... but someone at her campaign has chosen a frightening photo to feature on her website.
She looks like Rocky the Flying Squirrel in the pic above.
Posted on 08/08/2004 5:17:06 PM PDT by SwinneySwitch
EDINBURG — Temperatures were in the triple digits all last week but baseball fans didn’t care as they packed the Edinburg Baseball Stadium Thursday night to watch their local professional ball team.
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett didn’t seem to mind the heat, either, as he threw out the first pitch and took the opportunity to work the crowd by walking around and listening to the concerns and complaints of Hidalgo County residents.
In November, Doggett, D-Austin, will face Republican Becky Armendariz Klein of Austin in the race for newly drawn congressional District 25, which includes most of Hidalgo County.
And just like the weather, the race is heating up.
Klein recently told San Antonio Express-News columnist Jaime Castillo that she expects Texas Latinos, historically considered to be highly Democratic, to vote differently this November.
"There’s a good portion of this district which has never voted for a gringo, monolingual congressman before," Klein said in the paper’s July 24, 2004, edition.
Klein herself has been married to an Anglo for the last three years. Her husband, Dale Klein, is a former vice chancellor at the University of Texas and now works as a presidential appointee at the Department of Defense.
Klein’s press secretary, Jane Porto-Turner, released a written statement about the article and indicated interviews on the issue would not be granted because Klein didn’t want it to overshadow the issues of District 25.
"As someone who grew up in District 25, and as someone married to a wonderful Anglo, I know that South Texans are more interested in character and accomplishment than race," Klein wrote. "The term I used is common in South Texas and I did not intend it to be pejorative, and I will not use it again."
Just like the players on the field, Doggett appeared to take it all in stride.
"You know, I’ve got thick skin," Doggett said. "It’s not consistent with bringing us all together and it’s certainly not a word that I would have used to describe anyone. I think it’s a real compliment that so many people here voted for me in the March primary election, and they voted for the person who they believe will get the job done for them."
His recent decision not to attend the Democratic National Convention is indicative of his dedication to District 25 and the direction of his campaign, he said.
"I want to be accessible," Doggett said. "I think it’s important for me to be here and available as much as possible and so I’m splitting my time between the Valley and Austin, and I make sure to talk to the people in between, too.
"I want to visit with as many people as possible and see what I can do to help," Doggett said. "I’m trying to be in three places at once — and if that means I spend a lot of time going back and forth, so be it. I think I just qualified for my first free frequent flier ticket from Southwest (Airlines)."
Doggett said his approach during the last leg of the campaign would be much like the weeks that took him to the March primary.
"I consider my approach this period to be the continuation of my congressional term," Doggett said. "I’m not at the point yet of passing out cards or putting up signs; that will come at the end of September."
Future plans also include participating in a forum being organized by the McAllen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce this fall.
His wife, Libby, has been busy with her work as executive director for the Trust for Early Education, an organization which educates policy makers and the general public about the advantages that pre-kindergarten classes offer to young children.
Her absence should not be interpreted as a lack of interest, he said.
"Libby hasn’t been down here as much as me because of a new position — a promotion — she received," Doggett said. "I’m real proud of her success and she’s been so helpful and supportive of my work that I don’t want to interfere with hers."
——
Alma Walzer handles special assignments, investigative reporting and politics for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4422.
Gringo Ping!
Here in South TEXAS we call him dog@#$.
Certainly nothing is lower than a Texas Commie.
... but someone at her campaign has chosen a frightening photo to feature on her website.
She looks like Rocky the Flying Squirrel in the pic above.
bump!
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