I live in the heart of Red Texas. I know that we can't carry it for Obama, much as I would like to and much as we still try. But maybe, just maybe, we can send a Democratic Senator to help with the changes we so desperately need in Washington. I've written diaries in the past, but this is my first diary begging for others to do what they can for a particular Democratic candidate.
I first really learned about state representative Rick Noriega at the Texas State Democratic Convention when the Democratic party played a fairly long video about him. Before that time, I had been too focused on the Democratic primary fight to pay attention to the senatorial race. But, I have been very disappointed in our current U.S. Senator John Cornyn. Even for a Republican, he's BAD. By that, I mean that he has been such a lapdog for W that you can predict what will come out of his mouth and how he will vote just by listening to W. Not to put too gross a point on it, but one of my husband's "cleaner" descriptions of Sen. Cornyn's behavior is that W's hand is clearly up the puppet Cornyn's ass.
So, I was going to vote for any Democrat over Cornyn. But, even though Rick Noriega became the Democratic candidate when other, better-known Texas Democrats were unwilling to take on a sitting Republican senator, Rick Noriega is more than just the lesser of two evils. His campaign page, with his background and qualifications is here: http://www.ricknoriega.com/... You can read the facts there in a better form than I can express them. But, I want to add a couple of personal tidbits about what we see on the ground here in Texas about Rick Noriega.
When Rick went to serve his stint this year in the National Guard (he's a veteran of Afghanistan), his wife Melissa circulated emails to "fill Rick's boots." She took over the campaigning and fund-raising in his absence. At the state convention, she spoke about her husband and his abilities. I wasn't able to make her talk because of duties with the Obama campaign, but a friend of mine (a Clinton supporter) went to the talk and was so impressed with Melissa Noriega that she had to tell me about her. Melissa isn't a trophy wife. She isn't a clothes horse. But, she speaks honestly and directly. She connects with other women. That night, after the convention ended for the night, my friend got on the elevator in the hotel and found herself with Rick and Melissa Noriega. Melissa was slumped against the wall of the elevator, eyes closed, totally exhausted from the day. My friend debated saying anything to disturb them. Finally, she just told them that she appreciated them both and that she had really enjoyed Melissa Noriega's talk. What really impressed my friend was that Melissa Noriega didn't go into some false campaigning mode. Instead, Mrs. Noriega, without opening her eyes, gave a very tired smile and thanked my friend.
That's the kind of uphill, personal, grinding campaign that Rick and Melissa Noriega have been running. They are working their hearts out. They have a huge state to cover and not enough funds, even though Rick did win Barbara Boxer's Pick a Challenger contest for some assistance.
Our county is rural, solidly Republican. But Rick Noriega has been here, personally, to speak to our Democratic Club. Last month one of his friends came back. Again, this campaign is personal. Although the speaker had a long history in politics, including organizing farm workers in California, but he was not talking any slick, packaged outside adviser. The speaker was a Hispanic activist, about Rick's age, who has known Rick for years. Like many of Rick's supporters and campaign workers, the speaker at our event had grown up poor. He left high school before he graduated - although he later managed to fill in the educational gaps. Like so many of Rick's supporters, he rallied around when he heard that Rick was running for the Senate. We literally passed the hat for him. He's driving around the state to speak at little Democratic gatherings like ours.
Other campaigners for Rick are his comrades from the military. They repeat in their talks that they trust Rick to protect their backs and that Texans can trust him. The personal quality of the stories about Rick from those speaking on his behalf, and their obvious trust in the man, are very, very impressive.
I had thought that Rick Noriega didn't have a chance. The gap between him and Cornyn was too large for most of the summer. But, the latest polls show it closing up. KOS's latest poll shows the gap down to 6%. http://www.dailykos.com/... The Clintons are campaigning for Rick - and that has the potential to bring out the voters needed.
I just sent my first contribution to the Noriega campaign. I feel guilty that I didn't focus on this race sooner, but I'm going to try to make up for it now. We probably can't deliver Texas' electoral votes for Sen. Obama, but maybe we can send him a new Sen. Noriega to help in Washington.
I know that there are lots of senate races, lots of places to put your money now. But, I hope that you will consider Rick Noriega. As a Texan Democrat, I do not concede that W is a Texan. He was born in Connecticut and went back East to prep school and college. But, just think of the lovely prospect of defeating one of W's most devoted lapdogs from his so-called home state of Texas.