Obama holds lead over McCain in Harris County
Harris County voters are on the verge of favoring a Democratic presidential candidate for the first time in 44 years — putting the area out of step with the rest of Texas, according to a Houston Chronicle poll.
They gave Barack Obama the edge over Republican John McCain by 7 percentage points this week, with very few undecided or backing another contender.
Voters also favored Democrat Rick Noriega of Houston against Republican Sen. John Cornyn by the same amount — with 13 percent undecided or committed to another candidate.
The survey results were compiled by Zogby International as early voting got under way for the Nov. 4 election.
I guess many of you are wondering, why is this important? Here is why. Harris County is home of Houston, TX. The 4th largest city in the United States and largest city in the State of Texas. Despite Houston being a Democratic stronghold, Harris County is very large and many of the suburban areas and outlying cities in Harris County vote heavily Republican. As the article states, a Democrat has not won Harris County since Lyndon B. Johnson.
Republicans strategist have recently stated, the way Harris County votes will determine how Texas votes. In 2004, GWB won Harris County with 55% of the vote and the state with 61% of the vote. Turnout was a dismal 54% of total eligible voters.
What we know.Travis County (Austin, TX) and the Valley (Brownsville, McAllen, Laredo, and El Paso) will turnout Heavily for Obama/Noriega. In 2006, Dallas County (Dallas, TX) joined the Blue Revolution by ousting all GOP countywide candidates. Expect Barack Obama to carry Dallas County also by a nice margin unlike 2004 where Bush squeaked out a 50-49% win. If these Zogby numbers hold for Harris, the State's largest County coupled with heavy turnout statewide dare you say anything is possible?
I'm not saying BO will win TX but I think the nation will be shocked on Nov 4th when the media put's TX into the "To Close to Call" column. If Obama is winning Harris County by 7% on election night you better beleive he is going to be performing much better across the state.