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[Greedy,Greedy,Greedy]

Originally Posted by Replaced_Texan

For all of the bitching about it, the Pantsuit Republic seems to have mobilized quite a few people on their own. I'm a member of the national, Texas and Houston groups, though I don't really do much except scroll every now and then to see what's going on. And I've seen quite a number of people who had no involvement whatsoever take initiative and organize. It's actually quite remarkable. There's a group right now outside of Ted Cruz's office here in Houston. Apparently the staff would rather lock themselves in than talk to a bunch of middle aged women about healthcare.

Also, I don't think Trump won Texas because of Trump. I think he won because of the R. I don't see that much fawning over him down here. Most of the Rs I know who voted for him (including some family members) did so because of party identity. There are almost two Republican parties down here: more traditional (and reasonable) Republicans and Tea Party / Trump types. When the legislature is in session (as sadly, it is now) the dichotomy is pretty clear. And every single reasonable R legislator has told me that there is a constant primary threat against them on the Tea Party side.

I don't generally give a shit about why Hillary lost some random guy in Wisconsin or Michigan as I do why the Rs took Texas over 20 years ago and haven't let go. I go through small Texas towns and know that the hardships borne by manufacturing jobs leaving or coal mines shutting down are not at all borne here. I know a shit ton of it has to do with the redistricting in 2004 (and the Ds knew that too, which is why they fled the state to avoid a quorum). But now I think it comes down to Cowboys vs. Giants*. Teams were picked and no matter how bad your $72 million quarterback sucks, you're still going to root for the Texans in their slaughter on Saturday.

*I was going to use the Washington team, but that name is repulsive to me. The Cowboys are repulsive to me too, but that has to do with the sides I picked (or was assigned) decades ago.

But a ton of the answer for Texas statewide is turnout, isn't it?

I enjoy Pantsuit Nation. The Mass chapter has become an action organization. One of the most effective things they do is drive comments on articles, so now if some winger spouts off in a local paper, when you read the comments its all ornery lefties calling bullshit instead of the peepee the frog crowd. The peepee crowd seems to be getting kind of flustered with it actually. But they can also turn out a crowd on a moments notice, which means when the Gov is about to do something bad, he's suddenly finding himself being called on it very publicly everywhere he goes.