Politics
Obama claims wins in caucuses, delegates
By JAY ROOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 March 2008
AUSTIN – Boosted by a strong showing in the Texas caucuses, the Barack Obama campaign claimed a lead Wednesday in the state delegate count despite losing the primary vote to Hillary Clinton.
Obama ahead in Texas caucuses
By Marty Schladen, Galveston County Daily News, 6 March 2008
GALVESTON – Don’t expect the results of election-night caucuses in Galveston County to be totaled soon. But according to preliminary results posted with the state Democratic Party, Sen. Barack Obama bested Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in Galveston County and across the state.
Obama regains lost ground in Texas caucuses
Houston Chronicle, 5 March 2008
WASHINGTON — Barack Obama regained lost ground in the fierce competition for Democratic convention delegates today based on results from the Texas caucuses, partially negating the impact of Hillary Rodham Clinton's string of comeback primary victories.
Democrats hope slew of new voters can stop GOP domination in Texas
By WAYNE SLATER / The Dallas Morning News, 5 March 2008
AUSTIN – After years in the political wilderness, Democrats looked Wednesday at this week's record primary turnout as perhaps the moment the Republican rise in Texas finally peaked.
Police get involved in dispute at Dallas precinct caucus
By EMILY RAMSHAW and SCOTT GOLDSTEIN, The Dallas Morning News, 5 March 2008
DALLAS – For one Dallas County precinct, Tuesday night's caucus ended up in an unlikely place: a local police station.
Unexpected turnout seen as big factor in Texas Democratic caucus complaints
By KAREN BROOKS and EMILY RAMSHAW / The Dallas Morning News, 5 March 2008
AUSTIN – Nobody really knew much about the so-called Texas two-step presidential primary system – or cared much – until it twirled into the spotlight during Tuesday's election.
'Texas Two-Step' turns into a tangle for voters
By KIMBERLY DURNAN / The Dallas Morning News, 5 March 2008
DALLAS – Some voters who participated in Democratic Party caucuses were seething Wednesday about what they perceived as a disorganized and possibly undemocratic process.
Did caucuses ultimately work as designed?
By DALE LEZON and MIKE TOLSON, Houston Chronicle, 5 March 2008
HOUSTON – Moments after Precinct 123 had finished its convention, with participants huddled in the chilly darkness outside a polling place too small to accommodate them, Greg Turetzky was all but consumed by the thrill of joining in politics at the most basic level.
First-time voters get in on the action in Mesquite
By MATTHEW HAAG / The Dallas Morning News, 5 March 2008
DALLAS – Kelsey Ransom denounces the Democrat presidential candidates' calls for a troop withdrawal. If he has his way, soldiers will stay in Iraq until the country's democracy is stable.
Dallas County Democrats savor 'new universe of voters'
By GROMER JEFFERS Jr. / The Dallas Morning News, 5 March 2008
DALLAS – As Dallas County Democrats recover from the frenzy of a presidential primary, they do so armed with thousands of new voters and enhanced prospects of dominating their Republican counterparts in November and for years to come.
El Paso's turnout was highest in 40 years
By Ramon Bracamontes, El Paso Times, 6 March 2008
EL PASO – Despite several complaints of long lines, chaos and accusations of unfair lobbying by supporters of both Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, the Democrats' caucus convention process after Tuesday's primary in El Paso went as smoothly as expected, officials said Wednesday.
More voters could mean more delegates for EP
By Gustavo Reveles Acosta / El Paso Times, 6 March 2008
EL PASO – One out of three registered voters in El Paso County showed up at the polls for Tuesday's election and for early voting – a record-setting turnout that could give El Paso more clout in future presidential primaries.
Latinos turned excitement into strong showing at polls
By DIANNE SOLÍS and DAVID McLEMORE / The Dallas Morning News, 6 March 2008
DALLAS – In the final analysis, it was a connection with the candidates – and the excitement that Latinos felt at the prospect that their vote really mattered for the first time – that drove them to the polls in record numbers, analysts said Wednesday.
Border voters were crucial to Clinton's victory, say Laredo leaders
By María González-Escareño, Rio Grande Guardian, 5 March 2008
LAREDO – The Texas-Mexico border region's overwhelming support for presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton was the determinant factor in her victory in the Texas primary, according to two of South Texas' top Clinton surrogates.
Rural Texans carried day for Clinton
By R.G. RATCLIFFE and PEGGY FIKAC, Houston Chronicle, 5 March 2008
AUSTIN — Rural Texans delivered the swing vote that made Hillary Rodham Clinton the popular vote winner of this week's Democratic presidential primary, even if the caucuses made Barack Obama the apparent champion among pledged delegates.
Women, Latinos, older voters backed Clinton
By Chuck Lindell , W. Gardner Selby, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 6 March 2008
AUSTIN – By paying careful attention to her strengths, Sen. Hillary Clinton parlayed support from women, Latinos and older voters into a close but significant victory in the Texas primary.
Ron Paul remains a presidential candidate
By Ken Herman, Austin American-Statesman, 6 March 2008
WASHINGTON — Even as President Bush hailed Sen. John McCain on Wednesday as "the nominee of the Republican Party," U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Lake Jackson, continued his presidential campaign — although he seems to be conceding he cannot win.
Noriega avoids runoff in Senate bid; Cornyn wins easily
By ROBERT T. GARRETT / The Dallas Morning News, 5 March 2008
AUSTIN – State Rep. Rick Noriega won the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday.
Noriega narrowly sidesteps Gene Kelly runoff jinx
By JANET ELLIOTT, Houston Chronicle, 5 March 2008
AUSTIN — Rick Noriega, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, was surprised but relieved Wednesday to have narrowly escaped a runoff dance with perennial candidate Gene Kelly.
Noriega ready to challenge Cornyn this fall
Austin American-Statesman, 6 March 2008
HOUSTON — After narrowly avoiding a runoff in a crowded field of Democrats, State Rep. Rick Noriega said Wednesday he's ready to start trying to persuade Texans they need change in the Senate as well as the White House.
Doherty looks to give McCaul tough fight
By Jason Embry, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 6 March 2008
WASHINGTON — It's been some time since an Austin-area member of Congress faced a vigorous re-election challenge from the opposing party. But Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, might have just such a fight on his hands.
Congressman Hall, former foe ready for a rematch
By JIM GETZ / The Dallas Morning News, 5 March 2008
DALLAS – Get ready for Hall-Melancon II.
Sekula Gibbs, Olson set up runoff battle for House seat
By ALAN BERNSTEIN, Houston Chronicle, 5 March 2008
HOUSTON – Dermatologist Shelley Sekula Gibbs and former U.S. Senate staffer Pete Olson indicated on Wednesday they will campaign based on their contrasting service and backgrounds after emerging from a congressional contest whose 10 conservative candidates agreed on virtually every policy issue.
Texans keep incumbent judges, state board members
Houston Chronicle, 5 March 2008
DALLAS — An evolution skeptic won't be influencing curriculum in Texas schools and a Republican appellate judge who made a front-page ruling will be leaving the bench soon.
Election's effect on Craddick unclear
By GARY SCHARRER, Houston Chronicle, 5 March 2008
AUSTIN — House Speaker Tom Craddick did not lose as many allies in Tuesday's primaries as expected by his critics, who, nevertheless, contend Craddick remains far short of necessary votes to win another term next year.
Craddick allies hang on in primary
By Laylan Copelin, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 5 March 2008
AUSTIN – Is it safe to be a Craddick D in 2009?
Craddick appears to weather primaries
By R.A. DYER, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 March 2008
FORT WORTH – On balance, it was an OK night for Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick.
Harris County voters boot 3 incumbent lawmakers
By ALLAN TURNER, Houston Chronicle, 5 March 2008
HOUSTON – Political payback, shifting demographics and voter distaste for unseemly behavior all played a part this week in the defeat of three incumbent Harris County state representatives — candidates who seemed entrenched, and, facing no November opponents, destined to return to Austin in 2009.
EP's veteran lawmakers fall as voters call for change
By Brandi Grissom, El Paso Times, 6 March 2008
AUSTIN – El Paso voters on Tuesday said goodbye to the city's two longest-serving state legislators after two bitterly fought primary campaigns.
Election time’s not over
BY DAVID J. LEE, Odessa American, 5 March 2008
ODESSA – Wrapping up Tuesday’s primary, and in the midst of preparing for May’s municipal ballots, the Ector County Elections Office is nose deep in getting ready for an April 8 runoff election to boot.
21 days of prez politics like nothing before
By W. GARDNER SELBY, Austin American-Statesman, 6 March 2008
AUSTIN – Mild beefs aside — little access to the candidates, two mostly dry debates, missed episodes of "American Idol" — Texas just finished 21 days of presidential politics like nothing to be seen again.
Texas two-step and stubbed toes
Austin American-Statesman, 5 March 2008
AUSTIN – Two points emerged clearly from Tuesday’s exhilarating primary elections: There is a lively, excited base of Democrats in Texas; and Democratic Party leaders really need to simplify their delegate selection process.
Voting barriers like caucuses must be changed
Beaumont Enterprise, 6 March 2008
BEAUMONT – Despite Tuesday's surge in voting, turnout remains alarmingly low in Texas and most other states. Don't forget that the new state record for this year's primary was achieved even though three-fourths of registered voters stayed home. Many other eligible adults aren't even registered.
Negative campaigns spoil historic election
San Antonio Express-News, 5 March 2008
SAN ANTONIO – The 2008 primary elections will long be remembered in Texas for the salutary effects they've had on the political process.
Government
Bible suit settlement
By Elaine Marsilio, Odessa American, 5 March 2008
ODESSA – ECISD trustees voted 5-1-1 Wednesday to implement a district committee of ECISD educators to develop an original curriculum in accordance with the Texas Education Code.
ECISD board votes to accept settlement, ending lawsuit over Bible course
Midland Reporter-Telegram, 6 March 2008
MIDLAND – The Ector County ISD board of trustees voted 5-1-1 Wednesday to accept a settlement to end a lawsuit over the district's elective Bible course.
Bible class allowed in Odessa school
ODESSA — Each side in a lawsuit over a West Texas school district's Bible curriculum claimed victory Wednesday after a mediator's proposal gained final approval.
News
$60 million overhaul planned for the Alamo
By DAVID McLEMORE / The Dallas Morning News, 5 March 2008
SAN ANTONIO – Everyone remembers the Alamo, even if they've never seen it.
Austin American-Statesman, 6 March 2008
People
Austin mayor charged with assault
By Tony Plohetski, AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 6 March 2008
AUSTIN – Travis County prosecutors have charged Austin Mayor Will Wynn with assaulting a man in 2006 at his downtown loft building, and the mayor has been ordered to perform 20 hours of community service or receive private counseling before May 2.
