Perry has hispanics in high positions. Asst. Sec. of State, campaign manager, etc. Incumbency has its benefits. If I was a mayor I would think long and hard before not endorsing a sitting Governor who is on a glide path to victory.

What is going on? The valley is the last democratic stronghold. Maybe it's a little quid pro quo, maybe I'll just vote for Kinky Friedman. I will vote for Kinky Friedman.

Democrats, liberals, progressives, and the like make a big mistake assuming that Hispanics are a safe constituency. As long as the Republicans restrain their xenophobia sufficiently, their cultural conservatism meshes nicely otherwise with a big chunk of the Hispanic-American community.

The Valley is deep blue and what those eleven Perry appointee-wannabes say won't change much. In any case, the TDP should have had someone there a very long time ago.

BTW, has anyone seen the new article on the Wonsgter in the Houston Press???

/luv it!

Ejole!

I wonder if the politqueras are going to be out in full force in November.

I agree with spiffie because he's smart, and he happens to be correct. Democrats are slowly losing parts of their base because they have consistently failed to do anything for them. All the Republicans have to do is listen and pretend to relate.

Bacchus --

Democrats haven't done anything for Hispanics? Bull fucking-shit.

Now, I don't expect anyone to fall in line w/ anybody. Honestly, these are folks that are pleased they get local money, which comes from the state, and they want to keep getting it. It's Bell's job to go work and deliver the vote across Texas from all Texans, including Hispanics. On that, I agree -- Democrats could do a better job.

But don't say Democrats have never done anything for the Hispanic community. That's like saying Republicans never do anything for the religious right.

Blacklisted:

McAllen Mayor Richard Cortez, Mission Mayor Norberto Salinas, Hidalgo Mayor John David Franz, Pharr Mayor Leo Polo Palacios, and Donna Mayor Rick Morales. The mayors of the cities of Harlingen, Palmhurst, La Villa, Edcouch, Elsa, and Rio Grande City.

Blacklisted from what? Chris Bell's victory party? It doesn't work that way. Of course the Democrats have done something, but what about lately?

wizard-

I never said they haven't done anything, it was more in the vein of "what have you done for me lately?" and the answer is not much. How many Democrats went to bat on illegal immigration? how many Democrats have opposed the building of that damn fence? how many Democrats have talked about increasing social services in latino communities? Not enough of them. The Democratic party has expected the support of the latino/a community based on things they did in the 60s and 70s. That's not enough.

^Are you familiar with Valley politics? Just askin'. Because it does work "that way" "down there."

Nothing is more entertaining to watch than Valley politics. The pachangas are great and the politics is very personal.

Elected officials are free to endorse whomever they choose, but an endorsement does not necessarily mean more votes at the polls. It will all depend on get-out-the vote efforts by the political candidates.

Remember the ABC Rule about endorsements: Anything But Certain.

Bacchus :

"because they have consistently failed to do anything for them"

That ain't about doing anything lately, don't back down from your own words.

You're right, though. Not enough Democrats spoke out about illegal immigration --- so naturally, they went over to Perry, the king of immigration compassion (W. T. F.???)

CHIP. Education. Bilingual education. Medicaid/Medicare. Lowering teen pregnancy rates. Bills to improve basic services in colonias. College tuiition $$$. You think Democrats haven't done anything about those issues the past year or so? You think Democrats haven't fought for Hispanic interests on any of those issues since the 60's or 70's?

Again, the mayors went over to Perry b/c the state secured money for local projects, and if they believe Perry is the only one who can win, they want to be on his good side so they can get more money for local city projects. That's what this is about.

But keep talking. You're making my opinions --- what I thought were common sense --- sound well-informed and intelligent by comparison.

TRYING to court your endorsement? Like the bottle of gin alone wouldn't work.

/Works for me.