I like Noriega, I like Watts, and I won't pick a candidate until after I know who's running, but

[Czolgosz]

let's retire the right-wing talking point about "trial lawyers" being the boogieman.

The days when Republicans can win an election by smearing a candidate as a "trial lawyer" are over.

18 "trial lawyers" ran for Congress in 2006. 14 of them won.

Here is one case study:

During his recent campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in Iowa's First Congressional District, {former president of the Iowa Trial Lawyers Association} Bruce Braley frequently found himself vilified as a "trial lawyer's trial lawyer" by the National Republican Congressional Committee and the corporate special-interest groups that spent heavily on advertising against him.... Proponents of civil justice restrictions in Iowa and across the nation thought they had a magic formula to help them defeat Braley and other supporters of the civil justice system last November: Just shout "trial lawyer" from the rooftops, blame attorneys for everything from high medical costs to economic angst... But they were in for a surprise. The voters of eastern Iowa elected Braley over Republican Jack Whalen by a 12-point margin, making him the first Democrat to hold the seat in 30 years.

...

{A} post-election poll to explore the impact that these attacks had on the electorate and to determine how voters responded to Braley's background as a trial lawyer. ... The poll showed that 84 percent of voters in Iowa's First Congressional District knew about Braley's work as a trial lawyer--a high level of recognition. Of those who said they knew the most about his profession, Braley received the support of 56 percent to Whalen's 42 percent. These respondents "were more likely than other voters to say they felt strongly that he was the best choice in the race," Garin reported.... The poll showed that the majority of voters supported Braley over his opponent on issues that usually form the basis for attacks against trial attorneys and pro-justice candidates, such as the false allegation that soaring health care costs are attributable to "frivolous" lawsuits. ... Voters preferred the candidate who emphasizes protecting the legal rights of average Americans over the candidate who stresses the need for tort "reform" by 54 percent to 31 percent.

There's an important lesson to be taken from Braley's victory and the 2006 elections as a whole. While opponents of trial attorneys and the civil justice system spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to get their way, the results showed there is far less power in their attacks than is often suspected.

In the 2006 elections, in the country's top 100 media markets, proponents of civil justice restrictions--the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Medical Association, and others--spent almost $11 million to attack trial lawyers running for office and other candidates who support justice. But proponents of justice overwhelmingly prevailed on Election Day.

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Turning+the+tables-a0161024343

In the most recent races for the Texas Legislature, Allen Vaught beat Bill Keffer, Juan Garcia beat Gene Seaman, Joe Heflin beat Jim Landtroop, Carlos Uresti beat Frank Madla, David Leibowitz beat Ted Kenyon, and Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles beat Michael Esparza. What do all of these races have in common? In each race, the loser tried to smear the winner as a "trial lawyer" candidate.

Let's put this right-wing talking point to pasture.

[Anton Haley]

1. Let us look at this as a team and....

we are the coaches, each of us particular to our own discipline. Everybody wants to handle the ball but not everybody can make touchdowns. So we grade our athletes as they demonstrate their skills in spring training. Some are more talented than others. Decisions are made that can hurt feelings but they are best for the team. There is no I in team. Quarterbacks, there can be only one starter, running backs are alternated as are receivers. Defensive backs and linebackers get to hit hard, intercept passes and sack the quarterback. Linemen enjoy blowing holes wide open, while trains drive through them and defensive linemen are just the meanest animals on the team; they enjoy defeating two and three men at one time while their team mates are freed to tackle the runner.

So as coaches we need to recognize the attributes and put them where they will be the most successful as a team player.

In doing this we must challenge the athletes to compete for the position they want most and a couple of other positions they can play.

A long time ago the top vote getter was the president and the second most vote getter the vice president. In a spring training we as coaches should encourage our athletes, expect their responsiveness and determine their "coachability". Find a place for all who throw their hat in as per the vote they earn.

Now, if that ain't Utopia then, "there ain't a cow in Texas".

Let's start installing that new infrastructure!

[sonias]

4. Welcome to DU Anton Haley!

:hi:

Now let's get back to the discussion, or was that getting back to "the game"?

Sonia

[Anton Haley]

8. Hey Sonia, we have met before,....

back when I was hunting communist.

[johncoby2]

2. How many trial lawyers won in Texas?

Trial lawyers have been the pinata for the republicans for a decade, ESPECIALLY in Texas.

You got to remember, there are real stupid people in this state and they vote!

I know so many DEMOCRATS who are stupid about trial lawyers.

So, do you put "Trial Lawyer" in the plus column? I dont know.

[Czolgosz]

5. I count "trial lawyers" winning 7 out of 8 in the Texas Lege. Didn't you read the last paragraph?

The last paragraph of the OP says:

In the most recent races for the Texas Legislature, Allen Vaught beat Bill Keffer, Juan Garcia beat Gene Seaman, Joe Heflin beat Jim Landtroop, Carlos Uresti beat Frank Madla, David Leibowitz beat Ted Kenyon, and Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles beat Michael Esparza. What do all of these races have in common? In each race, the loser tried to smear the winner as a "trial lawyer" candidate.

Let's glance at those 8 Texas Legislature races where a candidate was attacked as a "trial lawyer" candidate.

Allen Vaught beat Bill Keffer

Baron's bounty, much of which was routed through his Texas Democratic Trust, helped plaintiff lawyer Allen Vaught defeat conservative stalwart State Representative Bill Keffer in North Dallas.

http://www.txsharkblog.com/2006/11/republicans_must_give_no_quart.html

Juan Garcia beat Gene Seaman

In the most conservative reaches of District 32, Garcia defended himself against Seaman's televised ads calling him a "liberal" and a "trial lawyer," explaining repeatedly that he is a civil defense lawyer.

http://www2.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_5130835,00.html

Joe Heflin beat Jim Landtroop

The 3 p.m. news conference at the Holiday Inn Express also dealt with the TV ad Landtroop is airing in which Heflin is called a liberal Democrat and trial lawyer who has represented murderers, spousal abusers and other heinous criminals.

http://www.mywesttexas.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17411055&BRD=2288&PAG=461&dept_id=475626&rfi=6

Carlos Uresti beat Frank Madla (anti-justice Democrat who attacked Uresti as a trial lawyer in the primary) and then beat Dick Bowen

The Republican and Democratic primary races in Texas House District 4 and state Senate District 19 respectively are cases in point. As the Texans for Lawsuit Reform blows the whistle on trial lawyer support that House Republican challenger Wade Gent has mustered in his bid to oust State Rep. Betty Brown of Terrell in the March 7 primary, TLR has given generously to Democratic State Senator Frank Madla in recent weeks in his fight to keep his seat in the face of a primary challenge from State Rep. Carlos Uresti.

http://www.txsharkblog.com/2006/02/trial_lawyers_send_funds_throu.html

David Leibowitz beat Ted Kenyon

David Leibowitz does not have to worry about cash on hand. He is a multi-million dollar trial lawyer who has self-financed his own campaign. This district is however as close to a toss-up (demographic wise) as you can get in San Antonio.

http://www.burntorangereport.com/archives/2004/07/money_raised_in.html

Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles beat Michael Esparza

Toureilles said no trial lawyer has bought her out and that she stands for Texas doctors and for bringing patient costs down.

http://www.thecountywide.com/newsstory3041013.htm

Kirk Watson beat Robert Howard (Watson has been attacked as a "trial lawyer" in previous races and yet drew only a token opponent)

In mail-outs and public speeches, Republican Greg Abbott has painted Democrat Kirk Watson as a trial lawyer who would be crusading for special interests against business owners and doctors.

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-120575439.html

Unfortunately bucking the trend Dan Barrett lost to incumbent Anna Mowery

The current incumbent will not be beat in that district. A former school teacher, past Republican party chair. She will have 50 members of the Rep. womens club out twice a week. Barrett..read his website, all he has done is trial lawyer stuff, no chamber of commerce, no other cultural involvement, no real volunteer efforts.

I'm the one who said he will raise money to get his name out and hope that in turn helps his law practice...meanwhile he takes up funds and time from other candidates that may have a chance. PS I'm no Mowery fan, I cannot think of one thing she has accomplished while in Austin. That also means she has not pissed anybody off enough to go after her alone.

http://www.offthekuff.com/mt/archives/005915.html

Except in Kirk Watson's and David Leibowitz's races, Texans for Lawsuit Reform financially supported the opponent of the "trial lawyer" candidate. http://txprod.ethics.state.tx.us/public/332089noadd.pdp, http://txprod.ethics.state.tx.us/public/316177noadd.pdp

From my count, the candidates attacked as "trial lawyers" won 7 out of 8 races (5 out of 6 if you don't count Kirk Watson's or David Leibowitz's races where TLR bailed out before giving cash).

[0.5.empty]

9. Coby has that one nailed

I have the greatest respect for trial lawyers. But this is a hot button issue that will not go away, because all they have to do is fan the flames of public opinion. All they have to say is that everything costs more because of the huge awards obtained by trial lawyers for their clients and you incur the righteous wrath of ALL Republicans, who how have a rallying point, and maybe, as Coby points out, the wrath of ill-informed Dems.

Being a trial lawyer who has gotten huge awards for his clients, and being a trial lawyer who has used his contingency fees to fund Democratic (and not-so-Democratic) campaigns, including his own, is Mikal Watts' Achilles Heel.

Republicans are going to use it.Republicans are going to use it.Republicans are going to use it.Republicans are going to use it.Republicans are going to use it.Republicans are going to use it.

I can hold down that paste key forever, but there are some on this list who will never ever own up to this simple observation. I don't know why, but I think it has to do with money. Watts is a darling to Watts-ites because he comes self-funded. You don't get that very often. Fundraising is the hardest thing to do in a campaign. If that job is done you get to spend more time with the fun stuff.

But in this case, money IS the issue - or more to the point, the issue is where it came from.

If Watts wins the primary Cornyn's people are going to beat him around the head with this, people will buy it because they are, as Coby says, stupid, and we're stuck with an unacceptable Senator for 6 more years.

[TexasLinda]

10. It's isn't so much that Watts is a trial lawyer

but that he hasn't been anything else. Yes, Juan Garcia is a lawyer, but he's also a Navy pilot who's still pulling reserve duty. Add that to the legislative experience he's getting in the Texas House and you've got a strong candidate.

[Tejanocrat]

11. Given a choice between a trial lawyer and a candidate backed by Bob Perry, Texans for Lawsuit Reform

and Dick Weekley, I think you may be underestimating how many people don't buy into the anti-justice corporate agenda.

Moreover, some of us Democrats are still not ready to forget Bob Perry's "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" campaign against John Kerry (Bob Perry was the primary funder of the Swift Boat scum who he gave $4.5 million -- source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/16/AR2007031601987.html). Someone please tell me I'm not the only one who hasn't forgotten this!

This same Bob Perry is Melissa and Rick Noriega's BIGGEST supporter according to the Houston Chronicle:

Noriega raised more than $109,000 in the past month — $20,000 of it from Houston homebuilder Bob Perry and his family.... Her largest contributors were the Perry family. Bob Perry, his wife, Doylene, their son Jack and his wife, Stefani, gave Noriega $20,000.

source: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/4884815.html, other sources: http://txprod.ethics.state.tx.us/public/332338noadd.pdp, http://txprod.ethics.state.tx.us/public/317878noadd.pdp

Noriega is an honorable veteran -- I know this. I really need to hear someone who knows Noriega explain to me how a veteran can stand arm-in-arm with the slimeball who gave birth to the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth." Again, am I crazy and completely alone in wanting answers about this relationship?

Here we are 8 months before the primary, and I am worried about Watts's view on abortion and also worried about Noriega's ties to Bob "Swift Boat" Perry.

I want more answers from both candidates before I make a choice.

If you can discount the Noriega-Perry relationship, I like Rick Noriega in the same way I like Barak Obama.

I find myself wanting to root for both Noriega and Obama, but I want more information about their views of key issues. Also, part of me questions if the factors which draw me to Noriega and Obama might also make their road to victory tougher.

Take Obama. I truly respect his opposition to the death penalty and his principled stand in favor of gun control. I support these views too, and I respect Obama for standing by his principles, but I wonder if a candidate with those views can carry Texas.

With Noriega, the main legislation I associate with him is the (great) law to extend in-state college tuition rates to some undocumented families. I support this law very strongly, and I respect Noriega very much for standing by his principles, but I wonder if a candidate with that as his keystone legislative accomplishment doesn't have a tougher road to victory in Texas.

I like Noriega and mainly agree with him on the major issues where I understand Noriega's position, but I can see Cornyn making immigration THE BIGGEST ISSUE if Noriega runs. Is this an issue we win in Texas? God, I hope so, but I'm not sure.

Also, I love the idea of a candidate who served our country bravely in Afghanistan like Noriega did. Does anyone know Noriega's views on the Iraq war? Is he for bring the troops home now, for strategic re-deployment in the region, for seeing the surge through to the end, or for some other view? A veteran like Noriega must have strong views on what we need to do next, but I can't find his views on this topic which is, for me, a bigger issue than immigration or "trial lawyers" versus "tort reformers."

Can anyone educate me on Noriega's views on the war? Knowing Noriega's views on the war would give me something else to balance against my discomfort about the Noriega-Perry connection.

[susanr516]

12. State legislatures

don't handle war issues per se, so I would not be surprised to find that there's little out there on Noriega's opinion of the current Iraq war and the war on terror. However, I'm willing to bet Noriega has a pretty good idea about the problems our active and reserve military face each day, and I'm also betting he has a real understanding of veterans' issues.

I hope Watts has some position papers available soon on a variety of issues.

[Czolgosz]

15. No, you're not alone, but I ask that you not judge a potential candidate who hasn't even decided if

he's going to run or not until the candidates (all the candidates) get a chance to get their messages out.

For a change, let's have the trial before the circular firing squad this time.

Please?

[0.5.empty]

19. Bob Perry? Why stop there?

Melissa Noriega's campaign fund also includes donations from the AT&T Texas PAC, the Reliant Energy Inc PAC and the CenterPoint Energy PAC. Taking money from Republican kingmakers/swiftboaters and corporations doesn't reflect on the candidate. Republican and corporate PAC money spends just as well as anyone else's. That Bob Perry and his family gave money to Melissa Noriega's campaign and NOT to Roy "Boy" Morales' campaign speaks volumes for whom Perry thought was going to win the race. Spending money for influence never implies buying influence unless the candidate is dishonorable which is what you seem to be implying. Implying that tells me that you know absolutely nothing about Melissa Noriega.

Implying that Rick and Melissa Noriega support swiftboating - that Rick stands "arm-in-arm with the slimeball who gave birth to the 'Swift Boat Veterans for Truth,'" because Melissa's campaign accepted a political contribution from Bob Perry is downright idiotic.

[Tejanocrat]

20. You and Coby win. You've convinced me to put my money in the Senate race in New Hampshire instead of

Texas (if Gov. Jeanne Shaheen runs).

Here is a Top Five List of Senate Races where we can all spend our money and we will be less likely to get our hearts broken, more likely to back a successful Democrat, more likely have a real affect of the balance of power in the Senate, and -- most importantly -- we will be less likely to have someone call us an idiot for asking a perfectly reasonable question about a candidate's close financial campaign ties to Bob "Swift Boat" Perry:

1. Colorado: The race between former Rep. Bob Schaffer (R) and Rep. Mark Udall (D) is a likely Democrat pick up.

2. New Hampshire: If former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D) runs against Sen. John Sununu (R), it's another likely Democrat pick up.

3. Maine: Rep. Tom Allen (D) versus Sen. Susan Collins (R) may be this cycle's Lincoln Chafee versus Sheldon Whitehouse. Another excellent shot at a Democratic pick up.

4. Minnesota: Sen. Norm Coleman's (R) may face both a primary challenge from Lt. Col. Joe Repya (R) and then face Al Franken (D) or Mike Ciresi (D). I like this one because Coleman is such a tool and because I like Franklin. A good hope for a pick up.

5. Nebraska: I bet Sen. Chuck Hagel (R) won't seek re-election so the race will probably be between Jon Bruning (R) versus Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey (D) which is a real possibility for turning a very red state blue.

Read more here: http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2007/06/friday_senate_line_2.html

Besides, I guess only a downright idiot like me would try to make an issue about who Bob "Swift Boat" Perry exchanges campaign mordita with. Here are some other "idiots" like me who think it is worth looking at who else "Swift Boat" Perry gives his money to:

http://www.burntorangereport.com/showDiary.do;jsessionid=145BC92193094BFD1F6159F195E407F9?diaryId=2326

http://bayareahouston.blogspot.com/2006/07/bob-perrys-donations-for-2006-list.html

http://muse-musings.blogspot.com/2006/12/spending-campaign-cash-rep-eddie-lucio.html

http://halfempth.blogspot.com/2007/05/melissa-monday-recap-and-comment-goes.html

Seriously, thanks for saving me from any desire whatsoever to get involved in the Texas Senate race.

[0.5.empty]

28. I'd go for it if I wanted to fund a winning Senate race, but

before doing that, I'd take a long look at Rick "Swift Boat" Noriega. Just wait, OK,it won't be too long in the scheme of things, for Rick to announce one way or the other. Mikal Watts would be a great candidate were it not for his obvious flaws that will be fodder for Republican artillery. Noriega doesn't have any of the baggage that Watts has. None. If Dems want to fault the Noriega family for taking Perry money, then that's their problem. Repubican money spends against Republicans just as well as Democrat money does. That issue will not be an issue at all against Cornyn. In fact, I predict that people will be asking where is the Perry money for Cornyn? Perry backs winners, not box turtles.

And Perry money spends just okey dokey. Especially if it is not given to Republicans.

[Baby Snooks]

32. But it doesn't represent Democratic interests

"Republican and corporate PAC money spends just as well as anyone else's."

But Republican money doesn't represent Democratic interests. And that is what's wrong with it. This has become an issue finally as indicated by Barack Obama's returning contributions from lobbyists.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070413obama-lobbyists,1,108302.story

Did Melissa Noriega really need the money from Bob Perry?

If Bob Perry made the contributions as you claim because he wanted to try to "buy" an "in" with the winner then that should have indicated that she didn't need the money and she should have returned it.

[johncoby2]

17. Worst yet, we will have a Fred Head candidate.

With little support from the base. Not much to get excited about there folks, unless you are not depending upon support from your troops on the ground. Although in this case, he can just buy them.

[sonias]

3. I like trial lawyers

Most people would. They defend regular people like us against heartless corporations for the most part.

I had no idea all of those Texas State Representatives were trial lawyers except Juan. Wow!

Sonia

[johncoby2]

6. Sorry, I thought you were talking on the Federal level.

I agree with Sonia.

[Czolgosz]

7. On the federal level, the "trial lawyer" candidates included

Bruce Braley in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District,

Ron Klein in Florida’s 22nd Congressional District,

Michael Arcuri in New York’s 24th Congressional District, and

Zack Space in Ohio’s 18th Congressional District.

http://www.atla.org/pressroom/PressReleases/2006/nov8.aspx

I don't recall that any of the federal "trial lawyer" candidates from 2006 were from Texas.

[johncoby2]

13. Which is significant.

"I don't recall that any of the federal "trial lawyer" candidates from 2006 were from Texas."

This is Texas home of the lawsuit abuse frenzy MOST especially in the southern part of Texas where the tort reformers convinced them that OBGYNs couldnt "practice their love for women" because they were getting sued too much.

Mikal should know that. It happened in his area.

Believe me, I KNOW that tort reform is a myth, but I doubt seriously if the majority of voters do.

I still dont think this is plus in his resume.

Personally, he should be Noriega's financial manager. Noriega with Mikals money is a winner. Mikal with his money is a chance.

[Czolgosz]

14. Juan Garcia won in a Repub S. TX district despite "trial lawyer" attacks. Carlos Uresti beat Madla

in S. TX despite Madla's "trial lawyer" attacks on Uresti. Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles has now won in S. Tx twice despite "trial lawyer" attacks.

If you want to spread a Perry-Weekley-TLR anti-justice defeatist meme despite facts to the contrary, we'll just have to agree to disagree.

We can agree that Noriega ought to win handily if he had Watts's money and the grassroots coordination which can be build with that kind of financial support. We can probably also agree that Watts would win easily if he had Noriega's record of service in Afghanistan.

The truth is Noriega doesn't have Watts's money, and Watts doesn't have Noriega's record of military service. Instead, we will have a choice of

(1) Watts with his experience as a consumer rights activist and as a supporter of many Democratic campaigns and as an organizer of a very successful grassroots campaign in connection with Juan Garcia,

(2) If he runs, Noriega with funds that are more in the range of Barbara Radnofsky's funds (I think the Noriegas could probably beat Radnofsky's fund-raising by as much as one third, but then they would have to divide those funds between Melissa's re-election campaign and any campaign Rick might launch), and

(3) Emil Reichstadt, who I know almost nothing about.

Leaving Emil out of the equation for now (because I don't know anything about him and shouldn't comment until I learn more), I think we can with with Watts or - if he runs - Noriega.

Noriega's netroots will benefit him the same way it benefited David Van Os and Barbara Radnofsky (but it will benefit Noriega even more so): it is the fuel that can feed a fire and it can make up for a lack of cash for television ads and direct mail pieces and grassroots coordination. Plus, Cornyn is weaker than Abbot (who beat Van Os) and Hutchison (who beat Radnofsky). I think we can win with Noriega.

I also think we can win with Watts who has done something that past candidates haven't: Watts has gotten the Democratic National Party interested in his campaign. Plus, the support Watts gave to Juan Garcia's campaign was the coordination and backing of a door-to-door effort that got new Democratic voters registered, boosted enthusiasm of current Democrats who voted at higher rates than in recent past elections, and flipped many swing voters (which is how Juan Garcia won in a heavily Republican district despite the best efforts of Perry-Weekley-TLR to keep their man Seaman in office). I'd love to see a statewide general election campaign on this model, and I think Watts can win with this proven model.

[johncoby2]

16. You know the more you repeat it, the more I dislike Mikal.

EOM.

[Tejanocrat]

18. Yee haw! Let the Democrat-on-Democrat Swift Boating begin ...

You guys can begin the smear campaign whenever you want but I'll wait until we know who's running and what their actual positions on important issues are.

I would not have thought anyone could do it at this early stage, but Coby is making an excellent argument in favor of Emil Reichstadt who is ALSO a veteran but who does not have to explain away either his pro-life views OR his strong financial ties to Bob "Swift Boat" Perry:

Meet Emil E. Reichstadt

... Emil Reichstadt is declaring for the Texas 2008 U.S. Senate race Thursday, April 19, on the Southern Methodist University campus in Dallas.... Reichstadt, a former Army JAG officer, believes in a strong military. "We need to foster our leaders in the military as subject-matter experts and rely on their expertise," he says. "We cannot wallow in military policies of politics; we must let our soldiers protect themselves. We are mired in sinking sand in Iraq, in the middle of a civil war that our best military minds sought to avoid. The war has been terribly mismanaged, and the incumbent, John Cornyn, has stood by and blindly supported that mismanagement." Congress also needs to focus more intensely on a myriad of environmental issues, especially the control of Co2 emissions, Reichstadt says....

Since earning a law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1977, Reichstadt has handled a wide range of legal challenges. He was commissioned in the Army and served as captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps., personally trying more than 100 cases while stationed in Frankfurt, Germany, from 1978 to 1981, and was then assigned Chief of Legal Assistance with the 3rd Armored Division, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, providing legal services to soldiers and their families in Frankfurt, from 1982 to 1983.

When he returned to Dallas from his tour of duty, he worked as General Counsel for Continental Mortgage, in real estate and corporate law, from 1983 to 1985, before starting his own private practice in 1985.

http://www.beachhouse-living.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=69&Itemid=84

Thanks, Coby, for inspiring me to do a little research on Reichstadt!

[TexasLinda]

21. Look at the whole package.

As a veteran I would never vote for somebody just because they had military service, and I don't believe John Coby suggested that. If Reichstadt is anti-choice and has "strong financial ties to Bob "Swift Boat" Perry" I would not vote for him. Military service is just one of the reasons I like Rick Noriega. He's also been a teacher and has legislative experience. Call me crazy, but for a position as important as U.S. Senator I want somebody with proven competence and a public service track record. Running for city council or the Texas House might be beneath someone with Watt's money, but I'm not willing to vote for an unknown who can't back up his consultant and poll crafted words with a public service track record.

[Tejanocrat]

22. Have you done any research about Reichstadt? I've gone from leaning toward Noriega to praying that

Reichstadt is a good candidate.

Do you know where Noriega, Watts, and Reichstadt stand on these issues:

1. What are the candidates' proposals for our immediate next steps in Iraq?

2. What are the candidates' proposals for improving access to health care?

3. What are the candidates' proposals getting Texas' worst-in-the-nation industrial pollution levels under control and cleaned up?

4. What are the candidates' proposals for dealing with immigration and securing the border (because if we don't get out front on this issue, the crazy bastards like Cornyn and Tom "Build-a-Wall" Tancredo are going to)?

5. What are the candidates' proposals for making sure that the Texas coast is not ground zero for the next Katrina?

I could think of a 100 other issues given time, but here are some pretty key issues which I would surely like answers about. I'd surely like to know where Noriega, Watts, and Reichstadt stand on these issues before I'm asked to get behind one of them and against the others.

Can anyone tell me where Noriega, Watts, and Reichstadt stand on these issues?

Is everyone who is pushing for Watts or trying to draft Noriega lining behind their favorite candidate without even asking these questions?

[johncoby2]

23. Damn. Who is Reichstadt?

[Tejanocrat]

27. A veteran who's running for Senate without demanding a red carpet and coronation/draft movement

[TexasLinda]

29. I don't agree with your implication

that Rick Noriega is "demanding a red carpet and coronation/draft movement", but I do agree that we now have two potential candidates who would be better than Mikal Watts. Juan Garcia would also be a better candidate. Heck, his wife Denise (Harvard law, mother, and Navy wife) would be a better candidate than Watts.

I believe somebody in another thread posted that Reichstadt was anti-choice. Is this correct?

[Tejanocrat]

31. I can't find anying on on Reichstadt's views on abortion.

[susanr516]

24. Thought you had given up on Texas

back in comment 20.

[Tejanocrat]

26. That's my money (and only if Shaheen runs) and only in the Senate race. I still vote in Texas.

[susanr516]

33. My apologies

Thanks for clarifying.

[johncoby2]

25. Emil

[TexasLinda]

30. Juan Garcia was more than a trial lawyer.

He was a Navy man in a Navy town. Lots of retired military out on North Padre Island and up the coast. Besides, Seaman was an ass and I knew a lot of Republicans who couldn't stand him. Then there was the whole thing with the condo in Austin and his wife taking a homestead exemption on it and their main home at the same time. I suspect most of Seaman's votes were straight party votes, rather than from people specifically choosing the slime ball.

[Stop Cornyn]

34. One friendly request. Please run the draft Rick effort in a manner that doesn't alienate Democrats.

[Anton Haley]

35. Just think.......

If Mikal had not announced this endeavor

and WATT would be the buzz?

It is obvious he has "engaged the average citizen" and the Democratic Party is already a little stronger. The negative stuff people say about Watts won't hurt him. Go back to Cornyn, we will be addressing his confession of error. And his previous JOBS.

Somebody call him and tell him we gonna be dropping our Paper in his neighborhood with a fresh face and some invigorating innovation.

Go research & hammer cornyn, I know that is boring, go research him see how he screws the little people see how the courts are designed to favor money and the criminal courts are the money makers, the Prison Board and Lobby and the Funeralgate Board and lobby. Do some homework on the guy we for sure want to evict.

You wont sink Mikal like that, any press is good press.