The new Rasmussen poll shows what I've been feeling for a long time now -- the race in Texas between Barack Obama and John McCain is tightening. McCain can't assume that the Lone Star State will love him with votes like they did Bush, even though McCain seems to love him some George W. Bush.
It's so exciting to be on the ground here in Texas helping in this historic election. Obama's rising support is also a great boon for Senate candidate Lt. Col. Rick Noriega. Plus, the Obama campaign has committed tremendous resources to Texas -- a reported 15 staffers, a good number of Obama Organizing Fellows, and even assistance building the infrastructure to help recapture the Texas House of Representatives. It's not just a 50-state-strategy any more. In these parts, it's a 254-county strategy.
But wait, there's more! Best of all, it's how YOU can help Obama close that gap in Texas. Dig your spurs into the flanks of the Republican party, and send them running once and for all.
The Numbers
Overall in Texas, Obama trails McCain by only 9%, down from 13% last month. Coming on the heels of Texas Lyceum poll showing Obama down only 5%, we can officially throw Texas into the "leans McCain" category. Good news, because we're already organized and prime to make the new voters and flip the old ones we need to make a go of it this November.
Obama improved 9% with independents over the past month, and is statistically tied amongst women voters here in Texas. He's currently drawing only 72% of Democratic voters, a number which can rise if Hillary campaigns vigorously for Obama. And while Obama still has higher unfavorables than McCain, as folks get to know him and Hillary supporters come aboard, those numbers should shift moving towards the general election.
Help Obama in Texas!
Here's two specific ways you can help Obama here in Texas. Donate to a local campaign infrastructure, or help register voters here at Netroots Nation in two weeks.
#1: Donate to the Travis County Democratic Party coordinated campaign. Here in Travis County (home of Austin), the Democratic party is organized and poised to run up the margins like never before. We capitalize on Austin's strong Democratic base and work to turn out as many of our voters as possible. Combined with the sea-change in Dallas and growing Democratic base in Houston, as well as strong Democratic turnout in El Paso, we've got a great shot at taking back this state.
We're on ActBlue for your security and convenience. All money raised goes to building the largest campaign operation in our county's history. Best of all, right now my own State Representative, Elliot Naishtat (who, like me, is a New Yorker transplanted down here in Texas) will match all of your donations. Help Texas twice as much by giving to this active Democratic infrastructure today.
Best of all, we're not just working for Austin -- we're helping surrounding areas to grow our Democratic turnout across Central Texas. Volunteers are already phonebanking, blockwalking, identifying voters, and registering new ones. I coordinate our voter registration drive, and we're activating new volunteers daily, and adding new likely Democratic voters to the rolls. Best of all, we're targeting low-income and minority neighborhoods to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to register to vote this November. Speaking of which...
#2 Join in the Netroots Nation Vote for Change event. Those of you arriving in Austin on Wednesday afternoon, join our weekly voter registration drive. Meet other great volunteers helping to Turn Texas Blue, and help grow our Democratic base here in Texas. Our volunteers are already working really hard, but we want you to join them, and do your part to make history in the Lone Star State! Sign up here and join these great volunteers in making a difference for Barack Obama, the Democratic Party, and Texas!
I tell you, it's an exciting time to be a Democrat in Texas! I hope to see some of you at our voter registration drive, and to know that even more of you are committed to helping Turn Texas Blue!