Rep. Joaquin Castro Hosts Campaign Kickoff Event at Juan in a Million

Joaquin's kickoff (4.00 / 3)

I'd say closer to 200 people; I tried counting but like fish in a bowl . . .

What was most notable was the enthusiasm, the attentiveness, the lack of fidgeting while Joaquin spoke - in the middle of 105F heat. There's a chemistry there; Joaquin is the round Mestizo face of the people to be represented. He's the story grandmothers and parents tell their children - work hard in school, go to college and you can be anyone, you can change the world. The vibe and the buzz filled the air. You don't feel that Austin, though I remember it during the Obama campaign.

Despite periodic differences with Congressman Doggett, I've voted for him in nearly every election for almost 30 years. Joaquin (and his brother the mayor of San Antonio) are what Lloyd, Peck, Ed and others organized and fought for all these years - the rights of minorities to be represented, to participate and to prosper. Though I support legal challenges against the R gerrymandering that'll leave Travis County without its own congressional district, Joaquin can make lemonade out of lemons. Let's embrace a new Hispanic Congressional district with a new Hispanic leader, a man likely to help turn Texas blue by engaging and inspiring younger and Hispanic voters.

Lloyd is a fighter, never to be underestimated. With his war chest and his solid fiscal credentials, I believe he can win CD-25 (his current district and where he currently resides; in which I live too), maybe even CD-10 (Mike McCaul). Why not unleash the power of Lloyd and D supporters/organizers on keeping CD-25 or turning CD-10 Democratic?

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by: EugeneS @ Fri Jul 08, 2011 at 19:57:46 PM UTC

meant to write: you don't feel that often, though I remember it during the Obama campaign . (2.00 / 1)

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by: EugeneS @ Fri Jul 08, 2011 at 19:59:15 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

He may be a nice guy and a good leader (3.00 / 1)

but there's no way I'd take the side that will leaving Austin effectively without any representation of our own and play along with Republican efforts to disenfranchise us.

We deserve to have a Democratic congressman much more than San Antonio deserves to have 3.

"I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually."- James A. Baldwin

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by: Timothy @ Sat Jul 09, 2011 at 01:48:28 AM UTC

Castro's run (0.00 / 0)

I don't live in the district, but have always called on Lloyd because McCaul ignores you unless you are a Repub.  Castro should run against Canseco.  Then we would have one more Democrat in the House.  Why are we taking out good Democrats?  To quote Ann McAfee - we are very good at circling the wagons and shooting at each other!  We need to stop that and shoot out side of the circle!

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by: dbmc @ Sat Jul 09, 2011 at 02:50:32 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

We Need Lloyd (1.00 / 1)

I am a proud Filipino American Democrat.  And honestly, I could care less if a candidate looks more like me.  I want that candidate to represent me with respect and hold the office with honor and integrity.  Juaqin Castro fraudulently posing as his twin brother during a City Council event, and being caught in the act, hardly makes me want to throw Doggett under the bus, simply because he is white.  I vote on values and issues.  The two candidates may not be far apart on the issues, but they are worlds apart on integrity.  My vote is for Lloyd, and I will rally as many of my Asian American brothers in sisters to vote with me.

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by: AustinFilipino @ Mon Jul 11, 2011 at 22:24:23 PM UTC