NEW: Audio of Rats in Albuquerque:
Texas RAT Liberals Run to Albuquerque !!
(To the tune of Locomotion)
Chicken D's Anthem
Click here or on the pic !
Posted on 08/25/2003 8:43:12 PM PDT by Libloather
Carlos Guerra: Demo senators hunkering down for longer stay
Web Posted : 08/24/2003 12:00 AM
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — As the end of the second, $1.7 million special legislative session approaches, Senate Democrats who came here to stop the GOP's redistricting plan are clearly weary — but defiant. The session ends Tuesday. On Wednesday, a Laredo federal judge will hear the senators' challenge of sanctions slapped on them for leaving and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst's abrogation of a long-held Senate rule that prompted their flight. And Thursday, a delegation plans to visit Department of Justice officials in Washington.
In the meantime, each day seems to bring broader support in Texas and elsewhere.
In New Mexico, the exiles have become celebrities to many, who invite them to address their organizations. And the number of Texans visiting them is growing.
Last Wednesday, Lanier grad Jim Salinas, now a Dallasite who was on a family vacation, stopped by to express his family's support and to say that they hope "you will keep standing strong." A day later, Tejano music stars Roberto and Bobby Pulido came to offer help.
On Thursday, the senators traveled to Santa Fe to tour the state capitol, where they were greeted enthusiastically.
"We're honored," said House Speaker Ben Luján, "because you have taken a courageous stand, not for the publicity, but for your constituents, and we will keep supporting you any way we can."
Luján then invited the visitors to return Friday for Indian Market Day, a showcase of the state's art.
When asked if crowds would make getting to the event difficult, New Mexico Sen. Manny M. Aragón joked: "You may not get parking in Texas, but here we'll make sure you have a place to park."
That evening, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish hosted a dinner for the 11 at a palatial hillside home, and the Pulidos thrilled the teenage mariachis hired for the party by joining them to sing several of the Pulidos' biggest hits.
Friday morning, visitors from Washington, Texas and California greeted the senators at their breakfast buffet.
The morning buzz was about the senators' fund-raising drive on MoveOn.org that has generated almost $900,000 in three days, most of it in small sums from 27,000-plus contributors.
"People see that you are fighting this tyranny," said Laredo native Jorge Haynes, a former staffer of ex-lieutenant governors Bob Bullock and Bill Hobby who now lives in California.
"This started in Florida, spread to Texas and is now in California," echoed Mickey Ibarra, who like another visitor, Grace García, is a former Clinton staffer.
Only by denying a quorum can the further erosion of minorities' and rural areas' influence in Congress be halted, the senators repeated.
Sen. Leticia Van De Putte's legislative assistant Gilbert Loredo said that visitors and well-wishers who call and write are echoing a common message: "They're seeing that CHIP, Medicaid and schools have all been cut by these people, and that we have to make a stand before we lose our representation."
Sen. Judith Zaffirini told the visitors that the most common question from reporters is how the senators will end their exile.
"We don't need an exit strategy because we have a winning strategy," she said. "And if we have to stay another month, and another month after that, we will do it.
"And if we're still here in December, then I'll just learn how to ski."
San Antonio Express-News Editor
Robert Rivard
Total diversity. Total...
Ever been to Amarillo in December? Alaska is warm compared to that...
And is a full time idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Only ex-*Crinton staffers are showing up at this circus? They may have immunity because of previous shots...
NEW: Audio of Rats in Albuquerque:
Texas RAT Liberals Run to Albuquerque !!
(To the tune of Locomotion)
Chicken D's Anthem
Click here or on the pic !
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