who won the state of texas in 2008?
Esperanza Andrade
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 Democratic Senator and former Governor Evan Bayh of Indiana began a movement for the 2008 Democratic nomination for president of the United States shortly following the 2004 presidential election . 

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 The championship game drew attention from political figures . Head Coach Mack Brown took a congratulatory call from United States President George W. Bush , who told Brown , " Congratulations on a wonderful moment ... Tell the team congratulations , we 're proud of them . " White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said Bush wished Brown and the Longhorns all the best , and said that he looked forward to having them visit the White House soon . Bush was formerly a Governor of Texas and his daughter Jenna is a UT graduate . On February 14 , 2006 , Bush did host the team and coaches at the White House . California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger lost a bet with Texas Governor Rick Perry on the outcome and had to send Perry a basket of " California wines , fruit and other goodies " . The food was donated to National Guard troops in Texas . Both governors also offered autographed , handmade cowboy boots that were auctioned to benefit survivors of Hurricane Rita and Hurricane Katrina . Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa lost a bet with Austin Mayor Will Wynn and had to send a basket of produce , such as avocados , from a local farmers ' market ; Wynn had bet Texas ' finest barbecue . 

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 A bet on the game between the governors of Kansas and Virginia was resolved when Virginia Governor Tim Kaine sent a Virginia smoked ham to the Kansas state capitol . Had Virginia Tech won , Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius would have sent Kaine an assortment of Kansas beef . 

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 In June 1999 , while Governor of Texas , Bush announced his candidacy for President of the United States . With no incumbent running , Bush entered a large field of candidates for the Republican Party presidential nomination consisting of John McCain , Alan Keyes , Steve Forbes , Gary Bauer , Orrin Hatch , Elizabeth Dole , Dan Quayle , Pat Buchanan , Lamar Alexander , John Kasich , and Bob Smith . 

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 Even before 2003 , the state had become increasingly supportive of Republicans in Presidential elections . It has supported a Democrat for president only three times since 1960 . In 1976 and 1980 , native son Jimmy Carter carried the state ; in 1992 , the former Arkansas governor Bill Clinton narrowly won the state . Generally , Republicans are strongest in the predominantly white suburban ( especially the Atlanta suburbs ) and rural portions of the state . Many of these areas were represented by conservative Democrats in the state legislature well into the 21st century . One of the most conservative of these was U.S. Congressman Larry McDonald , former head of the John Birch Society , who died when the Soviet Union shot down KAL 007 near Sakhalin Island . Democratic candidates have tended to win a higher percentage of the vote in the areas where black voters are most numerous , as well as in the cities ( especially Atlanta and Athens ) , and the rural Black Belt region that passes through the central and southwestern portion of the state . 
