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DALLAS (CBS11) – Dallas County Democrats enjoyed the chance to meet their Vice-Presidential nominee Tim Kaine on Wednesday.

Even though Hillary Clinton wasn’t with Kaine at Gloria’s restaurant in Oak Cliff, she was still on supporter Kris Farrell’s mind.

“I’m thrilled. I would love to see both here a lot more often,” said Farrell.

She and other Democratic precinct chairs were also pleased to see the Clinton campaign’s announcement that 50 Republicans and Independents are backing her and not the GOP nominee Donald Trump.

“Glad they came to their senses. I think it’s a very good choice,” said Farrell.

Jean Ball agreed. “I’m delighted they are. I feel their pain in not having a sane candidate,” said Ball.

About 20 people on the list include current and former Republican members of Congress and officials who served in the administrations of President Reagan and both Presidents Bush.

But Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick though tells CBS11 he’s not impressed.

“In terms of a handful of elected officials who are cowering under their desks, that’s up to them,” said Patrick.

When asked if Republicans are defeating themselves, the Lt. Governor replied, “I sure hope not. I don’t think so. I think in the end, the Republican party will come together and have the typical support of 90 percent of Republicans.”

Patrick says Trump must run a good, disciplined campaign. He says Trump has already shown he can attract new voters.

As of now, the Real Clear Politics average of national polls shows Clinton ahead of Trump by about eight points.

But the Clinton campaign isn’t taking anything for granted.

While local TV news photographers were allowed inside, most TV reporters were not.

The campaign said Kaine, a Virginia Senator, former Virginia Governor, and former Mayor of Richmond, would not talk with reporters or answer any of their questions.

That surprised SMU political science professor Cal Jillson, who said given their lead in the polls, he thought the Clinton campaign would give reporters more access to Kaine.

Polls also show the former Secretary of State is giving Trump a run in states once under strong Republican control such as Georgia and Arizona.

But Patrick says that won’t happen in the Lone Star State. “When it comes to Texas values, there’s no question the majority of Texans, we’re in a Republican state, support where he’s coming from more than her,” said Patrick.

Democrats haven’t won a statewide office in Texas in 20 years, and they acknowledge it will take many years to turn the state over to Democratic control.

Before campaigning at Gloria’s, Kaine attended fundraisers in Fort Worth and University Park.

No word how much money he helped raise.

But Professor Jillson says if Democrats want to turn Texas blue, the party needs to invest more time and money here.

Fernando Rojas, who met Kaine Wednesday afternoon agreed. “This is a blue county here in Texas and we need to have more attention paid to us. We are doing everything we can to turn Texas blue and certainly having him (Kaine) here will help us,” said Rojas.

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