Clinton Cleans Up in South Texas
March 4th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
The majority of voters standing in line in South McAllen didn’t understand the convoluted Democratic caucus procedure, but they knew they wanted to be a part of it. At the Palmer Pavilion, voters from precincts 7 and 139 milled around for about 30 minutes waiting for direction. While two college students left, the majority of voters were willing to wait until the precinct captains directed them into action.
Nydia Trevino said she would wait no matter what. “I’ll wait all night if I have to. I think it’s exciting,” she said.
Nicolas Quezada, 74, said he had never attended a Democratic caucus before. “I voted for Hillary, and I think she’s going to win tonight,” he said. So far, Quezada is right. The Rio Grande Guardian reports that Clinton won the majority of early votes in Hidalgo and Webb counties. Her hard politicking seems to have served her well along the Texas border.
Volunteers for Senators Obama and Clinton passed out campaign stickers, while a precinct caucus volunteer stood on a chair and shouted directions. The caucus rules said they had to stand in a single file line. It took several minutes for about 200 people to squeeze themselves into something like a line. A long table in front was divided between Clinton and Obama and the voters signed in under their respective candidates.
Elvia Rios said she was supporting Senator Obama. “I don’t fit the stereotype. I am an over 50 Latina,” she said. “But I think we need a change — a volcanic change and that’s why I am voting for Obama.”
In the end both precincts 139 and 7 nominated more delegates for Clinton than for Obama. Precinct 139 which is downtown McAllen, designated one delegate for Obama and two delegates for Clinton. Precinct 7, which is southeastern McAllen designated 5 delegates for Obama and 15 delegates for Clinton.
The delegates will next attend the Democratic county convention.
Manuel Garcia, a precinct captain said he was relieved that the caucus, which took about two hours, went smoother than he thought. “My political science degree came in handy tonight,” he said.
