Voting In Texas Can Be A Family Affair

Beyond Race, Choosing Between Clinton And Obama Is Creating A Generation Gap Among Voters

(CBS)  The race for the Democratic presidential nomination has turned into a high-stakes game of Texas Hold ‘em - or fold ‘em. And the two largest minorities are holding the cards.

“The reality is, [Hillary] is winning about six of 10 Hispanic votes, where [Obama] is winning eight of 10 or nine of 10 African-American votes,” Texas Monthly’s Evan Smith told CBS News anchor Katie Couric. “That math is not good for her in terms of being able to win either the popular vote or the delegates.”

Barack Obama is making inroads with Hispanic voters in Texas - particularly younger ones - and it seems a generation gap is emerging.

“I'm supporting Barack Obama,” says Lindsay Lambert, a 19-year-old Hispanic-American. “Both my mom and my grandmother support Hillary Clinton. And there’s a little bit of tension in the family right now.”

It’s a familiar scene playing out around kitchen tables and cafes.

The old adage “Like father, like son,” doesn't apply to state Senator Eddie Lucio, 62, and his 29-year-old son, state Rep. Eddie Lucio III.

The elder Lucio is supporting Clinton and the younger, Obama.

“There’s a lot at stake,” Sen. Lucio told Couric. “We both believe wholeheartedly in our candidate."

Lucio Sr. says Clinton’s long record of public service goes a long way with Latinos.

“She knows our struggles,” he says. “She's worked on our issues. She's got an incredible track record.”

Clinton’s history in the Lone Star state dates back to George McGovern’s campaign in 1972. While living in Austin, she worked throughout south Texas registering Hispanic voters. Trouble is, there's a whole new generation of Latinos here now who were not back then.

Of the 3.6 million Hispanics eligible to vote in Texas, 31 percent are between the ages of 18 and 29 - a demographic responding to Obama’s message of change.

“What I want to focus on is the fact that from this point forward we need to not only look at a policy president but a symbolic president,” Eddie Lucio III told Couric. “A symbol for America, at home and abroad. And he can really unite and help heal a lot of wounds that we felt in between our races and our cultures.”

While the generational divide looms large in Texas, both Lucios say the so-called “black-brown divide” between African-Americans and Hispanics is yesterday’s news.

“I think we're at a time where we are capable of supporting a person regardless of their sex, regardless of their religion, and regardless of their race,” the younger Lucio told Couric.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee agrees. Lee represents a district that is 38 percent black and is defying many of her constituents by supporting Hillary Clinton.

“I am African-American. I celebrate Senator and Michelle Obama. I have a daughter and a son. I see images of Hillary and Barack in both of them,” Lee told Couric. “But I'm committed to Sen. Clinton.”

Lee’s passion for Clinton is matched by Eddie Lucio III’s for Obama. But views in these voting blocs are more diverse than less predicable than ever before. After this rough primary is over, Sen. Lucio hopes they’ll all get together with a single-mindedness that will return a Democrat to the White House.

[pensacola88]

Voters in Texas, Ohio, Vermont, and Rhode Island should remember that lobbyists and polical action committees have invested heavily in Hillary Clinton and expect a return on their investment. If she wins, they will get it at the expense of the livelihoods of the voters.

Barak Obama doe not have any political favors to return to any special interest groups. If you want hope for a counry whose president puts voters first, Barack Obama is your man.

Health Care is one of the most profitable industries in this nation. Even if universal health care became a reality, the opportunity is wide open for it to be legislated corruptly when the chief advocate - Hillary Clinton was accepted PAC and Special Interest money from the Health Care powerhouse.

Republicans want Hillary Clinton, Democrats want Barack Obama. There is more dirt on Hillary for the Republicans to use on the campaign in November.

[watcher269-2009]

Voting In Texas Can Be A Family Affair

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No Shiite - They all marry their cousins down there - so they''re all related to each other! Heeheehee!