Letter to the Editor, San Antonio Express-News, 3/1/08

The following letter to the editor of the San Antonio Express-News was submitted by Bob Carty of Double Oak, TX.  I believe it perfectly describes the opportunity that Texas Republicans have on March 4th:

"The primaries have narrowed the field of candidates for president to John McCain for the Republicans and Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton for the Democrats.  Some of us are undecided whether the next president should be a Republican or Democrat, but many of us are unanimous in our resolve to keep the Clintons out of the Oval Office.

Texas is an open primary state.  This means that anyone who is registered to vote can vote in either the Democratic primary or the Republican primary.  Regardless of your political affiliation, by voting for Barack Obama in the Democratic primary, your vote will help in keeping the Clintons out of the White House.

How important is your vote?  In the 2004 election, there were about 14 million eligible voters in Texas.  Just over 1.5 million voters cast ballots in the last primary, with approximately 839,000 voting in the Democratic primary.  The Texas race is close enough that a small number of (Republican) votes for Obama could deny Clinton a Texas primary victory.

As to the general election, candidates will have ample time to hone their message and debate each other.  May the best candidate win.  Whether Obama or McCain, we will have an honorable individual in the White House."