I've had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see election politics up close without ever having to leave my home state. While I know that Obama and his supporters are going to go to the polls tomorrow optimistic, they need to be realistic too. Obama's victory is anything but sealed. Remember Hillary's "upset" in NH? Well, it could easily happen again. Here's some factors to take into consideration.
Dixiecrats: They should be dead and gone. Then again, the libertarian parts of the GOP should also have died with Goldwater, but the Ron Paul fad has proved that the lingering memory of isolationist nationalism still remains in that party. Could the segregationists still exist in the Democratic party, biding their time until now, when they can change an election? Obama is popular among the young voters, but those over 30 are generally supportive of Sen. Clinton. One has to wonder how many Democrats over 60 would support a non-white President.
Republican Crossovers: With the GOP nomination all set and done (no apologies to Ron), and Texas an open primary, could Republicans influence the Democratic nomination? They don't have to "prove" their loyalty to the party or anything, just show up and vote for Clinton. At the Kappa Alpha Psi debate I last wrote about, many of the College Republicans indicated this was their plan; "strategery", they jokingly called it. Are Republicans so afraid of Obama they would vote for another Clinton just to stop him?
Voter Tampering: Yes, she's done it before, she could do it again. I'm not going into details, but who would protest a marginal Clinton victory (5% margin is all she can hope for), except for Obama supporters?
Young Voter Problems: Not tampering. I mean young poeple not finding their proper voting location, losing their voters cards, registering back home if their in college (and having to drive back). Could the young Obama supporters simply blow off voting because "its too hard"?
Caucus: Obama's called it the "Texas Two Step", vote AND caucus for Obama. Even if Obama wins, will young voters simply be left out of the caucus system. Could Clinton delegates take spots "dedicated" to Obama supporters?
I'm not saying who I'm voting for, and who I believe will win. But this election will be a tossup until the polls close. Just thought I'd try to deflate a bubble in case it bursts tomorrow.