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AUSTIN If the general election were a battle, for Democrats it was the Alamo. Everybody died.

The problem is not only that they lost, but also that their brassy yearlong pledge to turn Texas blue has suffered such a setback.

Wendy Davis did no better among women than Democrat Bill White in the governors race four years ago, and she did worse among Hispanics.

In the end, Davis trailed Republican victor Greg Abbott by 20 points. No Democrat has finished so far behind since 1998, a blowout in which popular incumbent George W. Bush swamped Garry Mauro.

The national headwind was a lot to run against in a red state, said Glenn Smith of the Progress Texas PAC, a Davis ally. Wendy was going to have to throw a perfect game to even get close, and she didnt throw a perfect game.

For Davis and the rest of the Democratic statewide slate, the obstacles proved too difficult to overcome.

Among them: President Barack Obamas unpopularity and the failure of the organizing group Battleground Texas to boost turnout. They also faced an aggressive Abbott campaign to keep white voters, make inroads among Hispanics and dissuade moderate women voters from backing Davis.

The presidents low approval ratings clearly didnt help. Republicans repeatedly targeted him in speeches and TV spots.

At Tuesdays GOP victory party in Austin, Davis name barely was mentioned from the stage. But Obamas was frequently.

At one point, amid the balloons and election-night reverie, Gov. Rick Perry reminded the crowd that Texas remains the nations biggest red state.

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Analysis: Texas Democrats are running on empty