Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Rick Noriega and Gen. Wesley Clark speak to Dallas Dems on Wednesday (w/audio)

By Erin Rice

Wednesday night at the Westin Galleria Hotel in Dallas was perhaps not a scene any local Texans would have predicted 10 or so years ago. It came less than two years after Dallas County Democrats swept 42 judicial races. It came a few months after thousands of North Texans waited in long lines, more than once, to hear a future Democratic presidential nominee speak. It came at a time when a Latino Democrat has the potential to unseat an incumbent Republican senator in the Lone Star State.

Wednesday's Rick Noriega fundraising dinner brought in around 500-600 locals, looking not only to contribute money to the campaign (at $200 a head to attend), but to listen to Noriega, General Wesley Clark, Texas House Representative Rafael Anchia, and others speak about the challenges ahead. And speak they did, to a friendly, well-wishing crowd of the local, liberal well-to-do. Nothing said tonight was particularly surprising, as the issues were broached less for the purpose of changing minds, and more for rallying open checkbooks.

Still, the evening was interesting one. Coming off of national attention for what some media outlets (if not most) deemed controversial statements regarding John McCain's presidential qualifications, General Wesley Clark was the night's featured guest speaker. The retired four-star general and former NATO supreme allied commander stepped up the podium, immediately relating his knowledge of Texas to the room, taking time to make jokes here and there about possible Fox News correspondents in the midst.

General Wesley Clark

His speech was what one might expect from the outspoken general, detailing the failing economy and failing war (according to some... many... the majority). Despite uproarious support throughout, when he said, "Isn't that guy, George Bush, going back to Texas?" the crowd seemed more insulted than anything else. Bouncing back, Gen. Clark reminded the room that they couldn't be held responsible for all Texas residents.

After a video, Senate challenger and current Texas House Representative Rick Noriega stepped up to the mic, talking about the path Texas and the country have been on under leaders like incumbent Senator John Cornyn and President Bush. The Houston native thanked, at length, everyone responsible for the night, getting to the meat of his speech nearly four minutes in. He proceeded with a story about a five year-old-boy (hint: it's him) seeing President Kennedy's motorcade in person. His defining, Bill Clinton moment? Perhaps.

His speech promised a future of catchy one-liners we might see on campaign commercials or in news coverage soon. In one he noted that some U.S. leaders look at the Constitution and see the first line as "me the people." In another he said, "I believe that the Lone Star of Texas can be the north star on the American horizon, pointing us toward the path of prosperity, peace, and our common destination."

ricknoriega.com

Rick Noriega

As the program continued, Melissa Noriega, wife and stand-in Texas legislator while Rick Noriega served a year in Afghanistan, spoke largely about how her husband was "a good man." Following her short speech, Rep. Rafael Anchia took hold of the mic. A rousing speech, which included several "hell yeah's," reached its climax when he released the following gem to address the concern that Texas Latinos are leaving the Democrats for Republicans:

"Latinos aren't going to vote for John Cornyn. You don't have to worry about that. He's like the bully in school that called the girl 'fat, ugly, and stupid' and then asked her to the prom. It's just not going to happen."

As the speeches ended, and the hungry Dems were finally promised dinner around 9 p.m., I couldn't help but wonder: Will this all be enough? Is the political climate such that a Democrat could beat a Republican incumbent senator in Texas? Can Rick Noriega ever, ever come up with a campaign commercial to rival Big Bad John's? Can it, too, get on the Daily Show? Clearly, he's got an uphill battle ahead of him.

Related stories

• Pegasus News Week in View: Next Generation Edition (July 17, 2008)

See more stories in:

• Politics and Government > National > Federal Elections > Congress > Local Delegation

Comments

Catherine Cuellar Verified

Not to mention that Cornyn has 10 times as much money as Noriega.

2 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Robert Kelly Verified

Well that is because George Bush Sr. took all his money when he invaded Panama in 89.

2 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

John McClelland Verified

Actually 20 years ago the scene probably would have been more likely considering Texas was Democratic.

We need to remember Texas being overwhelmingly Republican is only a recent phenomenon, and one we need to end. The damage done by the GOP and John "Box Turtle" Cornyn is horrific.

I've met Rick Noriega and have a great deal of respect for him and believe he would make a great Senator for Texas.

2 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Erin Rice Staff

You are right, John, 20 years ago today we had a Democratic governor (whose term was flanked by Republicans) and a one each of a Democratic and Republican U.S. senator. To say 20 years might have been going back too far in that respect.

But I was also trying to make the point that such a high office in this state could be held not only by a Democrat, but by a Latino. Looking back at the entire history of statewide elected offices, I don't see a single Latino name. Granted, I stopped at U.S. Senators and Governors. Please do correct me if I'm wrong.

I may not have made my point completely clear. I'll amend my first line so as not to be confusing.

2 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

xdavidwattsx Anonymous

Texas may have been Democratic for 150 years but they were Reagan style Democrats at best. Texas has always been conservative and independent, it's just that the Democratic party of yesteryear was more closely aligned with modern day Republican ideals.

2 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

John McClelland Verified

Ok, if you were going for the Latino angle, then you're right.

2 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Erin Rice Staff

Yes, I was speaking more to all the factors involved. I could have framed it better.

I will say, John, that I agree with your assessment of Rick Noriega. He seems to have all the right qualifications, even the service abroad that many people think is a requisite for leading. His speech was fairly moving. I look forward to hearing more from him to learn what specifically he plans to do in office to address the issues Texans are facing today.

I was also impressed with Rep. Rafael Anchia, who only spoke for a few minutes. At one point he reminded the group that electing Noriega would not just be for the people in the room, not just for Democrats, but for all Texans. Sitting in a posh ballroom amid mostly wealthy Democrats, it was a good reminder of what's important.

2 months, 3 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )