Tuesday
Apr012008
Texas representatives declare Obama victorious in primary
Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 4:01PM
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.
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.
Supporters say clean up U.S.’s act with “Climate MATTERS Act”
The bill emphasizes the combination of marketplace and science to address global warming, which would provide economic opportunities like “green jobs”, said Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). According to Mark Heesen, president of the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), venture capitalists invested over $2.2 billion into more than 200 clean technology deals in 2007. 1,700 scientists are calling for an 80 percent reduction in global warming pollution by mid-century, said Lexi Shultz, deputy director of the Climate Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists.
According to Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), the number of miles driven by Americans is increasing 3 times faster than population. The bill would help reduce high gas prices by investing in alternative fuels, said Rep. Doggett. Currently, the transportation sector accounts for one-third of the global warming pollution, according to Colin Peppard, transportation analyst for Friends of the Earth. With only 5 percent of Americans having access to rail transportation, it is important that alternatives be considered, Peppard said.
Rep. Van Hollen said that this bill is important because it will help revamp the relationship between the U.S. and international community, which was hurt when Bush rejected the Kyoto Protocol. The bill contains strong provisions for implementing a cap-and-trade program, especially when it comes to auctioning pollution allowances, Rep. Doggett said. According to a press release from the Sierra Club, Alaska Wilderness League, Environmental Defense Fund, and other environmental groups, auctioning allowances can “give polluters strong financial incentive to innovate, deploy clean technology, and achieve deep pollution reductions.”
Rep. Blumenauer said that the next 6 months will determine the public outset for solving the global warming problem.