Austin ranks behind DALLAS in liberal rankings

[capitalcity]

Dallas County is Red, Travis County is blue
I call bullshit on this one, and ya'll should too

Austin lags Big D in liberal rankings

By Stephen Scheibal

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Friday, August 12, 2005

Nice going, People's Republic of Dallas.

The home of America's Team and the Texas School Book Depository is, by a long shot, Texas' liberal bastion, according to the Bay Area Center for Voting Research.

The nonprofit think tank based in Berkeley, Calif., (a town that knows liberals when it sees them) ranked 237 U.S. cities on the liberal-to-conservative spectrum, based on results from the 2004 presidential election.

The group named Austin the 93rd most liberal city in the land, just slightly bluer on the electoral map than Virginia Beach and Salt Lake City.

Dallas was 32nd, two slots more liberal than Madison, Wis.

The study found that cities with large black populations tended to turn out for liberal candidates. Austin has a relatively small black population.

The rankings threaten to obliterate a tradition of snide remarks about the capital city from less-liberal burgs such as Plano (fifth most conservative U.S. city, the study says), Abilene (third most conservative) and Lubbock (No. 2, trailing/leading only Provo, Utah).

Thus, the report was immediately dismissed by everyone.

"I would find it hard to believe that Austin is not in the top 25 or 30 liberal cities," Travis County Republican Party Chairman Alan Sager said, not particularly complimentarily.

Concurred Mark Nathan, a Democratic political consultant: "I think someone in Berkeley may be one toke over the line."

Bay Area Center for Voting Research

[capitalcity]

Dallas County is Red, Travis County is blue
I call bullshit on this one, and ya'll should too

Austin lags Big D in liberal rankings

By Stephen Scheibal

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Friday, August 12, 2005

Nice going, People's Republic of Dallas.

The home of America's Team and the Texas School Book Depository is, by a long shot, Texas' liberal bastion, according to the Bay Area Center for Voting Research.

The nonprofit think tank based in Berkeley, Calif., (a town that knows liberals when it sees them) ranked 237 U.S. cities on the liberal-to-conservative spectrum, based on results from the 2004 presidential election.

The group named Austin the 93rd most liberal city in the land, just slightly bluer on the electoral map than Virginia Beach and Salt Lake City.

Dallas was 32nd, two slots more liberal than Madison, Wis.

The study found that cities with large black populations tended to turn out for liberal candidates. Austin has a relatively small black population.

The rankings threaten to obliterate a tradition of snide remarks about the capital city from less-liberal burgs such as Plano (fifth most conservative U.S. city, the study says), Abilene (third most conservative) and Lubbock (No. 2, trailing/leading only Provo, Utah).

Thus, the report was immediately dismissed by everyone.

"I would find it hard to believe that Austin is not in the top 25 or 30 liberal cities," Travis County Republican Party Chairman Alan Sager said, not particularly complimentarily.

Concurred Mark Nathan, a Democratic political consultant: "I think someone in Berkeley may be one toke over the line."

Bay Area Center for Voting Research

[Drbio]

That sure sounds like bunk.

[Drbio]

That sure sounds like bunk.

[southern_sweets]

I live in Austin.

I would consider myself moderate to liberal. Austin is a very liberal city compared with most Texas cities, however I don't know how it compares with cities outside of Texas.

The one thing that may have led to such a ranking for Austin would be taking the suburban areas of Austin into account. Those areas tend to be much more conservative than downtown and South Austin. The city of Austin has also annexed areas in Northwest Travis county and Southwest Williamson county that are also more conservative.

Keep Austin Weird (keep the conservatives in Dallas)! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

[Drbio]

Austin is one of the most liberal cities in the United States. Anyone espousing otherwise is on the crack pipe.

[dude1394]

I think this speaks for itself. Blue is kerry

[Drbio]

Nice blue Austin.


Good find dude.

[capitalcity]

When was the last time they held a "free palestine" rally in Dallas?

[snoop]

just like in sports. You can get stats to show whatever you want

[sike]

yawn...

[Drbio]

Originally posted by: snoop
just like in sports. You can get stats to show whatever you want

Candidate for retard post of the year.

[capitalcity]

Austinites crowd bridge for peace

By Dick Stanley
Austin American-Statesman

Thursday, August 18, 2005

Between 300 and 500 people in Austin joined hundreds of candlelight vigils Wednesday night across the United States and Europe, organized by backers of an antiwar demonstration near President Bush's ranch.

Young and old, many old enough to have demonstrated against the Vietnam war, the Austin crowd took over the north end of the Pfluger pedestrian bridge over Town Lake.

Signs and leaflets said the crowd was behind Cindy Sheehan, the California woman who started an antiwar protest Aug. 6 on the outskirts of Crawford in memory of her son Casey, a 24-year-old soldier who died fighting in Iraq last year. Symbolically, some women pushed empty strollers on the bridge.

Local organizers held up a tape player and speaker so the crowd could hear and cheer a message from Sheehan.

"I am deeply touched," she said, that others would join her in protesting the war.

Eli, 7, a Mathews Elementary student, was one of the youngest. He was passing out leaflets.

Lib Harris, 78, of Austin was one of the oldest.

"I wanted to make the crowd a little bigger," she said.

The name of Tony Harris, who organizers said was an Army private killed July 13, 2004, in Iraq, was written on a paper plate Lib Harris (no relation) held to catch her candle wax. Other protesters also had plates with names from a list local organizers passed out.

The protest was organized by Moveon.org, an Internet-based advocacy group that favors liberal causes.

Alan Sager, chairman of the Travis County Republican Party, who did not attend the vigil, said it was counterproductive.

"They ought to be careful they're not encouraging more Americans or Iraqis to die by encouraging the Islamic fascists, the terrorists, to think we're going to leave soon," he said. "It bothers me (Sheehan) has crowned herself queen of the Gold Star mothers when she doesn't have permission to represent them."

As a full moon rose over Town Lake, the protesters lit their candles, and the flames flickered in a light breeze.

[Mavdog]

maybe the poll wasn't so off after all, there were about as many peace protestors in Carrollton (of all places) as there were in Austin...or is opposition to the war moved beyond a liberal/conservative issue?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vigils amplify mother's voice
Events in Carrollton, elsewhere echo Crawford war protest

07:18 AM CDT on Thursday, August 18, 2005
By COLLEEN McCAIN NELSON / The Dallas Morning News

Supporters of the mother camped near President Bush's ranch hope a simple statement sent a strong message Wednesday night.

NATHAN HUNSINGER/DMN
Nina Windom and others hold signs opposing the Iraq war and supporting Crawford protester Cindy Sheehan during a candlelight vigil at Woodlake Lake in Carrollton. Bearing homemade signs urging the president to "Stop the war," and "Meet with Cindy," local activists joined others nationwide in candlelight vigils for Cindy Sheehan, the California woman who plans to keep her tent pitched in Crawford until Mr. Bush meets with her.

In Carrollton, about 200 people lined the sidewalk near a duck pond on Josey Lane. The vigil, one of about 1,600 planned across the country, was a coordinated effort to protest the war and to bolster the efforts of Ms. Sheehan, whose son, Army Spc. Casey Sheehan, was killed in Iraq.

In North Texas, at least a dozen gatherings were scheduled in locations ranging from public parks to living rooms.

'Simple and dignified'
MoveOn.org, a left-leaning group, promoted the events, telling organizers that the vigils should be "simple and dignified." Activists complied in Carrollton, where mostly middle-aged couples and young families stood quietly, holding candles and waving signs as traffic zoomed by.

Many who participated said they had long opposed the war but had done nothing to speak out until now.

"It's time somebody did something," said Edward Crowe, a salesman from Plano.

Such activism was common during the Vietnam era, Mr. Crowe said, but now people seem more apathetic.

Ms. Sheehan, though, has proved to be a galvanizing force.

"All of us have been waiting for that one point person," said Carol Wise, the Carrollton resident who organized her neighborhood vigil. "Her message is so pure. You can't ignore a grieving mother."

Ms. Wise traveled to Crawford on Saturday to stand with Ms. Sheehan and other demonstrators.

"Cindy's just amazing," she said. "Everybody walked away moved."

Ms. Sheehan's protest began Aug. 6 as a somewhat modest endeavor centered on a mother camped outside the president's ranch. But it quickly became a made-for-cable TV spectacle, sparking a national debate and compelling others to descend on "Camp Casey" to support and protest Ms. Sheehan's efforts.

Some neighbors have complained about the commotion and congestion that often surrounds the camp, and organizers plan to move it to a nearby site offered by a sympathetic landowner.

On Wednesday, the group Move America Forward announced a caravan across the country to counter those protesting the war. The "You Don't Speak for Me, Cindy," tour will end Aug. 27 with a rally in Crawford.

Ms. Sheehan met with Mr. Bush after her son died April 4, 2004, but she has said she seeks additional answers about the war she views as unjust. She has called for the president to pull all forces out of Iraq, saying the administration is waging "an eternal war of imperialism."

On Wednesday night, she offered a tearful tribute to her fallen son during a vigil at the camp.

"There are a lot of men – I call them boys – from everywhere around the country who are my sons," she told about 200 supporters. "But if I had a million of them, it won't take the place of Casey."

"I'll never get to see him again. I'll never get to hear his voice again. I'll never get to hug him, or kiss him."

Support, opposition
In Carrollton, the vigil continued long after the sun had set and many of the candles had burned out. A steady stream of passers-by offered supportive honks. But one driver stopped to yell, "Support the president" repeatedly, and another woman slowed to ask what "Free Cindy" meant.

Bob Williams, a Vietnam veteran from Valley View, said he and the other activists wanted Ms. Sheehan to know that "we're standing behind her. We're with her."

He said that she had inspired people with her spirit and her message.

Ms. Sheehan's protest and Wednesday's vigils will "let the rest of the country know that if they're having doubts [about the war], they're not alone," Mr. Williams said.

[Drbio]

This is all the proof you need mavdoogie. You can try to muddy up the map with liberal sache and misdirection, but this is all you need to see. Wow.....a whole 200 liberals in the metroplex area showed up for a bash Bush rally.

[u2sarajevo]

Originally posted by: Drbio
Wow.....a whole 200 liberals in the metroplex area showed up for a bash Bush rally.

And by a duck pond no less.... I bet those Ducks got an earfull.

[Mavdog]

hmm, 200 at a peace march and how many at a war march?
what, there was no war march?
than that's 200 more than were at the war march.


It is interesting that these marchers were in Carrollton. That's not Deep Ellum, or other places, but Carrollton. Not exactly a bastion of Democrats....a very conservative community.
Like I said, very interesting.

[u2sarajevo]

Most Conservatives realize that marches are a waste of time. Besides, the "war march" is taking place right now in Iraq and Afghanistan by tens of thousands of American soldiers. And they are actually getting something accomplished.

Symbolism over substance. That's the liberal mantra.

[Mavdog]

Originally posted by: u2sarajevo
Most Conservatives realize that marches are a waste of time. Besides, the "war march" is taking place right now in Iraq and Afghanistan by tens of thousands of American soldiers. And they are actually getting something accomplished.

Symbolism over substance. That's the liberal mantra.

seems that there have been some pretty strong substantive marches recently...brought down governments in indonesia, georgia and the phillipines...

[Drbio]

Wow...mavdoogie had to blur the thread (again) and make outlandish claims that foreign countries are engaging in substantive marches. Get back on topic. U2 rightfully pointed out that liberals use marches in a manner that promotes symbolism over substance. Furthermore, name one march in the US that has had over 1% of the local population involved. 200 libidiots (comprising less than1% of 1% of the population) circle jerking to a script from Moveon.org at the edge of a duck pond is hardly a substantive march.

[alby]

amen

[MavKikiNYC]

I keep wishing that someone down in Crawford would march a herd of gassy Holsteins into a pasture adjacent to the "protesters".

[Mavdog]

Originally posted by: Drbio
Wow...mavdoogie had to blur the thread (again) and make outlandish claims that foreign countries are engaging in substantive marches.

impossible to be "outlandish" if they are in fact true.
but then the facts and the truth has never stopped DrCleo from being "outlandish"...

Get back on topic.

irony at its best...

U2 rightfully pointed out that liberals use marches in a manner that promotes symbolism over substance. Furthermore, name one march in the US that has had over 1% of the local population involved.

I guess I would look back to a couple of marches, such as the million man march, or the protests of the Vietnam War, or to the historic civil rights march on the Mall where ML King gave his historic speech, all of which had "over 1% of the population" of Washington DC.

200 libidiots (comprising less than1% of 1% of the population) circle jerking to a script from Moveon.org at the edge of a duck pond is hardly a substantive march.

the 200 marchers in Carrollton, or the 300 in Austin, are expressing themselves. They, and any others who wish to do the same or to express the opposite side, are doing what many Americans have done in the past to promote their agenda. It's the American way. From small steps larger movements have emerged.

I certainly don't see the need to belittle them (where was the degradation of the Bush supporters in Crawfoprd who were "less than 1% of the population" as well?) for doing so as it does take initiative and resolve to get their butts out there in the August heat. I respect them for being vocal, more of our citizens should do the same rather than not even taking the time to vote...

[capitalcity]

So the south austin burnouts are to be held in the same regard as civil rights marchers of the 60's? Pretty weak Mavdog.

[Mavdog]

Originally posted by: capitalcity
So the south austin burnouts are to be held in the same regard as civil rights marchers of the 60's? Pretty weak Mavdog.

that's a completely different question than DrCleo put forth, but I'll respond.

I don't agree that there is a relativism, that a civil rights march is more admirable than an anti-war march, as both are occasions where citizens express themselves. I believe both, as well as any pro-war march would be, are positive for our political arena. All these events further the citizen's participation....and that's a good thing. a very good thing IMO.

too many citizens won't take an interest and lift a finger to be involved in our public policy. that isn't healthy

[Drbio]

He can't help but ignore the topic. Pathetic.

[chumdawg]

Originally posted by: Drbio


This is all the proof you need mavdoogie. You can try to muddy up the map with liberal sache and misdirection, but this is all you need to see. Wow.....a whole 200 liberals in the metroplex area showed up for a bash Bush rally.

Man, that map brings back great memories. Oh, and by the way, God bless Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Utah.

It is indeed interesting to note that Dallas County was very, very close to being red. Kerry came within 10,000 votes. By way of comparion, Bush netted over 100,000 votes in Harris County.

But let's not forget that Bush netted over 140,000 votes in Tarrant County, with over 62% of the vote.

And that he picked up another 100,000+ votes in Collin County, with over 70% of the vote.

And the 80,000 votes in Denton County, with 70% of the vote.

Throw in little Rockwall County, where Bush carried almost 80% of the vote, and I put the DFW metroplex (so defined) at just over a million votes for Bush and around 675K for Kerry, giving Bush about 60% of the vote.

Spread Houston out to include Fort Bend, Montgomery, Galveston, and Brazoria counties, and you 900,000 votes for Bush with 650,000 for Kerry. Again Bush takes around 60%.

While Travis County proper netted Kerry 50,000 votes, neighboring Williamson County gave 40,000 back to Bush. So Travis County does stand out as among the strongest Kerry bastions in the state, and certainly a much more fertile ground than Dallas, Houston, or San Antonio.

[Drbio]

It is a tear inspiring map. I love my country.

[capitalcity]

Arlington will grow less conservative

By O.K. Carter
Star-TelegramStaff Writer

There are 237 U.S. cities with more than 100,000 residents. Some are liberal politically, some conservative and some more balanced.

If the slightest doubt ever existed as to where Arlington stands in that spectrum, that issue has now been resolved. According to a nationwide study recently released by the Bay Area Center for Voting research, Arlington is officially the 14th most conservative city in America.

Though Texas is a bastion of conservative cities, in the Metroplex only one city -- mostly white, mostly socio-economically up-tempo Plano -- ranks as more conservative than Arlington. Plano is the fifth-most conservative American city.

The Bay Area Center researchers based their analysis on voting patterns in each city, ranking them on a scale of basic conservative and liberal values. Researchers tend to look for demographic correlations in such studies because it's much easier to predict tendencies without bothering to conduct costly studies and surveys. Basically what they found in this particular case is that liberal cities tend to have a substantial percentage of African-American residents and conservative cities tend to have very low numbers of African-Americans.

Other than that, they also found a tendency for academic enclaves to be somewhat liberal, even if the population happens to be mostly white. Think Berkeley, Calif. Incidentally, Washington, D.C., is the fourth-most liberal city in America. What a surprise.

"Detroit, Mich., and Provo, Utah, epitomize American's political, economic and racial polarization," researcher Peter Thai said. "As the most conservative city in America, Provo is overwhelmingly white and solidly middle class. This is in stark contrast to Detroit, which is impoverished, black and the most liberal."

All that being said, it's not exactly easy to determine why Arlington has become so conservative. Recollect that former President Clinton didn't come in second with Arlington voters. He came in third. Now that's conservative.

But the city is not exactly the white enclave that one would expect. The Arlington school district, for example, is already majority minority. And as the district goes, so eventually goes the city.

Some 13.6 percent of the city's total population is African-American, and 16.9 percent Hispanic. In addition Arlington has the 14th-largest Vietnamese population of any American city. There's also a substantial blue-collar, typically more liberal voting population and a sizable academic community. According to the census, only about a third of the city's working population is made up of professionals, who also tend to vote conservative.

No doubt any demographer or political scientist studying Arlington would be surprised to find that it ranks so high among conservative cities.

That being said, here's a prediction: Do that study again in a couple of years and Arlington will have dropped several places on the conservative scale. Do it in 10 years and it'll be much closer in terms of political philosophy to the middle. Either that or it'll be considered one of the great oddities of American politics.