When following the money is a great way to learn about the candidates.
On Sep 8, 2010, a local TV station had a story about TX District 23 and said that the opponents had much in common with Ciro Rodriguez. When an opponent to the incumbent receives that type on semi-endorsement from a local TV station, I become curious. Like all good voter's I went to the opponents website and there he boasted about a poll that showed him in the lead. As I had never hear of this pollster, I became more curious and started my own "follow the money" investigation.
The opponent has self-funded his own campaign to the tune of $597,000? Ciro - ZERO
The opponent has raised money only the in San Antonio area zip codes? Ciro has raised $44,800 outside of San Antonio area. As District 23 is much larger than San Antonio, why stay in SA, could it be that is where most of the money is? District Map: http://www.govtrack.us/... hint: SA is located in the far right bottom corner of the highlighted district.
This opponent paid the company OnMessage, INC, located in Alexandria Virginia company $128,000 for "messaging" in March / April 2010. In August, 2010, this same company came out with "polling data" that indicated that this opponent is ahead in the poll. This same company has done no other polling in the state of Texas?
The opponent has $1,493,355 in campaign debt? CIRO - $30.00, yep, thirty dollars.
The opponent has used the argument that all of his money is from TX and Ciro's is not. This guy has received money from Mitt Romney's PAC, but I guess that is somehow in-state money? Or that Mitt is now a Texan.
My point is pretty simple, if you follow the money and it will tell you about the candidate. If you are concerned that legislator's are all about the money and what it can buy them, then the opponent has shown his hand. He is willing to spend his own money and go into debt to buy this election.
Ciro has signed a "pledge" (not a blood oath as some GOP legislators / groups are demanding) to repeal Citizen's United and to curb the use of the revolving door between legislator's, their staff, etc and the lobbying community.
Those are just the facts, unvarnished and true. When comparing the financial donations, Ciro has raised $1,147,016 via donations during this election cycle (including the $86K from outside TX). His opponent has raised $992,933. If you exclude the self funding dollars, contributions drop to $395,383.
Think about what this means, IMO, it means that District 23 voters are sending a very strong message of support to Ciro.
This demonstrates what some candidates will do to buy an elections in a rather obscure district, like TX District 23.
IMO, this not what District 23 needs. District 23 voter's want real transparency not the faux transparency that Ciro's opponent is trying to use. Sorry, Transparency is not a one-way mirror
District 23 voter's MUST recognize the opponent's half truths and continue to support and vote for Ciro Rodriguez in November, 2010.
This is from me, an individual TX District 23 voter. I am not paid by any campaign. All information was obtained via Open Secrets and FEC.gov on the same day (9/21/10).