The upcoming Texas Primary March 4th has revealed some conservative dissatisfaction with the likely nomination of Senator John McCain for president. This primary ranks as the most important since 1976, when Gerald Ford fought Ronald Reagan for Texas’ delegates to the Republican Convention.

   Since the primary is later than many other states, the nominees of both major parties are usually known before the presidential contest rolls into Texas. Senator McCain leads the national GOP field by a large margin in the delegate count, with only former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee standing between him and the nomination. With the recent departure of Mitt Romney, both McCain and Huckabee draw increased support in Texas opinion polls, according to a report in the Houston Chronicle. On Feb. 8th the Arizona senator polled 43%, Mr. Huckabee 33%, and Ron Paul drew 9% of likely voters in Texas, Mr. Paul’s home state. The 32 congressional districts each have 3 delegates at stake, for a total of 96, and 41 additional delegates going to the winner of the statewide vote, making it likely that each candidate will win some delegates.

Mr. Huckabee recent victories in Kansas and Louisiana highlight considerable dissatisfaction among some social conservatives with Senator McCain. Many feel that McCain supported liberal and Democratic Party positions at the expense of conservative unity, while the Arizona senator feels that by supporting issues on a factual basis, he supports the country over partisan ideology and creates the opportunity for bipartisanship.  Most of the institutional leadership of the Texas GOP now supports him, including former Rudy Guiliani supporter Governor Rick Perry, who recently called on Mr. Huckabee to withdraw from the race. Senator John Cornyn also recently endorsed McCain, though Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison has yet to endorse anyone. With a large base of conservative evangelical voters, Texas will challenge the secular Arizona senator.  Even if Gov. Huckabee manages to win in Texas, John McCain’s march to the nomination may be unstoppable.

   McCain may experience what happened to Gerald Ford in 1976, when social conservatives in the Texas Republican Party supported someone else in the primary and stayed home during the November general election.  Another outcome is that unhappy conservatives may crossover March 4th and vote in the more interesting Democratic Party primary, since Texas voters can participate in either primary.  Jimmy Carter won Texas in the 1976 presidential election, the last Democrat to do so. With McCain likely on the ballot in November, Democrats could carry Texas again.




Eric Bramlett is the broker & co-owner of One Source Realty in Austin, Texas. Eric currently manages his Austin Real Estate website, his Northwest Austin Texas real estate company's website, & his Austin Texas metal website.

The presidential primary March 4th in Texas may decide which Democrat faces the likely Republican Party nominee, Senator John McCain of Arizona. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, the final two Democrats left, face off in a tough, high-profile showdown in the Lone Star State.

The Democratic candidates are almost in a dead heat in the state, according to a Houston Chronicle poll. Texas voters in the Democratic Party primary are diverse, with just more than half either Hispanic or African-American. The 228 delegates will be split according to vote totals in the 31 state senate districts, with precinct conventions and a state caucus deciding the rest. Also, voter participation in the 2004 and 2006 elections for each district decides how delegates each senate district receives. For example, a heavily Hispanic district in south Texas with low voter turnout in the last two statewide elections could receive 7 delegates, while a high-turnout district in Houston gets 10 delegates, according to Chronicle. This complicated system of choosing delegates has some Democrats unhappy and calling for a change.

The estimated cost to campaign in Texas’ diverse markets is an expensive million dollars a week, and Senator Obama has been raising that much per day, collecting $32 million in January, while Senator Clinton just loaned her campaign $5 million, and some of her senior aides are working without salaries this month. After raising $13.5 million in January, Clinton announced Feb. 7th that her campaign raised $7.5 million in just one week; Obama’s campaign then went out and raised that much in 36 hours. That’s why Mrs. Clinton wants to debate Senator Obama once a week on television, since such publicity is free. So far, Mr. Obama has agreed to only one debate, and that’s in Cleveland, Ohio, February 26th on NBC. There’s also talk about one Texas debate.

Former White House Senior Advisor Karl Rove proclaimed on Fox News Feb. 7th that the Democratic nominee will come out of the Texas Primary, and that may be the case.
If Senator Obama momentum continues and he wins the most of the contests  Feb. 19th, as polling suggests, he will come into Texas ahead of Mrs. Clinton. Already in big trouble, if Hillary then loses Texas,  she would come into the Democratic Convention an underdog, if not outright loser.  If Obama loses in Texas, Hillary may still win the nomination. With Ohio also voting March 4th, Texas may decide which Democrat faces Mr. McCain November 4th.

 Eric Bramlett is the broker & co-owner of One Source Realty in Austin, Texas. Eric currently manages his Austin Real Estate website, his Austin condos website, & his Austin welder website.

A mainstay of Austin culture and art since 1916, and in its present location since 1996, the Austin Museum of Art has provided the community with accessible artwork to enlighten and educate its citizens. Echoing the words of museum patron Clara Driscoll, the museum is a place that "brings pleasure in the appreciation of art to the people of Texas."

Today, the Austin Museum of Art-Downtown continues to educate a broad audience on 20th century and contemporary art, with a world-class gallery, continually changing exhibits and even an Art School. For you and your family, it's a place to appreciate loveliness and creativity in many forms, as well as release your inner artist. You will find that the museum is centrally located downtown and housed in a contemporary-style building, perfectly reflecting the modern art inside. Each exhibition at this Austin, Texas museum is generally paired up with listening or reading stations, interpretive programming and museum guides who can reveal the unique and important impact that the visual arts create. Past exhibits have included everything from photography, sculpture, paintings, charcoal drawings and pottery collections.

The downtown location is a permanent expansion from the original museum, and provides a broad range of community-oriented features. The Community Room can be rented or reserved for activities or private functions as needed. The Art School holds classes in many different mediums for all ages. Try a beginner's class in watercolors, or enroll your child in the 3-D Art class designed for kids. The museum store is also located on-site and provides art-related gifts, books, toys and jewelry. It's perfect when you need a gift for the person who has everything or simply for browsing after an afternoon of viewing the latest exhibits in town.

The Austin Museum of Art is also dedicated to education enhancement, in the form of teacher seminars, adult education, group tours and family programs. It's a way for Austin, Texas residents to connect with the arts on a personal level and walk away with an increased understanding of their world. With an active volunteer program that enables Austin, TX citizens to act as museum docents, it's easy for just about anyone to get involved.

The museum is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday hours are from noon to 5:00 p.m, and closed Mondays and holidays. Located at 823 Congress Avenue at 9th Street, the museum is adjacent to a convenient parking garage at 9th and Brazos. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and students and free for children 12 and under. Eric Bramlett is the broker & co-owner of One Source Realty in Austin, Texas. Eric currently manages his downtown Austin condos Guide, his downtown Austin company's website, & his Austin TX Welder website.

Now in its 97th year, the Austin Symphony is the pinnacle of cultural events in the Austin, TX area and the beginning of the live music scene that dominates the modern entertainment culture of this vibrant Texas city. Showcasing classical music that spans continents, genres and generations, the Austin Symphony brings together almost 100 musicians who work together to create memorable music.

Even if you've never attended a symphony before, you can appreciate the Austin Symphony. With a quick introduction to the strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion and a little insight into the pieces that will be played, you can enjoy just about any presentation. Simply let your mind follow the highs and lows of the piece and feel the music as it wraps around your emotions and feelings.

The Austin Symphony presents a wide variety of music from many different composers. In one season, you might have the choice between Beethoven, Strauss and Handel as well as a "Simply Sinatra" concert, a string quartet or a guitar quartet. The diversity means that everyone will be able to find some kind of music that appeals to them. Tickets are easy to purchase online or at the ticket office for the Austin Symphony.

It's easy to find out what's in store as far as concerts from the Austin Symphony-their easy to use website shows the season calendars and the events and featured artists that are coming up. Generally, the Austin Symphony performs eight classical concerts, four pops concerts and two family concerts. Elsewhere in the community, the Austin Symphony performs at such exiting venues such as during the city's Fourth of July events and the free concerts in the park during the summers. The symphony also performs holiday concerts for the residents of Austin, Texas to enhance the holiday atmosphere.

The Austin Symphony even holds concerts that are appropriate for children, presenting some of the more classic works in a friendly and shortened concert. There is also a chance for children to learn more about the different instruments, meet the conductor and learn more about the composers of whose work is being played. The Children's Day Art Park is a fine place to see the musicians up close and listen to new music from the Austin Symphony.

Several award-winning education programs are organized through the Austin Symphony. These programs allow for musicians to visit classrooms in the Austin, TX area, provide study guides for music teachers, bring students for field trips to the concert hall and allow young musicians the chance to play with a real orchestra. Designed to enhance art appreciation in youngsters, the Austin Symphony has been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and the American Symphony Orchestra League. Eric Bramlett is the broker & co-owner of One Source Realty in Austin, Texas. Eric currently manages his Austin TX Real Estate Guide, his Austin real estate company's website, & his Austin Welder website.

Touted as the "Live Music Capital of the World," the city of Austin, Texas, has a rhythm of its own. With more live music venues per capita than any other music center in the world, Austin, TX dominates over other places known for music such as Nashville, Los Angeles or Las Vegas. The city of Austin, Texas offers several programs to assist musicians and to promote their music in a variety of genres, from country to blues.

Whether you are just arriving in Austin, Texas for the first time or you are a local coming home, you will be greeted at the airport with live music at three different airport venues. The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is just the first reminder that you've entered the "Live Music Capital" of Austin, TX.

The Plaza at the Austin City Hall puts on a music showcase with different scopes that highlight different musicians and their music. Free concerts are given between April and October at The Plaza, making the music series "Live From The Plaza" one of the more popular music venues around. The Parks and Recreation Department also highlights musical performances, with summer concerts in various locations, such as the Zilker Hillside Theater.

Many private organizations have emerged as a result of the hot music scene in Austin, TX. The city's famous Sixth Street is the heart of the live music scene, with more than 50 nightclubs, restaurants, bistros and dance clubs showcasing the latest musicians in a variety of music styles. West of the business district lies what is known as Austin's Warehouse District, fast emerging as another neighborhood devoted to live music. With edgier restaurants and clubs renovated from old warehouses, the Warehouse District features trendy bars, restaurants and amazing concert halls.

There are several theaters in Austin, Texas that spotlight more live music, such as Esther's Follies. Located on Sixth Street, Esther's Follies has featured live acts of magic, comedy, music and sketch comedy for more than two decades. The Frank Erwin Center hosts many concerts and other musical events from its Red River Street location. The Zachary Scott Theater is another place to enjoy a wide variety of live entertainment, from seasonal plays to old-fashioned music concerts. Austin, Texas has many other theaters located throughout the city that are just waiting to be discovered by eager residents.

Of course, the "Live Music Capital of the World" wouldn't be complete with out music festivals, and Austin, TX hosts several noteworthy ones. Try out the Austin City Limits Music Festival, a 3-day celebration of Austin's music. The Southwest Music, Film and Interactive Festival highlights worldwide talents in each category. The Urban Music Festival and the Old Settler's Music Festival are two more popular events just right for the whole family. Eric Bramlett is the broker & co-owner of One Source Realty in Austin, Texas. Eric currently manages his Austin TX Real Estate Guide, his Austin real estate company's website, & his Austin Welder website.