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Hillary Clinton looking to turn Texas 'blue'

Hillary Clinton looking to turn Texas 'blue'

Sep 11, 2016
08:31 am

What's the story

Democrats have long dreamed of turning the deep 'red' Texas state 'blue'; they believe the Lone Star state's politics are shifting in their favor. Democrats feel there is a good chance their Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton would defeat Republican candidate Donald Trump in Texas. Texas' Dallas Morning News daily endorsed Hillary becoming the first newspaper to have backed a Democratic candidate in 75 years.

Introduction

About Texas state

Texas is the second biggest state in the United States both regarding population and area. For almost a century, until the 1990s, Democrats dominated the Texas state; the Republican Party's prominence grew in the state since the mid-1960s. Since the 1980s, most voters in Texas have supported Republican Presidential candidates. By the 1990s, Republican Party became the dominant political party in the state.

Data

Electoral College

The United States Electoral College comprising 'electors' is the institution which elects the US President and Vice-President every four years. The citizens do not directly choose the President or Vice-President but elect representatives or electors. Texas currently has 38 electoral votes.

Texas

First Democratic endorsement since World War II

Proving that 2016 isn't a typical election year, the Dallas Morning News recommended a Democrat for President for the first time since the World War II. For over 75 years (since WWII), nearly 20 elections were conducted in the US, and Texas has been a strong Republican supporter. The newspaper endorsed Clinton as it felt she is the only serious presidential candidate this time.

Quote

Hillary Clinton has experience in actual governance

The newspaper stated, "We've been critical of Clinton's handling of certain issues in the past. But unlike Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton has experience in actual governance, a record of service and a willingness to delve into real policy."

Why?

The reason behind the endorsement

During Hillary Clinton's eight years in the US Senate, she displayed influence and reach in foreign affairs. She gained Republicans' respect on Capitol Hill; two-thirds of Clinton's bills were co-sponsored by Republicans. As the Secretary of State, she helped President Obama take dynamic decisions on the Mid-east and terrorism. Clinton's years of hard work and her preparedness make her the most deserving Presidential candidate.

Data

Clinton holds advantage over Trump

A Washington Post SurveyMonkey 50-state poll, showed that Hillary Clinton was ahead of Donald Trump by 1% in Texas; 46% of the voters voted in Clinton's favor while 45% in Trump's. Over 74,000 registered voters participated in the poll.

Texas Victory

What does victory in Texas mean for Democrats?

If Hillary Clinton manages to win in Texas, then Democrats hypothetically could lose in the other three battleground states, Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania, and still, have the White House. However, a victory in conservative Republican Texas, with second-highest Electoral College Votes, isn't easy. Though Hillary projected confidence, she herself said the victory is possible if enough voters (Latino and Afro-American) come out to vote.