Netroots Groundswell Bolsters Noriega Senate Campaign

Written by: Tegan R on Jun 2, 2008 11:45 AM EDT

Linked to campaigns: Rick Noriega for US Senator from Texas

Houston, TX -- Texas State Representative Rick Noriega's campaign to unseat Republican U.S. Senator John Cornyn is receiving tremendous encouragement from the online community. A favorite of the Texas blogosphere, Noriega was launched into the limelight with the "Draft Noriega for Senate" campaign started by Texas Netroots. Noriega's campaign continues to gain steam on blogs all across the nation after two new independent polls found the Texas Senate race in a dead heat.

Bloggers and the netroots across the country are uniting behind Noriega to help get Rick's story out to the voters of Texas and aid in the campaign's fundraising efforts. Because of his outstanding record of public service, both as a National Guardsman who served in Afghanistan and as a representative in the Texas legislature, internet publications are enthusiastically promoting Noriega as the man to win in November.  He is touted as a candidate who could invigorate the Democratic Party, not only in the historically conservative state of Texas, but in the country as a whole.

"The campaign is excited by the positive feedback from the online community," said Tony Gray, campaign spokesperson for Rick Noriega for Texas. "The blogosphere is a powerful democratizing force through which the campaign and our supporters are reaching out to the public, articulating Rick's message and generating support and funds. We are encouraged that the online community here in Texas shares our commitment to bringing real change and real solutions to Texas and the nation."

"Conventional wisdom in Washington said that Texas was unwinnable for a democrat, but recent polls have proven that Texans are ready for Rick Noriega. We urge Rick's netroots supporters to break out their cameras and post video testimonials explaining why they support Rick Noriega and why they believe he can win in Texas this year."

What the blogs are saying about Noriega:

America Blog
http://www.americablog.com/2008/05/support-rick-noriega-from-texas-for-us.html

A recent poll demonstrated that Noriega is polling very well against his opponent, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid commented on the exciting nature of the Texas Senate race. "We have, we got poll results back out of Texas, we're only four points behind in Texas."

"Texas Democrats are energized this year. And, Noriega is the perfect candidate for his state. He's a native Texan with an impressive career and commitment to public service. Rick is a veteran who has served in the U.S. Army and the Texas National Guard - including a fourteen month tour of duty in Afghanistan."

"Put the Texas Senate race on your radar screen, and open up your wallets (please). Democratic candidate and Afghan war vet, Rick Noriega, is already running a very strong race against the GOP incumbent, John Cornyn, who is one of the nastiest and most right wing Republicans in the Senate (think: Santorum, but dumber)."

Daily Kos
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2007/12/20/133321/02

"…Noriega is the face of a modern Democratic Party -- pluralistic and multicultural, committed to national service, and competent. There's a reason that Republican Texas chose Noriega (a Democrat) to run the Katrina relief effort at the Houston Convention Center."

"These are the races [Noriega for Texas] that define us as a movement. We can shy away from tough challenges, or we can meet them head on and build for a future in which the Democratic Party doesn't just govern, but that it reflects the values all Americans hold dear."

"There's no doubt that Texas is our biggest challenge yet, but we don't gain anything by sitting back and looking for the easy calls…And the Texas progressive community is working their ass for Noriega. Let's give them moral and material support, no matter where we might live."

Fire Dog Lake
http://firedoglake.com/2007/08/11/blue-america-welcomes-rick-noriega-d-tx/

"Ask people who follow the Texas legislature and they'll tell you that Rick is the kind of guy who tries to bring people together and to work on issues from common ground. It doesn't make him less a man of strong convictions; it makes him a purposeful realistic who gets the peoples' business done."

"He's the diametric opposite of Cornyn, whose entire modus operandi is divisiveness and, like Rove and Bush, splitting the nation apart."

Texas Blogs Started the Buzz…

Off the Kuff
http://www.offthekuff.com/mt/archives/009665.html#009665

"I think we will finally have a confluence of establishment and grassroots support at a statewide level with a Noriega candidacy. I believe people will get fired up about getting Rick Noriega elected… I think he can be a game-changer, someone who can alter politics in this state in a fundamental way, and in doing so alter Texas' image
nationally."

South Texas Chisme
http://stxc.blogspot.com/2007/06/public-service-calling-rick-noriega.html

"Rick Noriega stands out as a man ready for the job. He's already been called to public service as a National Guardsman in Afghanistan and a representative in the house. Rick is called again."

Capitol Annex
http://capitolannex.com/2007/06/18/tx-sen-draft-rick-noriega/

Capitol Annex has joined forces with more than a dozen of the state's most prominent progressive bloggers to send out a loud-and-clear message: we want State Rep. Rick Noriega (D-Houston) to run for Texas Senate.

DosCentavos.net
http://dos-centavos.blogspot.com/2007/06/what-will-it-take-to-win-tx-sen.html

In my opinion, for a Democrat to win back our U.S. Senate seat in '08, it will take much more than just money. It will take a Democratic candidate that can effectively communicate with all sectors of the diverse community that is Texas; it will take a Democratic candidate with whom Texans identify; and it will take a Democratic candidate that has more than proven his/her ability to lead. DosCentavos readers, that Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in 2008 should be Rick Noriega -- citizen, leader, father, worker, and soldier. I urge my readers and all Texans to declare their support and urge Rick Noriega to seek the Democratic nomination for United States Senate.

Eye on Williamson
http://eyeonwilliamson.org/?p=1225

Noriega has literally fought for our freedom and exercised it in the Texas House of Representatives for the benefit of working families. Others have written at length about Noriega's qualifications. The most important thing you need to know is that Rick Noriega has served this nation and this state with honor. We hope in the days to come you will learn more about him and agree that he has the strength of character and leadership to spark hope in the hearts of long-suffering Texas' working-class voters.

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