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.

Noriega, Watts, Cornyn website comparison...

So there really a lot that you can tell from a candidate from their website. Just by how it's maintained, how it's designed, you can see what's really important to the candidate. I.E. When, on the day of the primary, Joe Lieberman claimed his website was hacked by bloggers. (more from kos). Of course, after the investigation, the State Attorney General's office, and even supposedly the FBI found no involvement from outside sources.

Even Republican Mark Kennedy's website claimed to have had a "security breach," although their contribution page was still up and running. From ConnecticutBob , "The best part is, if you click on the link to Kennedy's website above and quickly hit the Stop button, it catches it before it redirects from the original webpage. I captured the code below, and there is an obvious line edited into it from their web designer, which says this: '...remove refresh when kennedy wants to get site back'!"

So let's take a look at the three frontrunners for the Texas 08 Senate election, starting with John Cornyn (http://www.johncornyn.com/). There's a great picture of Cornyn and Bush schmoozing it up. In fact, he'll be supporting the Bush "the troop surge is working, even though I'm going to compare Iraq to Vietnam" rhetoric... See it this Sunday on This Week with George Stephanopoulos.

Next to Mikal Watts' website at (http://www.wattsforsenate.com/). Fairly well designed, nice colors, but the bulk of the website is Mike's video talking about... himself. He really likes noting that he graduated school early.

More from Stuart Rothenberg:

The first half of the four-minute, 15 second video is straightforward enough. Watts introduces himself and talks about his education, his parents, his own family and his interest in public service. He's a trial lawyer, so it's not surprising that he's poised, articulate and polished.

The second half of the video probably is the silliest, most transparent attempt to deliver a message I have ever seen.

Watts wants us to know that he is a "fighter" and a "leader," and he apparently thinks that viewers of his video are a little dense. You'd either have to be in a coma or not understand English to miss Watts' message. The Democratic hopeful uses a form of the word "fight" 11 times in the last two minutes and 15 seconds of the video. And he uses a form of the word "leader" another eight times during that same period.

In one section of the video lasting 37 seconds, Watts uses the word "fighter" six times -- an average of once every 6.17 seconds:

"I have been a fighter my entire career, fighting for the rights of average, working families here in Texas. And I have proven that I will stay in that fight and give it my all until we win. Texans are looking for a Senator who is a leader, who will fight for them. Someone who will fight for families here in Texas rather than special interests there in Washington. I am certain that as we travel around the state and see more and more good Texans, that my message of real leadership and real change in Washington is a message that is going to hit home here in Texas. I am confident that Texans will join me in this fight."

There are plenty of attributes that voters want in their candidates. They certainly want leaders and, at least now, forces for change. I certainly wouldn't criticize Watts or any candidate for mentioning them. It's the way he talks about them that is so aggravating. It sounds as if he thinks he's the first guy to run on those buzzwords.

Now to Rick's website. (http://www.ricknoriega.com/) It isn't quite as polished as the other two, but it has a message. It shows Rick serving our country in Afghanistan, and being sworn in for his 5th term while on active duty outside Kabul. "I wanted my 'family' here in Afghanistan to swear me in," said Noriega. Shortly afterward, he emailed his docunments to Austin, where his wife was able to serve in his absence.

His website shows his dedication to us, his future constitutents, and shows that through his history of service for us in Houston, for Hurricane Katrina, and as he served in Afghanistan. Rick truly is a regular guy, and his website truly reflects that!

Planned Parenthood Party Like a Rock Star! (and Mikal Watts Pro-Life Stance)

(L to R) "Old Elvis" Rick Cofer, deputy campaign manager for Rick Noriega for Texas, and "Asian Elvis" Ramey Ko, chairman for Asian Americans for Obama and volunteer for Rick Noriega, (and unknown) all appear as Elvises for the annual "Party like a Rock Star" Planned Parenthood fundraiser on Saturday held this year at the House of Dereon.

This is in sharp contrast to democratic primary challenger and millionaire San Antonio trial lawyer Mikal Watts, who probably wouldn't only avoid such events, but even told R.G. Ratcliffe “I personally have the view: I hold the pro-life position with three exceptions: one for rape, one for incest, one for the life of the mother.”

Let's see how these compare with others' views from across the political spectrum...

George W. Bush from CNS News: "Bush has clearly stated, on several occasions, that the circumstances when abortion should be allowed are limited to protect the life of the mother, rape or incest."

John McCain on Meet The Press: McCain said he had “come to the conclusion that the exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother are legitimate exceptions” to an outright ban on abortions.

Mitt Romney from AmericansForMitt.com: "Governor Romney has declared that he is pro-life with exceptions for rape, incest, and to save the life of the mother. This position is identical to that of President George W. Bush, the most pro-life president we’ve ever had."

Rudy Giuliani from MediaMatters: "Giuliani's position is that he would not change current law on abortion funding, which prohibits federal funding except in cases of incest, rape, or life endangerment."

I could go on, but I think you get the point. Watts holds the same pro-life position as Bush, McCain, Romney, and Giuliani. We've discovered his PAC making contributions to republican candidates. What else are you hiding Mike?

ADDITION: I almost forgot..
John Cornyn and Greg Abbott from Texas Eagle Forum: "John Cornyn, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, and Judge Greg Abbott, Republican candidate for Texas Attorney General, recently rescinded their opposition to abortion under all circumstances. Cornyn now justifies abortion in cases of rape, incest and to save the life of the mother, while Abbott says consideration should be given to protect a woman's life."

And... thre you have it.

An Open Letter to Mikal Watts

From Hal at Half Empty

An Open Letter to Mikal Watts

Dear Mikal,

I just wanted to let you know that today the Fort Bend Democrats held a very successful fundraiser in the form of our annual garage sale. We received thousands of donated items from Democrats across the county and spent the previous 3 days furiously sorting, pricing and putting them on display for today’s sale.

Shoppers at first trickled in with the dawn, but as the morning progressed we were truly deluged with customers, and later a midsummer rain shower. But never fear, we Democrats learn from our past mistakes and this time held our garage sale indoors with the A/C a-roaring and fans a-blowing and a roof protecting the whole thing. So we stayed cool and dry.

As I say, Democrats learn from our past mistakes. Can anyone spell T-O-N-Y S-A-N-C-H-E-Z?

Anyway, as much as we raked it in, and as many customers who showed up to throw their money at us, we still have lots and lots of good stuff to sell. There just weren’t enough hours in the day to sell all the stuff we have, and at great prices, I might add.

So we decided to close it up and advertise for a repeat event next Saturday.

But you know, we are dead tired. We’ve been working for 4 days straight to get this thing put together and accomplished, and now we are faced with another day this next weekend (Saturday, August 25th 8 AM (hopefully, this time) to 3 PM). We’re tired and could use a little help. So here is what I am going to propose. How about getting that checkbook of yours out and writing a check to the Fort Bend Democrats, a check for . . . say . . . 10 large? If you do that then what we will do is take the whole kit and caboodle of highly saleable goods down to the Fort Bend Women’s Center, who maintains a thrift store to help fund their Women’s Shelter. It’s a Win-Win-Win situation. You’d be doing us a favor, you’d be doing the battered and abused women of Fort Bend County a favor, and you’d put a feather in the cap of your campaign. It would be worth some ink in the local press, don’t you think?

I’ll bet it would get more notice than buying roast beef lunches for Democrats in Victoria.

By the way, and as an aside. Strong hint for the future, to save cash: Democrats will gladly accept a tepid hot dog on a white bread bun slathered with mustard and relish. You don’t have to go overboard with them. Democrats think a hot roast beef lunch is more appropriate for a wake.

AP Says Money is Not an Issue for Watts

According to the Associated Press:

Whatever challenges Democrat Mikal Watts faces as a Texas senatorial hopeful, money isn‘t one of them.

Nor will he need to hitch a ride to make his campaign stops.

A San Antonio-based trial lawyer, Watts announced recently he might run against Sen. John Cornyn. Out came the personal checkbook, and $3.8 million in personal loans and contributions later, he had as much money in his campaign account as the incumbent.

Watts also filed a financial disclosure statement recently that showed he owns two airplanes, a 1976 Westwind jet and a 1979 Cheyenne turboprop.

Mikal Watts' Good Government PAC Funds Republicans!

Although Watts' name only shows up in FEC filings as a Democratic donor (with the exception of a single $1,500 donation to a republican, he does seem to hedge his bets, with donations to the committees for Obama, Edwards, Richardson, and Biden so far), it seems that a little more research reveals over $1 million in contrubitions the Good Government Political Action Committee, which is housed in his law firm's Corpus Christi offices.

The Good Govermnent PAC contributed to...

2006
$2,500 to Rep. Toby Goodman, R-Arlington, an ally of Speaker Tom Craddick
$1,000 to Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford,another of Craddick's backers
$10,000 for Rep. Norma Chavez of El Paso, democrat, but Craddick supporter
$10,000 for Rep. Sylvester Turner of Houston
$1,000 to Rep. Kevin Bailey

2005
$15,000 to Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott,($5.6 million in his campaign account).

2004,
$125,000 from Watts to the Good Government PAC
($100,000 of it went to the Hillco Pac., the lobby vehicle that helps keep Craddick in office).

Watts' money apparently already has run U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson out of the race.

Where else is Watts' money going??

Rick, One of US!

Rick Noriega filed papers with the Senate this week in accordance with campaign finance regulartions. This is what they showed...

From the Houston Chronicle:

Democratic State Rep. Rick Noriega reported earning $37,000 from his service in the Texas National Guard — wages he says show he's a regular Texan as he considers a campaign to unseat Republican Sen. John Cornyn in 2008.

Noriega had other income for a total of $175,800 during the past 18 months. But he is stressing his service with the Guard in Afghanistan, during Hurricane Katrina and on the U.S.-Mexico border as he tests whether to become a full-fledged candidate. Noriega is a lieutenant colonel in the Guard.

"As my financial disclosures show, I am a regular Texan, of middle-class means," Noriega said in a statement.

What about possible democratic primary rival Mikal Watts? His reports showed earnings of $40 million with nearly $4 million going towards the primary, and over $6 million for the general election.


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