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McCain Has Yet to Exceed 50% in Texas Polls
POLITICAL LORE.COM ^ | 18 FEBRUARY 2008 | AP

Posted on 02/18/2008 7:13:12 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist

Recent polls show that John McCain is in for a struggle in the Republican primary contest in Texas. Despite a recent endorsement from former candidate Mitt Romney and a declaration by much of the American press that McCain is the Republican Nominee, McCain has been forced to stay on the campaign trail and fight for the final delegates needed to win the nomination.

If we have learned anything from this election cycle it is that the polls are not to be trusted. So a 4 point lead in Texas is negligible at this point for McCain. McCain could be further ahead or it could mean a virtual dead heat. A loss or even a close call in Texas would expose McCain as extremely vulnerable in the general election and would not encourage Republicans to consolidate behind a candidate who is not able to carry Bush’s home state even with the President’s stamp of approval.

McCain not being able to crack 50% in his own party after Mitt Romney and the Republican establishment is beginning to line up behind him spells big trouble in November for the GOP.

McCain’s two remaining competitors, Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul, are showing no signs of dropping out and in Ron Paul’s case; he has stated that he will remain in the race at least until the Republican convention.

How did it get to this point? Well the Christian right refused to put Romney over the top or give Ron Paul, who reflects their values, a closer look. Instead they tried to push Huckabee from the back of the pack to the frontrunner with their support alone, and it just wasn’t going to happen.

It is increasingly looking as if many Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul supporters will never fall in line with McCain. Those that don’t write in or go third party will likely sit this election out, making a Republican win in November highly unlikely. This exposes the fatal flaw of the two party system; it ostracizes well meaning citizens from being able to participate in the process with out holding their nose or feeling their vote is being wasted.

Looking ahead, this year’s election cycle could very well have an effect on the Republican Party for years to come. Romney’s early exit tells us that he hopes to have a future in the Republican Party, possibly to run for President again in the near future.

If McCain goes on to lose in the general election and Romney runs again in four years, it could very well mean the permanent fracturing of the Republican Party, with the Christian Right only supporting the mainstream candidate when he is one of their own. Romney was flatly denied the nomination by the Christian Right and by not taking no for an answer and receiving similar percentages in four years, he would be paving the way again for a centrist Republican candidate who is able to do well in the delegate rich states as McCain has done, but would likely lose to a Democratic incumbent.


TOPICS: Politics/Elections; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: huckabee; mccain; texasprimary; tx2008; txprimary
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1 posted on 02/18/2008 7:13:14 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist
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Comment #2 Removed by Moderator

To: CounterCounterCulture

Just standing around outside Home Depot making the vulgar catcalls at our women that Americans won’t make and urinating on the landscaping that Americans won’t urinate on.


3 posted on 02/18/2008 7:26:29 PM PST by ElkGroveDan (I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired of all the politics in politics.)
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

I think there will be a significant amount of crossover vote in the TX primary.

But even given the considerable crossover vote, I wonder why does McVain think he *deserves* an easy outing in the Lone Star State?


4 posted on 02/18/2008 7:26:42 PM PST by Nervous Tick (Retire Ron Paul! Support Chris Peden (www.chrispeden.org))
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

Bush elder headed up the cia. the cia is a liberal agency that follows the money. big money wants the worlds countries united under one big UN umbrella. They can’t do it directly so they’ll do it by grouping states together. In the new world it will be the NAU and some latin american federation. But that will be followed by a new world superstate.

by this time no one will give a rats ass about any of these superstate things and they’ll just be able to merge the new world superstates into oceana europe and asian states. all under the UN.

The criticism of mccain is perfectly appropriate and fair. McCain buys into the whole stupid mess. The way it will be implemented is that the illegals will be legalized.

This is just about the last election where the english speaking America has control over the issue.

The democrats are also sold out to the same thing. They’ll do it faster.

That’s the difference between McCain & the dems. He’ll do it slower and more deliberately. the dems will do it faster and with less deliberation.


5 posted on 02/18/2008 7:29:06 PM PST by ckilmer (Phi)
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

” . . . Ron Paul, who reflects their values . . .”

WHAT??!

I am a member of the Christian right, thank you, and Ron Paul does not reflect either my values or my political leanings.

I consider him an amusing nutcase and resent the erroneous assumption.


6 posted on 02/18/2008 7:30:11 PM PST by Jedidah
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To: Jedidah
I am a member of the Christian right, thank you, and Ron Paul does not reflect either my values or my political leanings.

STATEMENT OF FAITH BY RON PAUL

7 posted on 02/18/2008 7:32:29 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist (The Constitution does not give me the authority to run your life - Ron Paul)
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

He might break 50% of Republicans by next November but I would not be surprised at all if it doesn’t happen even once during the primaries.

McCain will go down in history as a GOP version of: Dukakis /McGovern /Kerry /Mondale.


8 posted on 02/18/2008 7:33:36 PM PST by bpjam (My party has fallen and it can't get up)
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

I’m trying to recall if McCain exceeded 50% of the vote anywhere yet. Do you recall?

I think he’s Captain 35%!


9 posted on 02/18/2008 7:34:39 PM PST by Uncle Miltie (I'm a Maverick Republican: I'll oppose the Party Nominee if I want to, and you have to like it!)
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To: Uncle Miltie

I guess the good news is that anyone who’s endorsed him will either lose a future job in government (dole) or will be flushed by the history books.


10 posted on 02/18/2008 7:36:33 PM PST by samadams2000 (Someone important make......The Call!)
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

I don’t understand all the opposition for someone the media, GOP elite and McCain himself repeatedly tell us he is a Conservative? ;O)


11 posted on 02/18/2008 7:37:17 PM PST by Man50D (Fair Tax, you earn it, you keep it!)
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To: CounterCounterCulture
A big part of the reason Huckabee never got far out of the gate is because he was no conservative. In fact, he was so far left on a lot of issues (illegal aliens, criminal pardons, economic populism), he actually made the fairly Moderate Mitt Romney look conservative by comparison.

Romney still leads Huckabee by 1.4 million votes two weeks after he has dropped out. The Huckster's main function then was to saddle us with John McCain by shooting at the guy in second place. His main function now is to feed his ego.

12 posted on 02/18/2008 7:38:33 PM PST by Vigilanteman (Are there any men left in Washington? Or are there only cowards? Ahmad Shah Massoud)
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist
Looking ahead, this year’s election cycle could very well have an effect on the Republican Party for years to come. Romney’s early exit tells us that he hopes to have a future in the Republican Party, possibly to run for President again in the near future.

Romney, the Mormon, the candidate of the Christian Right?

ROTFLMAO!

In my case I don't much identify with the so called "Christian Right", but Romney was only my third choice, at best.

And I still haven't gotten to VOTE

for any choices at all. I intend to vote for my first choice in the Texas Primary.
13 posted on 02/18/2008 7:39:24 PM PST by El Gato ("The Second Amendment is the RESET button of the United States Constitution." -- Doug McKay)
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To: Uncle Miltie
McCain has cracked 50% in exactly four states, all Republican strongholds: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland. < / do I really need a sarcasm tag >.

He didn't even crack 50% in his home state of Arizona!

14 posted on 02/18/2008 7:41:40 PM PST by Vigilanteman (Are there any men left in Washington? Or are there only cowards? Ahmad Shah Massoud)
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To: Uncle Miltie
McCain has cracked 50% in exactly four states, all Republican strongholds: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland. < / do I really need a sarcasm tag >.

He didn't even crack 50% in his home state of Arizona!

15 posted on 02/18/2008 7:41:42 PM PST by Vigilanteman (Are there any men left in Washington? Or are there only cowards? Ahmad Shah Massoud)
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To: Uncle Miltie
“I’m trying to recall if McCain exceeded 50% of the vote anywhere yet. Do you recall?”

So, what you’re saying is you don’t recall LAST Tuesday? McCain got 50 % in Virginia, 55% in Maryland, and 63% in DC. This isn’t a Congressional committee, it’s OK to remember things.

16 posted on 02/18/2008 7:43:31 PM PST by jpf
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

Thank you.

Dr. Paul and I do indeed agree in matters of basic religious faith. No problem there.

But the article said that he shares my values, and “values” is a much broader term. To say that he reflects the values of the Christian right is a stretch.


17 posted on 02/18/2008 7:43:45 PM PST by Jedidah
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

The article is flawed in several respects, especially the fact that the latest CNN poll from 2/15 - 2/17 shows McCain w/ 55%; Huckabee is at 32%. That’s a sizable lead (and 55% is greater than 50%).


18 posted on 02/18/2008 7:46:02 PM PST by AlternateEgo (Fred Thompson for the Supreme Court)
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To: Vigilanteman

Not EXACTLY 4, it’s five actually, including the very Republican state of Virginia.


19 posted on 02/18/2008 7:48:52 PM PST by jpf
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To: Vigilanteman
He didn't even crack 50% in his home state of Arizona!

So?

With bare majorities in many district races, the Democrats took control of Congress simply by winning close elections.

"Recent polls show . . ."

Nothing, unless you apply some parameters and even then, the meaning is a guess based upon a snapshot.

I pay attention to polls. They're very useful. Can be very important. But I sure wouldn't bet on or against a horse based solely on one.

20 posted on 02/18/2008 7:49:30 PM PST by Racehorse (Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.)
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