If there is one thing that there is not a shortage of this year in the U.S. Senate race, it's the cast of minor candidates that are challenging what are the presumptive nominees and front-runners for each party's nomination. Gene Kelly, Ray McMurrey, Rhett Smith... these are well enough known in the Democratic party (even though one of them has run as a Republican and another was planning to do so as an Independent). But some BOR readers may not be as familiar with John Cornyn's primary opponent Larry Kilgore.
Larry Kilgore last ran in the Republican primary against Rick Perry (along with Rhett Smith actually) where he got 7.6% of the vote. (Rhett got 4.6%). Back then, his campaign website had an aborted fetus on the front page if I remember correctly. It's slightly toned down now, but he is featuring such lovely bizarre right wing bumper stickers like the one seen here. He also makes sure to note endorsements from "Christian Statesman" and "Gospel Proclaimers" on his website- admirable, but oddly worded.
And on the issues, I would be remiss if I didn't point out some key stances.
What do you think about the undeclared US war in Iraq?
I do not plan on voting for or against any US legislation not directly related to Texas Independence. The US war in Iraq is not a Texas problem it is a US problem. The US has a history of invading sovereign nations and Texas is one of them. Texas National Guard troops should immediately be released from US conscription by the Governor.
And beware of dating!
What are the skeletons in your closet?
From age 16 to 24 I dated and did not treat these ladies with respect. Physically I was virgin when I married at age 25, but I did not guard my heart. Dating is not wise!
I have repented of watching pornography on the TV and computer.
So while some ponder whether or not there is a debate among Rick Noriega and any of the colorful characters that have entered the race on our side since Mikal Watts exited, it begs the question...
Will John Cornyn debate Larry Kilgore on these important issues?
(A Response to Hugh Stearns from Texas Bloggers... - promoted by Matt Glazer)
As the misshapen priorities displayed on the Senate floor demonstrated last week, we need more and better Democrats in Congress. We need them representing our progressive "Move On" values.
Rick Noriega is such a Democrat, which is why I got involved in the movement to draft him for the U.S. Senate race against John Cornyn. I hope as you get to know him in the coming months of this campaign you'll agree that he is a fitting successor to the Texas progressive tradition of Barbara Jordan, Ann Richards, and LBJ-with a little Lloyd Bentsen thrown in for good measure.
Yesterday marked the one month point of the Texas Bloggers drive for 800 participants on board the Noriega Express to give Texas at least one U.S. Senator who won't embarass us every time he opens his mouth.
A lot has happened in that month, and it could not have happened without YOU.
With a hat tip to our friends in the Nutmeg State who blazed this trail with Ned Lamont last year, follow me on the flip to see what a Lone Star movement looks like...
Kuff mentioned this yesterday, and I thought it was a great idea.
Well, if Karl Rove is coming back to Texas, I think the least we can do is to make him feel welcome once he's here. I think justice would never be more poetic if Rove were to return to Texas in time to see it turn blue. So, in the spirit of helping to bring that about, why not make a donation to Rick Noriega. Surely nothing would make Karl Rove feel more warmly received than that.
Clearly, great minds think alike, because Christy at FDL has the same thought.
The HIll basically anointed Watts as the frontrunner based on his big push to raise money not from his own bank account (more than $1.1 million in the last 30 days of the quarter):
Democratic Senate candidate Mikal Watts laid claim to early front-runner status in Texas with a strong first month of fundraising, just as his top competition announced it will launch a campaign this week.
Despite his pledge to spend $10 million of his own money on the campaign, Watts is showing that he isn’t content to rely on his own fortune in his bid to unseat Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). He raised more than $1.1 million in the final 30 days of the second quarter, setting a pace generally reserved for incumbents and celebrity candidates.
The article points out that's in the territory of John Kerry and Mary Landrieu (both strong incumbents), and above comedian Al Franken. Beyond that the article is filled with the usual discussion of who is strong where, with jabs from the Noriega and Cornyn camps.
Larry Kilgore last ran in the Republican primary against Rick Perry (along with Rhett Smith actually) where he got 7.6% of the vote. (Rhett got 4.6%). Back then, his 