Perryton

Scott Olson/Getty Images A dried-up corn crop near Perryton showed the impact of the dry weather.

Drought in the Lone Star State 2011

"Herman Cain just makes more sense and he's more down to earth," said Gerald Holmes, a 71-year-old children's book illustrator in Perryton, Texas, who is no fan of the Cain tax plan.

Cain Vaults to Lead in Poll Neil King Jr. 2011

But whether or not Perryton is ready, Texas politics are already changing.

Texas Town Says No to "Change" 2008

Like many people in Perryton, Mr. Willis says he worries about the possibility of a windfall-profits tax on energy, and he fears that Sen. Obama harbors socialistic share-the-wealth tendencies.

Deep-Red Region Has Obama Blues 2008

Stefan Falke Over 91% of 3,109 votes cast in Perryton, Texas, and surrounding Ochiltree County went for John McCain on Nov. 4.

Texas Town Says No to "Change" 2008

At left, a farm near Perryton, in the Texas Panhandle.

Texas Town Says No to "Change" 2008

Mary Jane Lofland, a Perryton native who runs the Freedom Express bail-bond service, wonders if a sense of waning power could explain why people seem so offended when they find out she's a Democrat.

Deep-Red Region Has Obama Blues 2008

Stefan Falke Perryton native Mary Jane Lofland last year became the first chairman of the Democratic Party in Perryton since 2000.

Texas Town Says No to "Change" 2008

But whether or not Perryton is ready, Texas politics are already changing, in part because of an influx of Hispanics and college graduates who are more likely to vote Democratic.

Deep-Red Region Has Obama Blues 2008

Stefan Falke Posters and buttons of both Democratic and Republican parties were on display at the Museum of The Plains in Perryton.

Texas Town Says No to "Change" 2008