Some say that this year — for the first time ever — Texas voters can make a difference in the presidential nomination. Unfortunately for Republicans, while McCain and Romney are virtually tied here in TX, the wider GOP race is less undecidedpretty much done. What we’re really talking about here is the Democratic primary — the neck-and-neck race between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. (Paragraph modified due to Romney’s “suspended” campaign)
And as the primary season has gone along, it has become clear that independent voters matter enormously.
Somehow, the campaigns will have to pay attention to us directly — but how will they work this within the Texas open-primary system? Technically, everyone here is “unaffiliated”; we indicate a preference when we ask for a specific ballot at the polls, at which time we morph — presto — into Republicans or Democrats for the rest of the year.
Can campaigns target independents when we’re invisible here? Will they even try?
They should, because we represent roughly 15-25%* of the total registered voters, and in such a close election, support from even the lower end of that percentage could take a candidate over the top.
For the first time in my life, I’m not only living in a targeted hot-spot, I — and millions of other independent Texas voters — are paying attention.
Talk to us.
Because March 4 is our day, finally, to matter.
* * * * *
*With a thank-you to the knowledgeable and always-helpful Charles Kuffner.