Really? That afraid that Latinos aren't going to be so keen on her a couple of weeks down the road that she has to resort to this condescending... weirdness. Huh. Um... Okay.

Well obviously Latinos don't care or know about issues, they just want to know people are their amigos, everything else is for whites, right?

hehe.

It's the campaign making the opposite mistake of before. They are overcompensating for not handling the nuts and bolts well. Before they didn't get people to caucuses and didn't explain the process, so now they have a hotline and insist on early voting, "Today."

Eric, are you suggesting that convicted felons aren't good judges of character?

OK, I have to admit that while the "vote erly" part is fair enough, the music is kinda funny, almost in a parody sort of way. I expect somebody to walk by with a steaming tray saying "hot plate! hot plate!" It does strike me as condescending*. And the "our friend" bit, twice, that's kind of beating people over the head.

* But then, no soy Latino.

I can't imagine the debates are going to overturn this race at this point. Are Ohio and Texas going to be the first two states to respond to her campaign presence with steadily growing support? The Omentum's already started in both of these states.
I half expect an Oprah-urged Dr. Phil endorsement soon.

At this point I just want to Hillary to save face. She can make a strong case for experience, expertise, and health care, and do it honorably to the end.

Obama is also encouraging people to vote early. Somehow I doubt he is desperate, or doesn't have his ground game together.

Wow, Hillary complaint about Obama's words are a trip indeed. Rather than sticking with the issues that are affecting people lives. This is the best she can come up with.

I was struck mostly by the really bad audio of Hillary's "...I approve this message." Like some kid recorded it on an old cassette recorded in a gym bathroom.

As an Anglo (i.e., member of the elite dominant culture in America), I'm not the best person to evaluate this ad.

My guess is that Henry Cisneros is still influential to Mexican-Americans in Texas, and that the ad itself is perfectly fine and will effectively get out the vote, as it is supposed to. It seems to be adhering to the KISS* principle, so that might be why it doesn't mention the caucus as well. Meaning, the first goal is to get people to vote in the primary.

*Keep It Simple, Stupid

Hillary is fighting against the clock

First point: plenty of folks here are still chaffing at the way Cisneros was smeared. He's not seen as inherently corrupt, more as someone who made personal mistakes and then was martyred for them, and I don't think it made a dent in his popularity here in Texas to the degree some of those commenting on this thread assume. I'd say his endorsement carries a lot of weight.

Second: The music may seem like cheesy "theme" music to you New Yorkers but, ya know what, lots of people listen to it here in Texas. By choice. Everyday. On the radio. We also have breakfast tacos, which serve the same cultural niche that bagels do in New York. :-)

Third: 85% of the delgates are chosen by the primary - not to mention the popular vote, even if largely symbolic, is at stake. Talking about caucuses in the ad would be a waste of air time at this point. For one thing, you have to have voted to participate in the caucus. (Maybe closer to March 4 an ad mentioning the caucuses would make sense.)

Fourth: The whole point of this ad is - it's simple, just call this number and we'll help you with the specific info you need to vote. If someone calls who is undecided I'm sure the campaign will fill them in regarding issues. I assume that once they have contact with a potential voter they will not only help them find early voting locations, but also recruit folks to go to the precinct caucuses, and maybe do other organizing for her campaign.

Fifth: Production values. I think the homemade flavor of this ad works - slick, professional ads can be distancing. This really does have a grass-roots, this is coming from the community, not from slick Washington political strategists feel to it.

All in all, I think this ad is exactly what Hillary needs to do in Texas - get out the vote.

Obama hit the ground running by tapping into a growing grass-roots infrastructure that has been building over the last few years, in part due to DFA efforts. He is riding the wave of discontent with the Texas Democratic party insiders - the party has been in apathetic, ineffectual shambles for years.

This is who you are sleeping with...

Check this out: Its on a site called Republicans for Obama in texas

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Home » Groups » Texas R.F.O. Primary Petition for Obama
E-mail to send to all your Republican friends
Sat, 02/16/2008 - 10:41pm — afnighthawk
Attention All Texas Republicans and Independents!!

On March 4th, Texas Republicans and Independents will have an opportunity to end Hillary Clinton’s (and Bill’s) presidential ambitions once and for all!

Since Texas has on open primary, Republicans and Independents should sign in at their polling place and request a Democratic ballot. They should then vote for Barack Obama. Even James Carville admits that if Hillary loses Texas, “she’s done!” Republicans can help make this a reality!!! Just think, no more Clintons in the White House!

Voting Democratic this one time will have NO effect on your ability to vote in the next Republican primary or obviously on your vote in November. Since John McCain has the Republican nomination locked up, voting for McCain or Huckabee at this point will have no effect on the outcome on the Republican side.

After you vote during early voting or on March 4th, you ARE NOT done! Report back to your regular polling place at 7PM on March 4th to sign the Barack Obama list for caucus delegates. In a little known Texas voting quirk, 67 delegates to the Democratic convention will be seated because of these caucuses. This is a full one-third of the total number of Texas delegates. For Hillary to lose, she has to lose the primary votes AND the caucus votes. I urge you to vote against Hillary Clinton by voting for Barack Obama.

Please forward this e-mail to all your Republican and Independent friends so that we can help ensure the Clinton’s defeat on March 4th!!!

You reap what you sow.