(Lisa Krantz/Express-News)
Former President Bill Clinton, left, and Henry Cisneros,
former mayor of San Antonio, walk on the grounds of Palo
Alto College after speaking at a rally in support of Ciro
Rodriguez.
Posted on 12/10/2006 4:21:38 PM PST by Anti-MSM
Former President Clinton told hundreds of screaming Ciro Rodriguez supporters on Sunday that they have to want a victory in Tuesday's runoff election more than those who want an eighth term for Republican Rep. Henry Bonilla.
"The winner Tuesday will be the person whose supporters want it the most," Clinton said during a brief visit to Palo Alto College in San Antonio.
Rodriguez's campaign hoped Clinton's visit would energize voters to head to the polls Tuesday. Rodriguez faces the incumbent Bonilla in a runoff because neither man got more than 50 percent of the vote in a crowded Nov. 7 special election.
"We can make this happen, but it's going to require each and every one of us," said Rodriguez.
Clinton said voters will determine whether Congressional District 23 is among the seats picked up by Democrats in the U.S. House or one of 10 or so spots where Democrats fell a "tad short" in this year's elections.
"You couldn't have a clearer choice. You couldn't have a better candidate," Clinton told the crowd. "You've got just about 48 hours to go bring it home."
Bonilla was in Hondo, about 40 miles west of San Antonio, on Sunday with Republican Sen. John Cornyn, said Bonilla campaign spokesman Phil Ricks.
Clinton "coming to town should prove to voters that Ciro is as liberal as ever and if given the chance would not hesitate to revert to supporting failed Clinton administration policies. My conservative base ... will take note of the Clinton/Rodriguez love fest and get even more motivated to vote," Bonilla said in a statement issued before Clinton's stop.
Vanessa Gonzalez, spokeswoman for the Rodriguez campaign, said Clinton expressed interest in visiting Texas to lend his support.
Sunday's rally also featured Henry Cisneros, a Housing and Urban Development secretary under Clinton, and Rep. Charlie Gonzalez, D-San Antonio.
"We are 48 hours away from the opportunity to be part of that history that was made in November," Cisneros said.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has spent at least $870,000 in the race.
As of Nov. 22, FEC filings show Bonilla's campaign with more than 10 times the cash on hand, $955,000, as Rodriguez, who reported $94,000.
The race for the 23rd District was thrown wide open earlier this year after the Supreme Court ruled the district's previous boundaries violated the Voting Rights Act because they diluted Hispanic voting strength.
What's the feel on this one?
We'll retain this one.
TX-23 Ping!
Maybe I'm wrong, but hasn't it been proved that Clinton is the kiss of death to a candidate's campaign?
How do you say Bill Clinton in Spanish?
Answer: Henry Cisneros.
"We'll retain this one."
I like Bonilla. I think we will win this one.
I hope we retain this one. I'm considering moving into that part of Texas in the next year or so.
I moved here in July. Make sure you have employment before coming down here.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.