Rick wins Progressive Patriots

Greetings,

I'm proud to announce that the Progressive Patriots community has chosen U.S. Senate candidate of Texas Rick Noriega as our first 'Progressive Patriot' of 2008. Of the thousands of progressives who cast their vote, Rick received the most votes and we'll be sending him a $5,000 contribution today to help his campaign. While I'm sure it was difficult to choose among so many great candidates, we're thrilled to support Rick's campaign for the Senate seat in Texas.

Rick has spent his entire career serving this country. Following a 14 month deployment to Afghanistan, Rick returned to his native Houston to coordinate Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. In addition to his military background, Rick was elected to four terms in the Texas House. I urge you to check out Rick's website at www.ricknoriega.com to learn more about his record and to find out how you can help Rick succeed in November.

We're also proud to have made smaller contributions to the other six great Senate candidates that you nominated. With thousands of progressives voting from all 50 states, this round of 'Pick a Progressive Patriot' was exceptionally close and I'm proud the Progressive Patriots Fund is able to financially support all seven in their campaigns for the U.S. Senate.

Thank you for voting and I look forward to more 'Pick a Progressive Patriot' events as we move closer to the election in November.

Sincerely,

Russ Feingold
United States Senator
Honorary Chair, Progressive Patriots Fund

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Democracy for America Endorses Rick!

Thanks to overwhelming support from the grassroots around Texas, State Representative Rick Noriega has become Democracy for America's first U.S. Senate endorsement for 2008! Thousands of Democracy for Texas supporters and Texans from all walks of life joined together to voice their support of Rick's candidacy.

A message from DFA Chair Jim Dean will be coming later this week. But don't wait for it - make a contribution to Rick's campaign today!

Click here to Contribute Online

South Texas Stands Up For Noriega

Local leaders welcome U.S. Senate candidate Rick Noriega to Uvalde State Representative Pete Gallego joins Governor Briscoe in praising Noriega for bringing military experience to national debate

(Uvalde, TX) – State Representative and Army Lt. Col. Rick Noriega, who is exploring a run for the U.S. Senate, was the Special Guest last Wednesday night at a fundraiser honoring fellow State Representative Pete Gallego (D-Alpine). Former Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe and Uvalde County Democratic Party Chairman Pat Dodson hosted the event at the Oasis Outback Bar-B-Q. Governor Briscoe and Representative Gallego recently announced their endorsements for Noriega's bid for Senate.

"I am honored to receive the support of Governor Briscoe and my colleague, Representative Gallego," said Representative Noriega.

In his statement endorsing Representative Noriega, Governor Briscoe called Noriega a "humble public servant."

"I think in these times an essential criteria for representing Texas in the United States Senate is service in the military, a person who has walked the walk. Rick's service to his country in Afghanistan makes Texans proud," Briscoe said.

"In the Legislature, Rick served as the point man on border security, helping put politics aside and bringing a common sense law enforcement perspective based on his first-hand experience serving in Operation Jump Start," said Gallego, whose district includes Uvalde County.

Noriega discussed with Briscoe, Gallego, and another South Texas legislator, State Representative Tracy King (D-Eagle Pass), the need to strengthen the V.A. health system to provide the care veterans deserve, and his challenge to Republican Senator John Cornyn to stand up for Texas children and support the Children's Health Insurance Program.

"I appreciate every opportunity I have to hear the concerns of people throughout Texas, whether here in Uvalde or up in the Panhandle," Noriega said.

Rick Noriega, in his fifth term as a State Representative from Houston, led the effort to increase teacher pay during this year's legislative session. A Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, he served a tour of duty in Afghanistan and as the incident commander at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, leading the relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

VoteVets Support Rick Noriega

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:

Thursday, September 27^th, 2007 James Aldrete, 512-751-3448

Leading Veteran political organization for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans endorses Rick Noriega for Senate

VoteVets.org makes Texas the battleground on ending the War in Iraq

(Houston, TX) — VoteVets.org, the leading political organization for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, today endorsed the U.S. Senate candidacy of Rick Noriega in his effort to unseat incumbent Republican John Cornyn.

Founded in 2006 by Iraq War Veterans Jon Soltz and Jeremy Broussard, VoteVets.org has endorsed eight candidates, both Democrats and Republicans, and held 11 Members of Congress accountable for failing to provide body armor and health care to active service members. The organization’s Board of Advisors includes respected veterans who speak from experience, including General Wesley K. Clark (ret.) and former Senator Bob Kerrey.

“As an Afghanistan veteran, you are keenly aware that the current course we are on has not only brought our fine Army and Marine Corps to the breaking point, but has endangered our security,” Soltz wrote in his letter to Noriega, noting the growing threat of al Qaeda once again in Afghanistan and Pakistan. “The dose of reality you will bring to the floor of the Senate couldn’t come at a more important time.”

Noriega, who serves as a Lt. Col. in the National Guard, has been an outspoken critic of the Administration’s policies in Iraq, and John Cornyn’s failed leadership. “The problem is, we hold a private in the US Army to a higher level of accountability than the junior Senator from the state of Texas,” Noriega stated. “Real Texans don't vote against giving troops time home with their families. I've had the privilege of serving shoulder-to-shoulder with our men and women in uniform, and I'm ready to lead the fight in the US Senate to end this war."

Soltz, in his letter, called John Cornyn “one of the weakest voices on troops’ and veterans’ issues,” and noting his refusal to allow our military to refit and rearm along with his votes against care for veterans, he added “Texans have little to be proud of when it comes to John Cornyn’s record on veterans and troops.” The endorsement from VoteVets.org follows on the heels of the endorsement by the State Association of Fire Fighters, and a growing number of Democratic leaders supporting Noriega’s candidacy to represent the State of Texas in the United States Senate.

— 30 —

September 27, 2007

State Rep. Rick Noriega
Rick Noriega for US Senate Campaign
PO Box 231163
Houston, TX 77223

Dear Representative Noriega,

I am writing to inform you that VoteVets.org PAC has decided to endorse your campaign for the United States Senate. Congratulations! As you know, VoteVets.org PAC is the leading political organization of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, representing the voices of thousands who served with us in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

At this crucial time in the course of our nation, the Senate is in dire need of a new voice from the Afghanistan and Iraq veterans’ community. We believe, as Senator from Texas, you will not just represent your state well, but will stand out as one of the strongest and most credible voices in support of our fellow troops and veterans, and the military.

As an Afghanistan veteran, you are keenly and personally aware that the current course we are on has not only brought our fine Army and Marine Corp to the breaking point, but has endangered our security, as al Qaeda has been able to reconstitute and strengthen itself in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The dose of reality that you will bring to the floor of the Senate couldn’t come at a more important time.

Unfortunately for Texans, one of the weakest voices on troops’ and veterans’ issues has been John Cornyn. Whether it’s his steadfast refusal to allow our military time to refit and rearm for the long fight against terror ahead, or his votes against care for veterans, Texas has little to be proud of when it comes to John Cornyn’s record on the veterans and troops. We know, however, you will be our champion.

We firmly believe that Texas, our military, our veterans, and the nation will be strongly served by having you on the floor of the United States Senate. We’re pleased, therefore, to offer you our enthusiastic endorsement.

Best of luck in your campaign!

Sincerely,


Jon Soltz
Iraq War Veteran
Chairman, VoteVets.org

Rick Noriega Takes 78.4% In Poll

Democracy for America poll last week was completely and unquestionably pwned by Rick Noriega.

This week, democrats from across Texas joined the members of Democracy for Texas in their first endorsement poll in the organization's history.

Here's an email from Democracy for Texas:

Subject line: And the DFT endorsement goes to….

You have spoken loud and clear. With overwhelming support from all over the State, Rick Noriega is the stand-out choice of the grassroots to face John Cornyn in the race for the U.S. Senate. The final results are:

All Voters DFT Members Before Poll
Noriega 78.4% 86.2%
Watts 21.6 13.8

Total votes cast: 1,931 *

We're excited that our first endorsement is for such a terrific candidate, one who drew comments such as these:

"I am extremely impressed with Rick Noriega's clarity of thought and purpose as well as his passion and organization."

"Rick is the right man at the right time."

"Rick Noriega is the candidate supported by grassroots Texans all across our State because he is the candidate who has the integrity to represent all Texans…"

"…Rick is tough enough to stand toe to toe with any Republican…"

"Rick Noriega has "walked the walk" and has a progressive voting record to show for it!"

Over the coming months, we'll give you ideas of how you can help Rick in his campaign. Right now, the best way you can help is to sign up on his website and make a contribution before the end of the quarter on September 30.

Join the Noriega for Senate campaign here.

Make a donation here.

We appreciate the thoughtful answers of both candidates to our questionnaire. And many thanks to all of you who took the time to read their answers and vote, especially those who made a contribution to help us defray the cost of the poll.

We look forward to an exciting primary season and to sending John Cornyn home in November!

Your DFT Steering Committee –

Erik Azulay, Glen Maxey, Mark McCulloch, Karl-Thomas Musselman, and Fran Vincent

P.S. Marla Camp, one of the founders of Democracy for Texas, is on sabbatical from the Steering Committee while she focuses on her successful new magazine, Edible Austin. Marla will continue to be involved in DFT, and we look forward to having her back in a leadership position as soon as possible.

* In order to address concerns expressed by some participants about the elimination of questionable votes, we have counted all (including those in question) votes except those that were clearly duplicates, those cast after the deadline, and a handful from out of state.

Noriega Expected To Win DFT Poll

Formal results won't be released until Monday (here), but with the trends that have been released, NoriegaBlog is confident in calling this poll for Rick Noriega, who has had a significant lead over Mikal Watts since the polling began. Here are the official tallies (percents only, to avoid ballot stuffing).

Wednesday Noon Update:
Rick Noriega- 78%
Mikal Watts- 22%

Thursday Noon Update:
Rick Noriega- 82%
Mikal Watts- 18%

Friday Noon Update:
Rick Noriega- 74%
Mikal Watts- 26%

Saturday Noon Update:
Rick Noriega- 77%
Mikal Watts- 23%

We'll wait for the official word Monday! Thanks Democracy for Texas!

We Want YOU... To Vote!

In case you thought I was joking the first time around, we SERIOUSLY want you to vote in the Democracy for Texas Poll. DFT wants an accurate gauge of Democrats in Texas. Who would you want as your next Democratic nominee for the US Senate from Texas? You have until Saturday, but why wait?

VOTE NOW!

Cameron County Delegation Hops On The Noriega Express!

Rick picked up the endorsements of the Cameron County Legislative Delegation last week, according to the Rio Grande Guardian. A fundraiser was held at the Valley International Country Club.

“I have known Rick Noriega for about 25 years,” said state Rep. René Oliveira, D-Brownsville, introducing his House colleague to those at the fundraiser. “He’s about as solid a human being, as solid a husband, as solid a father, as solid a leader as you could possibly be.”

State Rep Eddie Lucio spent the day taking Noriega to meet community leaders in Harlingen. “He was received so well,” Lucio told the audience. Lucio also urged Cameron County voters to show up on Election Day to help get Noriega elected. “We only vote, folks, down here 14, 15, 16 percent. That is not empowering your elected officials. Let’s make it a point to vote in huge numbers.”

“I’m concerned that a pro-life trial lawyer is going to have a hard time winning,” Oliveira said, referring to Watts. He said that in Noriega, Texans could vote for a decorated colonel in the National Guard, who had served in Afghanistan and spent 12 years in House learning about education and roads.

“We’ve got a guy who can walk into the United States Senate and probably teach them a thing or two and not somebody who needs to go up there on training wheels; who has no sense of public service.”

In his remarks, Noriega blasted Cornyn over his vote for a border wall, his vote against giving combat troops as much time away from battle as they spent in Iraq, and for voting against enrolling more children in SCHIP. “That does not represent the values of us as Tejanos, as Texans, and as Americans. That does not,” Noriega said.

Noriega said the state and the country were at a crossroads. And, he said he was looking forward to representing the values South Texans cared about. “It’s not about me at all. It is about us as a state and us as a country. I’m not going to win this race. We are going to win this race,” he said.

Texas State Association of Fire Fighters Endorses Rick Noriega

On Wednesday, The Texas State Association of Fire Fighters endorsed Rick Noriega. Here's their press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TEXAS STATE ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS

ENDORSES RICK NORIEGA

Due to for his longtime leadership and support of public safety professionals, the Texas State Association of Fire Fighters, representing more than 14,000 professional fire fighters across Texas, today announced their Endorsement of State Representative Rick Noriega for election to the United States Senate,

“It is an honor to endorse Rick Noriega for U.S. Senate”, says Guy Turner, President of the association. “His longtime support of public safety and specifically issues directly affecting the health and safety and working conditions of professional fire fighters makes him the best choice for fire fighters”, continues Turner.

“Rick Noriega is a patriot who has served our nation and our great state with honor and distinction” said Bob York, TSAFF Secretary-Treasurer. York continued “no other candidate for U.S. Senate could better represent fire fighters and the interests of working men and women across the United States”.

Representative Noriega successfully amended the Fire Fighter and Police Officer Civil Service law to allow those fire fighters or police officers serving in the military to utilize paid leave donated by their co-workers. He has sponsored several other bills on behalf of professional fire fighters and since Representative Noriega’s election to the Texas House of Representatives, he has a 100 percent record of supporting fire fighter legislation.

Mike Higgins, TSAFF Chief of Staff also noted Noriega’s leadership in the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Noriega, who served as the Incident Commander at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, oversaw the medical and social services for thousands of our neighbors from Louisiana who were forced to flee their homes. “He walks the walk when it comes to serving others,” Higgins added. “That’s what makes him a leader that fire fighters, law enforcement and public safety professionals can look up to.”

For Further Information Contact:
Mike Higgins
512-750-6131 (cell)
mhiggins@tsaff.org

Republicans Cross Party Lines to Join Rick Noriega

Massachusetts Governor and Republican Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney announced the formation of a Hispanic Steering Committee, according to Texas Politics. It included key Republican and Hispanic figures, six of them from Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio.

One of the members, former Republican National Hispanic Assembly Chairman Massey Villarreal "caused a stir" by announcing he will not support U.S. Sen. John Cornyn for re-election.

A native of Corpus Christi, Villarreal is one of the top Hispanic Republicans in the country. Bush referred to him as his "friend y Tejano" in a speech in March. Named one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in the United States by Hispanic Business Magazine in 2002, Villarreal served as national Hispanic vice-chairman of the Bush/Cheney for President Campaign. Villarreal served as chairman of the board of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly for four terms.

Villarreal told the Rio Grande Guardian that Cornyn's positions on immigration harmed the Hispanic community and that he would support Democrat Rick Noriega for Senate.

From The Rio Grande Guardian, Villarreal speaks about Republican talking points:

“We are law abiding, we love this country, but if some of the Republican bigots had their way, they would make sure my father went back. They have no compassion. My Dad would be headed back and that’s just wrong.”

“I would like to see Congressman Culberson take a job on a landscaping truck to see what immigrants do for our community,” Villarreal said, referring to U.S. Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston.

“There are those rightwing Republicans who don’t represent our interest, don’t represent our vision,” he said. “I’m sorry their constituents elect them because they don’t represent the interests of the whole community.”

“I have decided to support Rick Noriega for U.S. Senate as a Democrat. I just don’t think John Cornyn hears my community,” Villarreal said.

So it appears that even with Cornyn's dismal approval ratings, he's even losing support from Republicans. See Texas Much More PURPLE Than Most People Expect...

Video Highlights from Monday Press Conference Endorsing Rick Noriega

Video from the Monday Press Conference endorsing Rick

From Rick:

"On Monday, I was humbled to receive the endorsement of two Texas Democratic icons: Governor Dolph Briscoe and Lt. Governor Bill Hobby. At a special endorsement event, Governor Hobby joined Senator Rodney Ellis, Senator John
Whitmire, the Dean of the Texas Senate, and my own State Senator, Mario Gallegos to discuss the upcoming race. I invite you to watch video from the event below, as this was a reminder to all of us that Texas stands greatest when we look to the future, bring people together, and hold our government accountable."

Texas Democratic icons endorse Rick Noriega’s exploratory bid for US Senate

Texas Democratic icons — Governor Dolph Briscoe, Lt. Governor Bill Hobby and State Senator Rodney Ellis — endorse Rick Noriega’s exploratory bid for US Senate

(Houston, TX) — Texas Democratic icons Governor Dolph Briscoe, Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby and State Senator Rodney Ellis, who briefly served as Lt. Governor as well, today joined Houston’s Paul Hobby in endorsing Rick Noriega as the next United States Senator from Texas.

Standing together at the George R. Brown Convention Center, where Noriega served as Incident Commander when the facility was turned into a shelter and emergency support network in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, these icons that represent over three decades of Texas leadership called for a restoration of forward looking leadership that responds to the needs of the people.

“What we have here today is more than a list of endorsements,” Noriega declared. "It is a history lesson that teaches us that Texas stands at its greatest when we plan for the future, bring people together, and hold our government accountable.”

Under the weather with a fever, Governor Dolph Briscoe, who occupied the Governor’s Mansion from 1973 – 1979, sent a written statement that paid tribute to Noriega’s service in the military and humanitarian leadership in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. “These times call for a leader like Rick Noriega, a leader with character, a leader who understands Texans are not afraid of the future, and we’re not followers.”

State Senator Rodney Ellis recalled how Noriega has lived out the warrior’s ethos — leave no man behind — from the battlefield to the legislature and in the community. “In the legislature, Rick fought to all Texas children had health insurance. And here in this very building, the George R. Brown Convention Center, he proved that compassion is not a weakness, but part of the very fabric of who we are as Texans,” Ellis explained. “That’s the type of leadership we need in the United States Senate.”

Lt. Governor Bill Hobby, who served Texas from 1973 to 1991, spoke directly to Noriega’s appeal statewide, “It’s time for a US Senator who can bring Texans together,” Governor Hobby declared. “Rick Noriega earns respect for the strength of his convictions, for rejecting the politics of personal destruction, and for his courage to speak to a higher calling in all of us, “Hobby added.

Noriega openly questioned whether John Cornyn’s voting record reflects the values of ordinary Texans, noting that the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) rated Cornyn 85th out of 100 Senators in support for veterans and their families.

“The standard for leadership and service has been set by the gentlemen behind me; not by the man who occupies one of Texas’ two US Senate seats,” Noriega concluded.

Noriega promised that as his exploratory campaign continues to gain momentum, “Texans will get a chance to see the many faces and many perspectives that our campaign represents.”

Weekend News Roundup

And boy, what a weekend it was..!

Getting back from National Guard Training Thursday to an additional $25K worth of support from you guys, his press release came Friday from the Campaign, and covered at kos:

Over Three Decades of Texas Leadership Come Together in Support of Rick Noriega’s U.S. Senate Exploratory Bid

(Houston, TX) — U.S. Senate candidate Rick Noriega will announce his support from current and former Texas leaders spanning more than three decades. Governor Dolph Briscoe, Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby and State Senator Rodney Ellis, who briefly served as Lt. Governor, will join Houston’s Paul Hobby in calling for Rick Noriega’s leadership in the United States Senate.

Rick went to a meeting of the SDEC (State Democratic Executive Committee) in Austin on Saturday to the same amazing reception he's received at ActBlue (thanks to you of course). Here's how he was received, from Hal at Half Empty:

Each candidate stood up as they were introduced. Mikal Watts and Emil Reichstadt each got what my source called “polite applause”. But when Rick Noriega was introduced the applause, shouts, foot stomps and hoots nearly blew the roof off. Sue Schechter, Noriega’s campaign manager was visiting with my source minutes later, and my source tells me that [campaign manager] Sue was almost speechless with surprise.

What became clear at that moment, and it should be no surprise but it was, was that Rick Noriega is the frontrunner Democratic candidate, not the disadvantaged progressive grassroots underdog as he is being painted. Rick Noriega is not just the people’s choice for the Democratic nominee to take on John Cornyn in November.

He is the choice of a broad spectrum of Democrats from Lefty to Centrist.

Rick Noriega: Frontrunner.

Sunday, Virginia Freshman Senator, Vietnam Veteran, and Armed Services Committee member Jim Webb squared off against our own Junior Senator John Cornyn. Webb was articulate with his facts and figures, while Cornyn recited talking points from his constituent: President Bush. PS. I couldn't stop thinking about how Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream used a play within a play? Well Cornyn was joining from Austin (appearantly not on an HD enabled camera), and was a talkinghead within a talkinghead. Good job Corny. Anyways, On This Week with George Stephanopoulos:

"Senator Warner is a great patriot and a student of history, and he's clearly sending a signal to the Iraqis that our patience is not unlimited, and that's correct," said Cornyn, a fellow member of Senate Armed Services Committee. "But I don't think it's in our best interest to put so much pressure on the new Iraqi government that it absolutely collapses."

"We don't want to allow that to happen, because it would make us less safe here at home," he said.

From Todd Hill at BOR:

Not in our best interests to put pressure on the Iraqi government? They are in RECESS for the month of August while our brave men and women in uniform slog through 120 degree heat in desert terrain. They are doing it because men like Cornyn rubberstamped a neocon debacle of the first order out of Party loyalty and not American national security interests. His rubberstamp has made our country more vulnerable and less safe in a post 9/11 world.