I never realized how awful Hispanic turnout was...

[Sam Spade]

We need some tammany hall or pendergast style machines to mobilize this vote for the Democrats.  Think of all the lost votes!

Hard to do that when they are spread around in farming areas isnt it? It can and is done in places like LA and hopefully in Denver and Vegas but it is just not possible in the central valley of california or in southern texas.

There are no machines in South Texas?  Do you seriously know what you're talking about?

[Sam Spade]

We need some tammany hall or pendergast style machines to mobilize this vote for the Democrats.  Think of all the lost votes!

Hard to do that when they are spread around in farming areas isnt it? It can and is done in places like LA and hopefully in Denver and Vegas but it is just not possible in the central valley of california or in southern texas.

There are no machines in South Texas?  Do you seriously know what you're talking about?

Ok you got me I have no clue. But I would guess turning out the latino vote would be easier in a big city like LA than in rural areas. Of course south texas has its own share of cities so it makes sense there would be machines there.

Back in the day, whoever controlled the South Texas Democratic machine controlled who was elected statewide in Texas (ask LBJ).

There are two pretty big false assumptions here.  First, that you can only have machines in urban areas.  Truth be told, machines are probably still more common in rural areas, and definitely were so in the past - you just didn't hear about them.  Ask Al.  Second, the South Texas Democrats can get the Hispanics to show up (relatively speaking - remember many aren't citizens) if they need to - just ask Barack Obama.  At least they're not doing too much polling of cemetaries any more down there.

[Sam Spade]

I'm just saying if our guys were doing their jobs down there a place like Harris County shouldn't go GOP at any level.

Well, first off, you can try and register them. 

But even then, it's nearly impossible to get the bulk of lower-income Hispanics who are actually citizens and not criminals to actually show up and vote.  Even if you run Hispanic-surnamed candidates.  It takes a very special situation. 

Hillary did the best turnout job in the 2008 primaries that I've seen in years in Hispanic Harris County.  And if the Democrats keep running certain types of candidates (the candidates they've been running, both state and federal), it won't change.

Trust me - I've been in the trenches.

[Sam Spade]

I'm just saying if our guys were doing their jobs down there a place like Harris County shouldn't go GOP at any level.

Err... yes and no. I think it requires a more moderate democrat party to accomplish it fully.

I can also tell you that I'm getting more good "inside info" that many of them are not interested in voting for Obama.  Not surprising, really, when you consider where they are located.