Texas representatives declare Obama victorious in primary

On a conference call led by Obama spokesman Josh Earnest Texas Representatives Lloyd Doggett, Chet Edwards, Al Green, Eddie Bernice Johnson, and Charles Gonzales claimed a victory for Obama in Texas.

Almost a month after the March 4 Texas primary, Obama has gained five more delegates from Texas than Hilary Clinton. His Texas victory earned him 99 delegates to the national convention, while Clinton has won 94. 2.5 million people voted in the Texas primary, and 1.1 participated in the state caucuses. Before the primary, Clinton had a lead in the state in both experience in Texas and popularity. According to Rep. Edwards, more than 97 percent of the delegates are now accounted for from the county and state conventions, and Obama has won more than 56 percent of the state delegates. The final allocation of delegates for Texas will be announced at the national conference next month, but Rep. Doggett believes there is no question on Obama’s victory.

The members of Congress also discussed the enthusiastic response by voters in the Texas primary and caucus, which recorded historic rates in participation. They believed Obama inspired people to participate in the process and go to the conventions, and helped them understand their role as voters. Obama brought out not only young voters, but also reengaged those who had not participated in the past few elections and even won over some Republican voters with his message of change.

The conference call also included dialogue on what this victory will mean for the allocation of delegates and super-delegates at the National Democratic Conference on June 6. This gain in delegates will maintain Obama’s current lead, and the Representatives, who are all also super-delegates themselves, believe that after the unprecedented turnout in the primaries the super-delegates will not try to “undo” who the popular vote declares as a winner. And finally, when asked if they believed Clinton should drop out of the race so Obama can focus on McCain, they agreed the decision is for Clinton to make, and the real issue is the manner in which both candidates conduct the campaign. They should each work on building themselves up, not tearing each other down.