when will Texas be winnable for Democrats?

[agcatter]

Absolutely Obama will crack 40% in Texas this year. 

57-42 seems likely. 

Democrats have tried everything in the state.  In 02 they tried the dream team.  A wealthy  Hispanic running for governor spending loads of money running in tandom with a black candidate for the Senate who was characterized as "conservative".  Of course the idea was to use this "dream ticket" to bump up the black and Hispanic vote at the same time that Ron Kirk was portrayed as a "conservative Democrat".  60 minutes ran a puff piece the Sunday before the election portraying Kirk as a "new Democrat".  Rubbish.

Tony Sanchez lost the governor's race by 19 points and Kirk lost his bid for an open Senate seat by 12 points.  We haven't had a Democrat elected to any statewide office in the last 12 years.  Democrats did capture Delay's congressional seat in 06 however when no Republican was allowed on the ballot.

When will the state be competitive for a Democratic presidential nominee?  Not anytime soon unless President Obama can get the vote for illegal non citizens.  Too many constitutional and legal barriers.