a bill last week blocking federal mandates requiring individuals in his state to purchase health insurance. Some 38 states have either filed or announced their intention to file similar legislation, according to the American Legislative Exchange Council, which opposes the health insurance reform.
Here are some of the private health insurance industry reforms mandated in the legislation that Republicans have blocked for the past year and will continue to block though lawsuits:
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said Texas plans to join a multi-state lawsuit opposing the legislation immediately after President Barack Obama signs it into law. Abbott says the legislation violates the U.S. Constitution and "unconstitutionally infringes upon Texans' individual liberties." [Star-Telegram]
Florida's attorney general, conservative Republican Bill McCollum who is in Florida's gubernatorial race for the upcoming November mid-term elections, charges that a provision which requires most people to buy health insurance or else pay a fine is unconstitutional.
Virginia state Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli says,"Virgina will file suit against the federal government charging that the health-care reform legislation is unconstitutional." [Richmond Times-Dispatch]
Republican attorneys general of South Carolina, Nebraska, Florida, Texas, Utah, Pennsylvania, Washington, North Dakota, South Dakota, Virginia and Alabama have indicated they will also join the multi-state lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the reform legislation.
The governor of Idaho signed a bill last week blocking federal mandates requiring individuals in his state to purchase health insurance. Some 38 states have either filed or announced their intention to file similar legislation, according to the American Legislative Exchange Council, which opposes the health insurance reform.
Here are some of the private health insurance industry reforms mandated in the legislation that Republicans have blocked for the past year and will continue to block though lawsuits:
- Health Insurers cannot deny children under age 19 health insurance because of pre-existing conditions. A ban on the discrimination in adults will take effect in 2014.
- Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees will get tax credits covering up to 50% of employee premiums for 2009 and 2010.
- Seniors will get a rebate to fill the so-called "donut hole" in Medicare drug coverage, which severely limits prescription medication coverage expenditures over $2,700. As of next year, 50 percent of the donut hole will be filled.
- The cut-off age for young adults to continue to be covered by their parents' health insurance rises to the age 27.
- Lifetime caps on the amount of insurance an individual can have will be banned. Annual caps will be limited, and banned in 2014.
- Adults with pre-existing conditions may buy into a temporary national high-risk pool until the exchanges come online. While these will not be cheap, they're still better than total exclusion and get some benefit from a wider pool of insured adults. Health insurance exchanges will eliminate the program in 2014.
- Free preventative care - New plans must cover checkups and other preventative care without co-pays. All plans will be affected by 2018.
- No more rescission. Effective immediately, insurance companies can no longer cut someone when he or she gets sick.
- Authorizes early funding of community health centers in all 50 states (Bernie Sanders' amendment). Community health centers provide primary, dental and vision services to people in the community, based on a sliding scale for payment according to ability to pay.
- Insurers must now reveal how much money is spent on overhead - All insurers must post their balance sheets on the Internet and fully disclose administrative costs, executive compensation packages, and benefit payments.
- Any new plan must now implement an appeals process for coverage determinations and claims.
- This tax will impose a ten percent tax on indoor tanning services. This tax, which replaced the proposed tax on cosmetic surgery, would be effective for services on or after July 1, 2010.
- New screening procedures will be implemented to help eliminate health insurance fraud and waste.
- Medicare payment protections will be extended to small rural hospitals and other health care facilities that have a small number of Medicare patients.
- Non-profit Blue Cross organizations will be required to maintain a medical loss ratio -- money spent on procedures over money incoming -- of 85 percent or higher to take advantage of IRS tax benefits.
- Chain restaurants will be required to provide a "nutrient content disclosure statement" alongside their items. Expect to see calories listed both on in-store and drive-through menus of fast-food restaurants sometime soon.
- The bill establishes a temporary program for companies that provide early retiree health benefits for those ages 55-64 in order to help reduce the often-expensive cost of that coverage.
- The Secretary of Health and Human Services will set up a new Web site to make it easy for Americans in any state to seek out affordable health insurance options The site will also include helpful information for small businesses.
- A two-year temporary credit (up to a maximum of $1 billion) is in the bill to encourage investment in new therapies for the prevention and treatment of diseases.
House Passes Health Care Legislation
President Obama appeared before cameras in the East Room of the White House just before midnight, with Vice President Biden at his side, to hail the historic health care vote in the House.
Message From President Barack Obama:
For the first time in our nation's history, Congress has passed comprehensive health care reform. America waited a hundred years and fought for decades to reach this moment. Tonight, we are finally here.
Consider the staggering scope of what you have just accomplished:
Every American will finally be guaranteed high quality, affordable health care coverage.
Every American will be covered under the toughest patient protections in history. Arbitrary premium hikes, insurance cancellations, and discrimination against pre-existing conditions will now be gone forever.
And we'll finally start reducing the cost of care -- creating millions of jobs, preventing families and businesses from plunging into bankruptcy, and removing over a trillion dollars of debt from the backs of our children.
But the victory that matters most tonight goes beyond the laws and far past the numbers.
It is the peace of mind enjoyed by every American, no longer one injury or illness away from catastrophe.
It is the workers and entrepreneurs who are now freed to pursue their slice of the American dream without fear of losing coverage or facing a crippling bill.
And it is the immeasurable joy of families in every part of this great nation, living happier, healthier lives together because they can finally receive the vital care they need.
This is what change looks like.
My gratitude tonight is profound. I am thankful for those in past generations whose heroic efforts brought this great goal within reach for our times. I am thankful for the members of Congress whose months of effort and brave votes made it possible to take this final step. But most of all, I am thankful for you.
This day is not the end of this journey. Much hard work remains, and we have a solemn responsibility to do it right. But we can face that work together with the confidence of those who have moved mountains.
Our journey began three years ago, driven by a shared belief that fundamental change is indeed still possible. We have worked hard together every day since to deliver on that belief.
We have shared moments of tremendous hope, and we've faced setbacks and doubt. We have all been forced to ask if our politics had simply become too polarized and too short-sighted to meet the pressing challenges of our time. This struggle became a test of whether the American people could still rally together when the cause was right -- and actually create the change we believe in.
Tonight, the answer is indisputable: Yes we can.
Thank you,
President Barack Obama
"This isn't radical reform, but it is major reform," Obama said in the late-night speech. "This isn't going to cure everything that ails our health care system, but it moves us decisively in the right direction. This is what changes looks like."
Obama is expected to sign the Senate health care bill Tuesday.Message From President Barack Obama:
For the first time in our nation's history, Congress has passed comprehensive health care reform. America waited a hundred years and fought for decades to reach this moment. Tonight, we are finally here.
Consider the staggering scope of what you have just accomplished:
Every American will finally be guaranteed high quality, affordable health care coverage.
Every American will be covered under the toughest patient protections in history. Arbitrary premium hikes, insurance cancellations, and discrimination against pre-existing conditions will now be gone forever.
And we'll finally start reducing the cost of care -- creating millions of jobs, preventing families and businesses from plunging into bankruptcy, and removing over a trillion dollars of debt from the backs of our children.
But the victory that matters most tonight goes beyond the laws and far past the numbers.
It is the peace of mind enjoyed by every American, no longer one injury or illness away from catastrophe.
It is the workers and entrepreneurs who are now freed to pursue their slice of the American dream without fear of losing coverage or facing a crippling bill.
And it is the immeasurable joy of families in every part of this great nation, living happier, healthier lives together because they can finally receive the vital care they need.
This is what change looks like.
My gratitude tonight is profound. I am thankful for those in past generations whose heroic efforts brought this great goal within reach for our times. I am thankful for the members of Congress whose months of effort and brave votes made it possible to take this final step. But most of all, I am thankful for you.
This day is not the end of this journey. Much hard work remains, and we have a solemn responsibility to do it right. But we can face that work together with the confidence of those who have moved mountains.
Our journey began three years ago, driven by a shared belief that fundamental change is indeed still possible. We have worked hard together every day since to deliver on that belief.
We have shared moments of tremendous hope, and we've faced setbacks and doubt. We have all been forced to ask if our politics had simply become too polarized and too short-sighted to meet the pressing challenges of our time. This struggle became a test of whether the American people could still rally together when the cause was right -- and actually create the change we believe in.
Tonight, the answer is indisputable: Yes we can.
Thank you,
President Barack Obama
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Late Season Snow And Cold Prove No Global Warming
|
North Texas had one of the snowiest winter seasons on record. The National Weather Service in Fort Worth reported today that North Texas got 17.1 inches of snow this cold season, ranking it No. 2 behind the 1977-78 season which got 17.6 inches.
Dallas/Fort Worth Airport recorded 1.2 inches of snow on Saturday, which shattered the old record of 0.4 inches established on March 20, 1970. An additional 0.1 inches of snow earlier today brought the weekend total to 1.3 inches. The last time an inch or more fell on North Texas was March 29, 1937, when 2 inches fell.
Union of Concerned Scientists:
There is a significant difference between weather and climate. Weather is what we experience on any given day or even over a couple weeks. Climate describes a region’s prevailing conditions — including such things as temperature, rainfall, wind, humidity and atmospheric pressure — over long periods of time. Climate is a good indicator of what to expect. For example, in the Midwest, one would expect cold winters. Whereas, in a Mediterranean climate, one would expect a generally milder winter.
Climate change refers to shifts in prevailing conditions observed over decades. One such shift is a long-term rise in global average temperatures. The current cold spells are occurring against this backdrop.
Putting aside the difference between weather and climate, climate change projections show that a warming planet generates more precipitation in areas that typically experience rain or snow. Rising ocean surface temperatures already have increased the temperature and moisture content of the air passing over the United States, setting the stage for heavier snow and rain storms.
An Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report found that global warming has increased the frequency of storms that dump heavy precipitation over most land regions that experience storms. Most deserts, conversely, are getting drier.“Climate scientists aren’t at all surprised that there are more drenching rain or blizzards in certain parts of the country,” said Dr. Brenda Ekwurzel, a climate scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). “That’s consistent with well-documented climate change trends over the past several decades. Unless we take some dramatic steps to curb global warming, we likely will see a lot more regional precipitation over the next few decades.”
Precipitation in the Northeast has increased markedly over the last century, according to the Northeast Climate Impact Assessment, a collaboration between UCS and a team of more than 50 scientists and economists. Over the past few decades, winter precipitation in the Northeast has increased 0.15 inch per decade.
The Northeast is not alone. According to Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States, released last year by 13 federal agencies, Great Lakes states are experiencing more precipitation because the lakes have less ice and more open water in the winter. The maximum seasonal coverage of Great Lakes ice decreased approximately 30 percent from 1973 through 2008. That means more lake water is likely to evaporate into the atmosphere, resulting in heavier snowstorms.
The current decade likely ranks as the hottest since temperature records began in the 1850s, the U.N. World Meteorological Organization announced in December 2009. On December 8th 2009, at the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), reported that 2009 was likely to rank in the top 10 warmest years since 1850. He added that since 1980 every decade has been warmer than the previous one. He also stressed that greenhouse concentrations were highest now than at any time over the last 800,000 years.
While conservative Republican lawmaker continue to strongly deny all evidence of climate change, Military planners in the Pentagon have concluded that “global warming is now officially considered a threat to U.S. national security.” In its upcoming 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review, Pentagon planners will report that climate change could result in food and water scarcity, pandemics, population displacement, and other destabilizing events that could create conflict.
“The American people expect the military to plan for the worst,” says retired Vice Adm. Lee Gunn, a 35-year Navy veteran now serving as president of the American Security Project. “It’s that sort of mindset, I think, that has convinced, in my view, the vast majority of military leaders that climate change is a real threat and that the military plays an important role in confronting it.”
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Democratic Party of Collin County Convention
The Democratic Party of Collin County will convene its County Convention, the kick-off event for the general election season, on Saturday, March 20th, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Plano Centre, located at 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway in Plano, Tx. [map] All local Democrats are welcome to attend. For more information - click here.* Must be elected as a Delegate to the County Convention by your Precinct Convention on March 2nd to vote.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Dems Lead In Poll, But GOP More Enthusiastic
In mid-term elections, enthusiasm matters and Democrats, particularly young Democrats, are not very enthusiastic about the 2010 mid-term election, according to Gallup's latest polling. The poll shows Democrats are ahead in the generic ballot preference, but Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters are much less likely to help get out the vote or vote themselves than their GOP counterparts in the November 2010 general election: ![]()
(click on photo for larger image)
That enthusiasm gap, measured for the first time since the 2008 election in this Gallup poll, is a real problem for Democrats:
If you don't deliver for the base, the base isn't motivated to delver for you. The Democratic base is having a difficult time getting enthusiastic about Democrats, who were elected in 2006 and 2008 on a "change" platform, showing no fight for real transforming change.
Democratic leaders in the White House, U.S. House and particularly the U.S. Senate might want to think about giving their base voters something to get enthusiastic about. Maybe a health care reform signing ceremony in the Rose Garden, perhaps? It’s hard to picture these enthusiasm numbers getting worse for Dems, but imagine if reform failed!
Washington Post's Ezra Klein explains the reconciliation process, that Democrats now plan to use to pass health care reform, in the following March 8, 2010 video of The Colbert Report. "Americans don't want health care reform jammed down their throats - unless it's first battered and deep fat-fried," says Stephen Colbert.
Democrats lead Republicans by a slight 47% to 44% margin when registered voters are asked which party's congressional candidate they would support in their district "if the elections for Congress were being held today." At the same time, Gallup's inaugural weekly tracking update on the 2010 elections shows Republicans with a distinct advantage over Democrats in terms of enthusiasm about voting this year.
(click on photo for larger image)
That enthusiasm gap, measured for the first time since the 2008 election in this Gallup poll, is a real problem for Democrats:
There are significant differences in enthusiasm by party, with an 18-point "very enthusiastic" gap between Republicans and Republican-leaning independents on the one hand, and Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents on the other.Only 20% of voters age 18-29 are very enthusiastic. Obama received a blowout 66% of the vote among the 18-29 year old age group in 2008, compared to McCain's 33% of that vote. The youth also voted 63% for House Democrats in 2008 -- Young voters not only voted for Obama at the top of the ballot, they also voted down ballot or straight ticket for other Democratic candidates. In 2010 it's the young Republicans who are more likely to GOTV.
If you don't deliver for the base, the base isn't motivated to delver for you. The Democratic base is having a difficult time getting enthusiastic about Democrats, who were elected in 2006 and 2008 on a "change" platform, showing no fight for real transforming change.
Democratic leaders in the White House, U.S. House and particularly the U.S. Senate might want to think about giving their base voters something to get enthusiastic about. Maybe a health care reform signing ceremony in the Rose Garden, perhaps? It’s hard to picture these enthusiasm numbers getting worse for Dems, but imagine if reform failed!
Washington Post's Ezra Klein explains the reconciliation process, that Democrats now plan to use to pass health care reform, in the following March 8, 2010 video of The Colbert Report. "Americans don't want health care reform jammed down their throats - unless it's first battered and deep fat-fried," says Stephen Colbert.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
2010 Primary Voter Turnout In Collin Co.
Updated March 3, 2010 at 1:48 A.M.
Former Houston Mayor Bill White defeated six other candidates Tuesday March 2, 2010 to become the Democratic nominee for Texas governor, giving the party its best hope in years at again putting a Democrat in the Texas Governor's Mansion.
The 2010 Collin County Republican primary early voting totals exceeded that party's 2008 record early vote tally of 24,234 ballots cast. The total early and election day Republican primary vote tally in 2008 was 51,887 ballots cast.
Adding in the Election Day vote tally to early voting totals -- the Collin County Republican party topped its 2008 record turnout, albeit with a large number of Democrats crossing over to vote against Rick Perry. An additional 29,471 people turned out to vote in the Collin County Republican primary on election day to boost the final Republican primary total to 57,539 votes cast.
An additional 3,528 people turned out in Collin County for the Democratic Primary on election day bringing the final Democratic Party of Collin County vote tally to 6,227 votes cast. For chair of the Collin Co. Democratic Party incumbent Shawn Stevens received 3,880 (79.01%) votes and his opponent Yasin R. Ali received 1031 (20.99%) votes.
The table at right gives the full results for a few state wide and a couple of local high interest contested races. For full Democratic and Republican Primary election results reported by the Collin County elections office - click here.
Democrats picked up this "defeat Perry now" narrative from many sources over the last few months. Here is an excerpt from a post in the The Prairie Fire Journal blog:
The dubious defeat Perry now strategy has failed. Perry, Texas' longest-serving governor, had 51 percent of the vote compared to Hutchinson's 31 percent. GOP party activist Debra Medina, a favorite among many tea party voters, had about 18 percent. This is after Rasmussen polling had Perry pretty close to that 50% goal line just before election day.
White, who earned high marks for his city's response to the Hurricane Katrina evacuation, wisely spent the prime season listening to voter's real concerns about the future of Texas as the Republican Primary candidates chased each other to the extreme right. He used the time to air television ads introducing himself to a statewide audience and generally kept his campaign on a positive path. White has been running a well managed general election campaign since he announced for governor in early December.
Former Houston Mayor Bill White defeated six other candidates Tuesday March 2, 2010 to become the Democratic nominee for Texas governor, giving the party its best hope in years at again putting a Democrat in the Texas Governor's Mansion.
| 2010 Primary Early Vote Totals
Through Friday Feb. 26 | |||
| County | Party | Cumulative
In-Person Voters | Cumulative
In-Person & Mail Voters |
| Collin | Rep | 27,078 | 28,068 |
| Collin | Dem | 2,658 | 2,699 |
Adding in the Election Day vote tally to early voting totals -- the Collin County Republican party topped its 2008 record turnout, albeit with a large number of Democrats crossing over to vote against Rick Perry. An additional 29,471 people turned out to vote in the Collin County Republican primary on election day to boost the final Republican primary total to 57,539 votes cast.
An additional 3,528 people turned out in Collin County for the Democratic Primary on election day bringing the final Democratic Party of Collin County vote tally to 6,227 votes cast. For chair of the Collin Co. Democratic Party incumbent Shawn Stevens received 3,880 (79.01%) votes and his opponent Yasin R. Ali received 1031 (20.99%) votes.
| Governor - R | ||
| Pcts - 100% | Votes | %Votes |
| Perry | 757,461 | 51.09% |
| Hutchison | 449,632 | 30.33% |
| Medina | 275,604 | 18.59% |
| Governor - D | ||
| Pcts - 100% | Votes | %Votes |
| White | 516,621 | 75.99% |
| Shami | 87,268 | 12.84% |
| Alvarado | 33,708 | 4.96% |
| Aguado | 19,556 | 2.88% |
| Glenn | 9,852 | 1.45% |
| Dear | 6,574 | 0.97% |
| Locke | 6,298 | 0.93% |
| Lt. Gov. - D | ||
| Pcts - 100% | Votes | %Votes |
| Chavez-
Thompson | 314,725 | 53.15% |
| Earle | 205,057 | 34.63% |
| Katz | 72,367 | 12.22% |
| Land Comm. - D | ||
| Pcts - 100% | Votes | %Votes |
| Uribe | 292,486 | 51.72% |
| Burton | 273,034 | 48.28% |
| Ag. Comm. - D | ||
| Pcts - 100% | Votes | %Votes |
| Gilbert | 310,762 | 52.32% |
| Friedman | 283,249 | 47.68% |
| Railroad Comm. - R | ||
| Pcts - 100% | Votes | %Votes |
| Porter | 732,065 | 60.70% |
| Carrillo | 474,067 | 39.30% |
| Supreme Court of Tx Pl. 9 - R | ||
| Pcts - 100% | Votes | %Votes |
| Guzman | 720,861 | 65.27% |
| Vela | 383,642 | 34.73% |
| Supreme Court of Tx Pl. 3 - R | ||
| Pcts - 100% | Votes | %Votes |
| Green | 212,642 | 18.94% |
| Lehrmann | 204,466 | 18.22% |
| Moseley | 203,548 | 18.13% |
| Simmons | 202,426 | 18.03% |
| Brown | 187,639 | 16.72% |
| Strange | 111,718 | 9.95% |
| State Board of Ed. Dist. 9 - R | ||
| Pcts - 100% | Votes | %Votes |
| Ratliff | 58,388 | 50.37% |
| McLeroy | 57,528 | 49.63% |
| U.S. House Dist. 4 - R | ||
| Pcts - 100% | Votes | %Votes |
| Ralph Hall | 38,543 | 57.23% |
| Clark | 20,091 | 29.83% |
| Cooper | 3,616 | 5.37% |
| Hall | 3,134 | 4.65% |
| Gigliotti | 1,021 | 1.52% |
| Kowert | 939 | 1.39% |
| Texas House Dist. 66 - R
House Dist. 66: Runoff | ||
| Pcts - 100% | Votes | %Votes |
| Jackson | 5,616 | 41.05% |
| Taylor | 4,581 | 33.48% |
| Richard | 3,485 | 25.47% |
Election results were delayed Tuesday night in Collin County, where officials reported extremely heavy voting county wide. People waited in line more than an hour to vote in the Republican Primary after the polls closed at 7 p.m., according to reports from election officials.When the 2010 Collin County primary voter turnout data is fully analyzed, we will likely find that one quarter to one third of the Republican primary votes will have been cast by voters with a Democratic Party voting history, as was the case in the first week of early voting in Travis County:
Voter turnout in Collin County’s primary elections Tuesday was twice what officials expected, leading to long lines, a slow count and frustration among voters and candidates. (More DMN)
In the largest Republican counties, the GOP turnout through Sunday February 21 was more than 5,000 votes higher than in the 2008 presidential primary when the GOP set its record 1.3 million voter turnout. Turnout was up in Harris, Tarrant, Travis, Collin, Denton and Williamson counties, but down in Dallas, Bexar, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties from the 2008 vote.Why did so many Democrats vote in the Republican Primary this year? The most common comment heard from Republican voting Democrats was that most believe Bill White had a lock on winning the Democratic Primary against Farouk Shami, so they decided to hedge their bet with a vote against Rick Perry. Most Democrats seem to have the idea that they could keep Perry off of the November 2010 General Election Ballot by helping KBH defeat Perry in the primary.
Almost 28 percent of the voters in the Republican primary in Travis County during the first week of early voting also voted in the 2008 primary election between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination, according to figures from Democratic pollster Jeff Smith of Opinion Analysts Inc. [Statesman.com]
Democrats picked up this "defeat Perry now" narrative from many sources over the last few months. Here is an excerpt from a post in the The Prairie Fire Journal blog:
Texas Democrats have an opportunity to give Rick Perry an eight-month head start on his packing. If enough Democrats will crossover and vote in the Republican Primary on March 2, there's an excellent chance that Rick Perry will be knocked out of the 2010 governor's race before it even begins.This blog originally started hearing this defeat Perry now narrative plant some time ago separately from Hutchison supporters and Shami supporters. The idea for Hutchison was that she could boost her numbers with Democratic votes without being seen to publicly court the Democratic vote. Overtly courting Democrats for their vote would have created problems for KBH as she tried to actively court conservative and tea bag voters. Shami also benefited from the cross over vote because Democrats who are more likely to cross over to vote in the Republican primary are the Democrats who are more likely to vote for Bill White. Suppressing the Bill White vote in the Democratic Primary improved Shami's chances to win against White -- although it seems not by very much.
Democrats can do this. Knockout Perry at the get-go and that will dishearten his far-right base. If Hutchison wins the Republican Primary, the right won't be as enthusiastic about getting out the vote in November. By using this strategy, whether the Republicans win or the Democrats win the governorship, we will know for certain that Rick Perry will be gone.
[DBCC Editors note: Now that Perry has won the primary with 52% of the vote on the first round, after so many Democrats cross over to vote against him, will the right be more energized than ever and will Democrats be the ones feeling demoralized. No! -- I think Texas Democrats will be ready for a fight come November 2010.]
The dubious defeat Perry now strategy has failed. Perry, Texas' longest-serving governor, had 51 percent of the vote compared to Hutchinson's 31 percent. GOP party activist Debra Medina, a favorite among many tea party voters, had about 18 percent. This is after Rasmussen polling had Perry pretty close to that 50% goal line just before election day.
A Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely Republican Primary voters found Perry leading Senate Kay Bailey Hutchison 48% to 27%, with Tea Party activist Debra Medina earning 16% of the vote. Nine percent (9%) of Texas GOP voters remain undecided.Everyone should remember that Perry and KBH have been campaigning for the governor's office for more than a year now. Bill White has only been running for the governor's office since early December 2009. White is well funded and he has put together one of the best statewide Democratic campaign organizations since Ann Richards ran for governor. White has an excellent chance to easily overtake Perry between now and November 2010.
The Rasmussen survey of likely voters also showed Rick Perry leading Bill White 47% to 41% in a head to head match up, while KBH led Bill White 47% to 38% in a gubernatorial match up. Three weeks ago, KBH had a 49% to 36% lead against White.
White, who earned high marks for his city's response to the Hurricane Katrina evacuation, wisely spent the prime season listening to voter's real concerns about the future of Texas as the Republican Primary candidates chased each other to the extreme right. He used the time to air television ads introducing himself to a statewide audience and generally kept his campaign on a positive path. White has been running a well managed general election campaign since he announced for governor in early December.
| Collin Co. Cumulative Early Vote Totals | ||||||
| Early
Vote Day | Date | Daily
Hours of Voting | Daily
Rep Early Vote Total | Cumulative
Rep Early Vote Total | Daily
Dem Early Vote Total | Cumulative
Dem Early Vote Total |
| Mon |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tue | 2/16/2010 | 9 | 1,727 | 1,727 | 149 | 149 |
| Wed | 2/17/2010 | 9 | 1,581 | 3,308 | 187 | 336 |
| Thu | 2/18/2010 | 9 | 1,595 | 4,903 | 172 | 508 |
| Fri | 2/19/2010 | 9 | 1,927 | 6,830 | 187 | 695 |
| Sat | 2/20/2010 | 12 | 2,320 | 9,150 | 231 | 926 |
| Sun | 2/21/2010 | 5 | 781 | 9,931 | 99 | 1,025 |
| Mon | 2/22/2010 | 12 | 1,976 | 11,907 | 199 | 1,224 |
| Tue | 2/23/2010 | 12 | 2,269 | 14,176 | 214 | 1,438 |
| Wed | 2/24/2010 | 12 | 2,713 | 16,889 | 257 | 1,695 |
| Thu | 2/25/2010 | 12 | 3,547 | 20,436 | 374 | 2,069 |
| Fri | 2/26/2010 | 12 | 6,642 | 27,078 | 589 | 2,658 |
| Total |
|
| 27,078 |
| 2,658 |
|
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Are You An Election Worker For The March 2nd Primary?
If you are an Election Judge, Alternate Judge, or Clerk for either the Democratic Party Primary or Republican Party Primary it is mandatory by law that you attend an "Election Law" training class. It is also highly recommended that you attend a "Machine Training" class.
Machine Training will give you hands-on experience on the Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) touch screen voting booth equipment and the ePollBook laptop computers being used for this election.
[Note: In addition to the DRE touch screen voting booth equipment used at every polling location, 50 polling locations will use ePollBook laptop computers, in place of the old-style printed paper Poll Book binders, to qualify and sign in voters. The remaining 15 polling locations will use the old-style printed paper Poll Book binders on March 2nd.]
Election Judges should contact each member of your polling place team and make sure they attend one of the schedule election training classes. Election Law and Machine Training dates and times are given below the fold click:
Machine Training will give you hands-on experience on the Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) touch screen voting booth equipment and the ePollBook laptop computers being used for this election.[Note: In addition to the DRE touch screen voting booth equipment used at every polling location, 50 polling locations will use ePollBook laptop computers, in place of the old-style printed paper Poll Book binders, to qualify and sign in voters. The remaining 15 polling locations will use the old-style printed paper Poll Book binders on March 2nd.]
Election Judges should contact each member of your polling place team and make sure they attend one of the schedule election training classes. Election Law and Machine Training dates and times are given below the fold click:
| Election Law Training | Machine Training |
| Election Law Training offered by the Collin County Elections Office This is the preferred training, as some issues specific to Collin County are covered in this live class. Dates and times for these classes: Thursday, February 18th at 1:00pm Thursday, February 18th at 6:30pm Saturday, February 20th at 10:00am. Location for these classes: University Drive Courts Facility Central Jury Room 1800 North Graves Street McKinney, TX 75069 You must notify your Political Party's County Elections Administrator to confirm your training class attendance. | Machine Training Training offered by the Collin County Elections Office Dates and times for these classes: Saturday, February 13th at 2:00pm; Wednesday, February 17th at 2:00pm; Friday, February 19th at 9:00am; Saturday, February 20th at 2:00pm; Wednesday, February 24th at 2:00pm; Thursday, February 25th at 2:00pm; Friday, February 26th at 9:00am. Location for these classes: University Drive Courts Facility Central Jury Room 1800 North Graves Street McKinney, TX 75069 |
| Online Election Law training available on the Texas Secretary of State website. This online Poll Worker Training provided by the Secretary of State can be accessed at www.texaspollworkertraining.com. To participate in the online training, just register yourself, create a password and begin the class. This training satisfies the legal Election Law training requirement for election workers. Once you have successfully completed the course and receive your online certificate of completion you must save or print your online certificate of completion and send a copy to your Political Party's County Elections Administrator either by mail or e-mail. The entire course takes about two hours to complete. | |
| The Democratic Party of Collin County will also provide Election Law training during the last week of February, and we will announce the dates, times, and locations in the coming days. This training will also cover practical tips on setting up your polling location for optimal flow, and we will also try to make the practical tips available on the party's website at www.collindems.us. |
Democratic Primary Election - March 2010
In the March 2010 primaries Texas voters will choose which candidates will represent their respective political party in the November general elections. Texas is somewhat unique in that the Democratic and Republican political party organizations in each county are in charge of running their own primary elections with funding from the Texas Secretary of State.State of Texas residents vote in what is known as an open primary. This means that as long as a qualified Texas resident registers to vote at least 30 days prior to the date of the primary election day, that person will be allowed to vote in either the Republican or Democratic primary election. The voter is then affiliated with the party they select for the primary and restricted from participating in events of other political parties for the remainder of the primary year.
- The March 2, 2010 Primary Election Voter Registration Deadline is Monday, February 1st. New voter registration applications must be postmarked by midnight of that date. Click here for the Texas Secretary of State's voter registration form web page.
- The March 2, 2010 Primary Election early voting days and times at the usual early voting polling places around Collin County will be as follows:
- 8AM to 5PM Tuesday Feb. 16, 2010 through Friday Feb. 19, 2010
- 7AM to 7PM Saturday Feb. 20, 2010
- 1PM to 6PM Sunday Feb. 21, 2010
- 7AM to 7PM Monday Feb. 22, 2010 through Friday Feb. 26, 2010
- Click here for full details on dates, times and sample ballots
- Click here to see the Democratic Candidates that will appear on the Democratic Primary Ballot In Collin County.
The affiliation means that the person may not vote in another party’s primary or primary runoff, or participate in another party’s precinct, county or state convention or sign a for another party's candidate if the candidate’s position appears on the primary ballot.Democratic Precinct Convention
A person who votes in the 2010 Republican Primary is disqualified from participating in the Democratic party’s precinct, county and state conventions, and vice versa. The Republican affiliated voter is also restricted from participating in other local and state Democratic Party activities, including being nominated by the Democratic Party to serve as an Election Judge, Alternate Judge or Clerk.Note: In the November General Election voters may vote for whomever they wish, regardless of how or whether they voted in the primary or runoff primary election. All candidates of all parties appear on the same November General Election ballot.
On the evening of the March 2nd Primary Election Day, after the last voter has voted and the polls close, Democratic primary voters throughout Texas will meet at their respective Election Day Neighborhood Precinct Polling Locations to hold a Precinct Convention to do the following:
- Elect delegates and alternates to the Democratic Collin County Convention and from thence to the Democratic State Convention
2010 Collin County Democratic Convention
Saturday, March 20th, 10:30 a.m
Plano Centre (Spring Creek Parkway & Jupiter Rd.) - Adopt resolutions that will be submitted to the Democratic Collin County Convention.
- Conducting Your Democratic Pct Convention
- Steps To Conduct Your Precinct Convention
- Pct Convention Check List Summary
- Resolutions in the Democratic Pct Convention
If you did not receive a new Blue and White voter registration card during December 2009 or January 2010, it may indicate that you are no longer properly registered to vote. You should call the Registrar's office to ask why you did not receive your new Blue and White 2010-2011 voter registration card. (Check your registration status online here.)VOTER REGISTRARFor more information on the new Blue and White 2010-2011 voter registration cards, click here.
800-687-8546 / 972-547-1990
2010 REDBUD BLVD., SUITE 102
MCKINNEY, TX 75069
www.collincountytx.gov/elections/
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