Posted on 07/30/2004 7:50:37 AM PDT by Theodore R.
Abilene Democrat adds pop to message in visit to Tech campus
BY KATIE HEPBURN AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
U.S. Rep. Charlie Stenholm is wise to a valuable piece of knowledge in his bid for District 19's congressional seat: the most influencing incentive for college students typically involves food.
And so his campaign aides distributed a bounty of frozen ice pops Thursday at Texas Tech's free speech area, nestled between the Student Union and library, as the Abilene Democrat fielded questions from passing students.
In addition, a table was positioned in the free speech area's pavilion where volunteers helped interested students register to vote and where Stenholm supporters could grab various paraphernalia, such as campaign bumper stickers and pins.
"He's here to talk to students, anyone on campus who has any concerns or just wants to get to know him," campaign intern Julie Goen said. She said Stenholm was prompted to visit the campus after several student organizations expressed an interest in having him.
"Anytime he's around people, he gets a good response," she said. "He knows what the people of West Texas need and he's able to communicate that."
Several students approached Stenholm with questions ranging from what he would do for Tech to budget and health care concerns.
"His priority seems to be agriculture, which is the lifeblood of this area and Texas Tech," said Greg Nelson, a university library employee.
Nelson was specifically curious about what sort of special projects Stenholm would bring to the university. Nelson said he was impressed with Stenholm's interest in the federally-funded plant stress lab, the meat lab, and animal sciences.
"For this year, I have been looking at the 17th District," Stenholm said, referring to the fact that he still represents that district, which does not include Tech.
But Stenholm, who was shifted into the new district after a redrawing of Texas' congressional map, said there are several things he is ready to do for Tech if he captures the District 19 seat, which is held by his opponent, U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Lubbock.
"Texas Tech is one of the centers for agriculture in the United States," Stenholm said.
He said he will push for increased funding for cotton, conservation, the plant stress lab, and will push especially hard in the area of water conservation, which he foresees Tech playing a large role.
"Agriculture is very important to the High Plains," Stenholm said.
He said his position as the ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, coupled with 26 years of experience under his belt, gives him a strong edge over Neugebauer.
Trey Thomason, a senior business major, wanted to meet Stenholm to gain more perspective about the upcoming November election.
"I wanted to find out more about the candidate so I could be a more informed voter," he said. "I think the most important thing is to get out and listen to the candidates. You can't just vote strictly with your party."
Thomason said he wanted to approach Stenholm about "what he wants to do for the district here in Lubbock and where he plans to lead us...Being the ranking member of ag is very important," he added, "and it's not a position you just wanna give up."
Stenholm also visited Cavazos Junior High Thursday to visit with current and retired public school teachers about Texas educators who are currently denied Social Security survivors' benefits and his approach to rectifying the problem.
katie.hepburn@lubbockonline.com 766-8742
bump
How much of the new district is Stenholm of district.
I meant old district.
Dick Cheney is coming here on Monday to support Neaugabaur. Stenholm should be affraid..... I heard today on local radio that Cheney visit to Lubbock is the biggest and largest fund raiser Cheney has seen in the US...
I CAN NOT WAIT, then we have others coming and right now, Stenholm is down by 8 points.. even his fake conservative ads are not going to work with us Republicans.
Isn't this district about equally divided between the Stenholm and Neugebauer partisans? I think name ID will propel Stenholm to victory.
Maybe Neugebauer is stronger than I expect, but he has held the seat only for 13 months.
I was in the Bryan-College Station district Thursday, and I saw only one Republican sign for Arlene Wohlegumuth. There were dozens for the popular Democrat Chet Edwards (maybe people think he is related to John Edwards) throughout this traditionally (last 20 years) Republican district.
My condolences.....
I went to the George Bush Library Thursday -- one really needs more than the two hours that I had to see it.
I agree.... about a@m
Not to worry about Texas Tech kids... I have raised 2 and both are very supportive of Bush and Naugaubaur.
Farmers will vote for Randy also.... Stenholm has hit way below the belt on his polling..... I was contacted a few weeks ago and he was saying nothing but lies about Randy. Snteholm has lost all credibility in my opinion. We evan have the mayor of Abilene coming to the Cheney. Naugaubaur rally on Monday.... and that is in Stenholms back door.
LOVE IT!
Well, Charlie has been fairly good in my mind, for a Democrat that is. I will feel a little bad when I vote for Randy, but not too much. I would feel a heck of a lot better if my vote would put Eddie Bernice Johnson out of office.
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