The Houston Chronicle is hitting them out of the park. For the first time since 1964, the newspaper supported a Democratic candidate for U.S. President. On Sunday it endorsed Senator Barack Obama.
This morning I opened the newspaper and saw more great news. This endorsement is no tentative, mild mannered one, either. The Houston Chronicle wrote a glowing commentary about Rick Noriega, his background, his impeccable record and his distinguished accomplishments.
It will be especially important for Texans to have a strong, respected voice inside the expected Democratic majority in the Senate. Rick Noriega offers such a voice, with a distinctive Lone Star tone and perspective.
The Chronicle endorses Noriega for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican John Cornyn.
Noriega, a Houstonian, describes himself as a Texas Democrat. That term, once common currency in the state's political conversation, seems to have fallen out of favor over the past several Republican-dominated years. But it resonates once more in this season of voter discontent with partisanship uber alles. Some old-fashioned moderate bipartisanship, Texas style, should be much welcomed in the Washington debate, particularly on overheated topics such as energy and immigration. Rick Noriega can provide it.
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The Chronicle believes Rick has what it takes to work in a bipartisan fashion. It applauds Rick for his desire to become the same kind of Senator as the late Lloyd Bentsen.
On immigration, Noriega is in step with traditional Texas views of tolerance and a warm embrace of cultural differences, rooted in respect for the law. He will bring calm and reason to the national debate.
As his role model for senatorial conduct, Noriega has selected the late Sen. Lloyd Bentsen. When facing difficult decisions in the Senate, Noriega says he would ask the question, "What would Lloyd Bentsen do?" This is more than a catchy slogan or a nostalgia trip: As a North Star for conduct and policy judgment, Noriega could scarcely choose truer than Bentsen.
The Chronicle praises Rick's service.
Over the years, Noriega has worked his way up through the ranks. He has distinguished himself as a soldier in Afghanistan and on the Texas-Mexico border, and as an elected official in Austin. During Hurricane Ike, he performed duty above and beyond the call helping those in need at the George R. Brown Convention Center. He richly deserves a promotion to Washington.
Noriega is showing himself to be the model of an effective Democrat - a centrist, moderate Texas Democrat - in a time when most voters are sick of political extremes. As such, he may one day set the standard for what a strong Texas senator can be.
The Chronicle rightly admonishes Senator Cornyn for his loyalty to Bush.
But John Cornyn also has been a too-loyal foot soldier for the Bush administration, willing to make a right turn off the cliff in support of fatally flawed policies on Iraq and torture, as well as casting improvident votes on a host of social issues. Unlike Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, he is not known for his attention to constituent services.
There you go folks. The Houston Chronicle gets it. Texans have a jewel of a choice for the U.S. Senate this Election. Let's fire the man who just cannot quit W. He sure as heck quit us a long time ago.
VOTE BABY VOTE
We have the power to take back Austin and Washington. Let's do it.
