Obama to Campaign Hard in Texas

It looks like the President's El Paso speech was just the beginning.  From The New Republic:

"President Barack Obama’s campaign is heeding the political siren song of Texas, telling supporters he hopes to make a real effort in a state where the growing Hispanic electorate has long raised — then dashed — Democratic hopes.


Obama’s 2012 campaign manager, Jim Messina, speaking to big-money Lone Star State Democrats at closed-door meetings in Austin and Dallas in March, predicted Obama could make a “serious play” in the cornerstone of GOP presidential politics, according to people in attendance."

Certainly, it remains extremely difficult for a Democratic Presidential candidate to carry Texas, but a strong effort by President Obama would constitute smart strategic planning.  Texas is the 2nd most populous state, and demographics are trending purple.  Imagine.  California, New York, and Illinois are already deep blue and Florida is purple.  Adding an up-for-grabs Texas to the mix would mean that none of the five biggest states are solidly Republican.  Long-term trends are looking very sketchy for the GOP. 

TX TV News Question: "Do You Think This Country's Acceptance of Homosexuality Could Lead To Its Downfall?"

It is truly unbelievable that in the year 2010 a mainstream NBC news program would present this segment:



The station is KETK in Tyler, Texas and the radio station is KTBB.  You can go to KTBB.com and vote in it's poll here.  Scroll down and look for "talkback."  KETK's web site is here and, as of now, there is a link to this ugly story.  There's also a Facebook protest page here. 

I have a friend who jokes that every gay person is from Tyler, Texas.  When you live in Dallas, it sometimes seems that way.  It's incredible how many gay people come from there.  I can understand why they leave. 

Via Joe.My.God

UPDATE:  The station manager of KTBB radio has apologized.  Here it is:

The Talkback question that aired on KTBB Radio and was simulcast on KETK NBC 56 television in Tyler on Wednesday, October 27 was unfortunate in its wording and unfortunate in the perception that it created among a large number of thoughtful individuals. The question, “Will the acceptance of homosexuality lead to the fall of America?” is poorly worded at best and inappropriate altogether at worst. For that, we apologize.
There are many issues surrounding homosexuality that are fair game for discussion in the media and in opinion journalism. The proper role, if any, for openly gay individuals in the military, the legitimacy of same-sex marriages and the public behavior by some individuals at gay and lesbian events held outdoors in public view are among topics about which reasonable people may disagree. These and other topics surrounding homosexuality are topics that talk radio hosts and opinion journalists may legitimately pose to their respective audiences.
With that said, the way our Talkback question was posed might be seen as asking, “Do homosexuals, by their very existence, threaten to bring down America?” We believe that such a question, posed in such a manner, is likely to generate more heat than light.

I understand how those who either heard, or heard about, KTBB’s Talkback question on Wednesday might have been offended. For the offense that was taken, we sincerely apologize.

Paul L. Gleiser, President

KTBB Radio