Democrata Don't Expect Knockout Win

The month long political fight in Texas and Ohio concludes in today's primaries, but the campaigns of U.S. Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama signaled Monday that neither expects a knockout punch for the Democratic presidential nomination.

The expectations were lowered because the polls in Texas and Ohio showed the race was too close to call. Plus, the complex system of Texas delegates being chosen by both popular vote and through caucuses makes it possible for the popular vote winner to come up short in delegates.

A tracking poll Monday showed Clinton leading Obama 46.6 percent to 43.5 percent in Texas and essentially tied in Ohio: Clinton, 44 percent; Obama, 44.4 percent. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.4 percentage points in both surveys. The Houston Chronicle, Reuters, C-Span tracking polls were conducted by Zogby International.

East Texas is essential to Democratic Primary

Battleground Texas in the Democratic presidential primary is firming up, with Hillary Rodham Clinton in control of South Texas and Barack Obama apparently owning Houston and Dallas, a new tracking poll shows.

And in the one-time bastion of the Texas Democratic Party — East Texas — the race is swinging back and forth.

Statewide, Obama holds a lead, but pollster John Zogby said the race is too close to call, especially with heavy turnout in early voting. Zogby said Obama is leading Clinton among young voters, men, blacks and holds almost 60 percent support in Houston and Dallas.

Obama Will Appear In Houston On Tuesday

Senator Barack Obama will be in Houston for a rally at the Toyota Center early next week, his campaign announced today.

The candidate's "Stand For Change Rally" at 6 p.m. on Tuesday is scheduled for the first day of early voting for Texas' March 4 primaries. Tickets to the rally are free on a first-come, first-served basis at texas.barackobama.com/houston

Houston 'Pumps Up' For Barack Obama

Barack Obama supporters rallied in the Third Ward Saturday, making noise and igniting a frenzy over the man they believe should be the next president of the United States.

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Barack Obama - In New Orleans

Here is an excerpt from Presidential Candidate, Barack Obama's, speech in New Orleans today:

When I am President, the days of dysfunction and cronyism in Washington will be over. The director of FEMA will report to me. He or she will have the highest qualifications in emergency management. And I won't just tell you that I'll insulate that office from politics - I'll guarantee it, by giving my FEMA director a fixed term like the director of the Federal Reserve. I don't want FEMA to be thinking for one minute about the politics of a crisis. I want FEMA to do its job, which is protecting the American people - not protecting a President's politics.

And as soon as we take office, my FEMA director will work with emergency management officials in all fifty states to create a National Response Plan. Because we need to know - before disaster comes - who will be in charge; and how the federal, state and local governments will work together to respond.

But putting up defenses is not sufficient. Because renewing trust with the people of New Orleans is not just about stronger levees and pumping systems - it's about people.