The Right State

Freshman Senator  Barack Obama visited my home state of Texas on Monday and received the welcome usually reserved for a superstar.  The AP would have us believe this shows how popular the Senator is particularly since the hero’s welcome occurred in such a conservative state.

Sen. Barack Obama got a rock star’s reception on Saturday at a venue that’s usually much less welcoming of Democrats — the Texas Capitol.

Several hundred people filled the Texas House chamber to hear the possible presidential candidate speak at the 11th annual Texas Book Festival, an event begun by first lady Laura Bush when her husband was governor. Obama, the junior senator from Illinois, is promoting his latest book, “The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream.”

Much of the crowd shrieked and jumped to its feet when Obama walked in through a side door. Outside, another couple hundred people waited up to five hours to get his autograph, shedding their coats as a chilly morning turned into a hot afternoon. (emphasis added by TRS)

What the AP is not emphasizing are the demographics of Austin—the Capitol of Texas.  When Texas voted on the Defense of Marriage Act, Travis County (Austin) was the only county to vote against it.  The University of Texas (tu for Aggies) at Austin widely known for its liberalism.  Wikopedia has this to say about Austin:

Despite overall Republican dominance, however, there remain some cities and regions with strong Democratic power. The capital city, Austin, is a Democratic stronghold and a center of progressive political activism.

It is little wonder that Barack Obama received such a warm welcome.  Travis County is one of the most liberal counties and Austin is one of the most liberal cities in all of Texas.  Austin is one of those cities most Texans would like to forget about.

So why did the AP write such a glowing piece about Obama coming to Texas and receiving a warm welcome?  They are trying to make him more palatable to the rest of the state.  The AP knows that if Obama runs for President, he has no chance unless he wins the conservative state of Texas.  This is another example of the MSM trying to influence politics in the great state of Texas.

Sorry guys, but Texas likes its politicians a bit more conservative than what Barack Obama can give us.  He is and will always be a liberal politician.  A warm welcome in an ultra liberal city like Austin only makes the Senator a bit more unsavory.  Receiving a strong recommendation from Austin is like obtaining one from a drunk uncle.  Thanks but …ah…no thanks.

Tags: Democrats, Texas, Politics //