DNC Hispanic Leadership Summit Roundup

I had the opportunity to attend the DNC Hispanic Leadership Summit in San Antonio this weekend. Let me tell you, it wasn't what I expected. I thought I would hear a lot of people telling me what it means to be Hispanic and a Democrat and to do this and that. I was wrong. The DNC came to San Antonio to listen to us (i.e. Hispanics/Latinos/Chicanos (CA in the house)). They have finally started to realize that they will lose us if they ignore us. The DNC's appearance in San Antonio shows me that they are serious about keeping Hispanics at the leadership table.

If you have not ever heard Howard Dean speak and hold a negative opinion of his style, go hear him speak in person. His is one the most moving and inspirational speakers I have ever heard. He won't give you a warm fuzzy feeling like after a great church sermon. He will give you a "you know what, I am not doing enough and that is going to stop right now" feeling. He is a man on a mission, charging head first against the dragon. I believe that if we take his lead and run everywhere and not let the Republicans get anything for free, that we will shift the momentum in our favor.

One interesting part of the summit was hearing U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar speak on a panel. First, he is a truly awful impromptu speaker. Really, really awful. Second, almost as soon as he spoke he left the conference area. He made a bee line for the door as soon as he could.

I wonder why a "Democratic" Congressman wouldn't stick around a hotel full of Democrats? Could it be that he voted for CAFTA (rhymes with "shaft ya"), the Real ID act,  "the Bankruptcy Bill, and the bill to limit citizen's legal rights and protect corporations that abuse Americans" or that he has been G.W. Bush boy since the beginning?

He is the example of what is wrong with the Democratic party. That Republican should have never been voted in to begin with and I can't wait for Rep. Richard Raymond to whoop him in the 2006 primary. Congressional Quarterly's Politics in America says that "[n]o member of the Class of 2004 came to the House under a bigger cloud of controversy, nor a greater likelihood of a serious 2006 primary challenge, than Cuellar...." [UPDATE: Via the Rothernberg Politcial Report (.pdf file) on CD 28, June 7, 2005]

The great thing about these functions is you to meet great folks you would have never been able to meet and you get to catch up with old friends. I finally met Aaron Pena, State Representative and author of A Capitol Blog. He was very friendly and seemed like a curious person (a trait I like in my Reps).

I met Felix Alvarado who is running for Texas Governor (he told me half-way into our conversation). His sister is running for Lt. Governor. I don't know him from Adam and my meeting with him was the first I have ever heard from him. If anyone knows anything about him, let me know. However, Chris Bell has been the only one burning the trail from Governor and TRS's pick for that spot. In spite of the transparent "Draft Sharp" thing going on, Bell is the fresh candidate we need. [UPDATE: Karl over at BOR has done some heavy lifting on who may be behind the Draft Sharp website]. Lest us remind you that he cut his teeth challenging the most powerful Republican in Congress. You have to appreciate the fight in that dog.

The highlight of the summit for me was meeting Lt. Commander Juan Garcia. He was friendly without being patronizing, the smartest person in room without making you feel dumb, had the old school officer and a gentleman thing going on about him and impeccable credentials (Harvard trained lawyer and White House Fellow). I heard other people call him "very charming" and having a "Clintonesqe/Kennedyesque" quality about him. I agree.

He is the real deal folks. I hope he will be able find a appropriate seat to run for. I think he has extraordinary potential. I am so glad that their are potential candidates like him around. He will be the new face of the party. Let's all keep our eyes on him.

Thanks DNC for coming San Antonio. You have recharged my batteries.

Comments

[carlos cuellar]

what wrong with the the democratic party . 1 reason is liberal like you that keeps the people supress under, with welfare and pac commitee like trail lawyer that get weathy with dead men bones .HC voted for the real id to keep out terrorist lie ms 13 groups . you people think are the best reps. what a bunch of ivory glass tower. tou need to work with both party burros common sense .

[Eddie R.]

Gosh, I would respond but I am not real sure what you said.

[carlos cuellar]

you dont want to hear the truth you viper .you love to be in high places . you cant tell us how to vote .you people just hate to see poor persons go up in the ladder.gosh.

[carlos cuellar]

get a real job .I BET YOU NEVER HAD WORK A HONEST DAY IN YOUR GOSH LIFE.

[Eddie R.]

Actually, I prefer St. Mary's Rattler, not viper. Aside from insults, do you have anything productive or substantive to say? For the record, the only high place I hold is in my cat’s life as their food provider. I would have more respect for Cuellar if he ran as a Republican. At least he would be authentic in his positions. He votes consistently for Republican issues. He is no Democrat and every person "in the know" agrees.

I know you are afraid that he will not be re-elected. He is vulnerable because he does not represent his district (See above linked report). CD 28 deserves better representation.

[carlos cuellar]

RATTLER TELL ME WHY RAYMOND CHANGE HIS NAME FROM RAMON TO RAYMOND GOSH HIS GRAN DID SORRY THAT SOUND LIKE REPUG THAT FELLOW RICHARD .HIS GRAN WAS ABSHAME OF HIS MEXICAN NAME GOSH DO YOU UNDERSTAND

[Eddie R.]

Gee Carlito, I don't understand. I really wish we could continue this conversation but I have no idea what you are saying. While I am not a stickler on grammar or spelling, you must have some noun-verb agreement in your "sentences." If not, then you are just typing words and things that look like words. Please feel free to post when someone can help you write because right now you are incoherent.

[carlos cuellar]

THANK YOU FOR CORRECTED MY SENTENING.GOOD RIDDANCE

[Sandra]

Eddie - I'm dissappointed not to have met Juan Garcia. Truth be told, I didn't network as much as I probably should have. However, I did speak to former U.S. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez. Having worked this past legislative session, I can tell you that Rep. Raymond let Democrats down on his votes in favor of anti-gay legislation. He's not a bad guy, but Ciro never would have voted to discriminate against anyone. But I digress. Yours is one of the best reports on the weekend's activities I've read. Except you forgot to mention the boos, hisses and expletives directed at Cuellar. The reason he left so soon was because he knew he was not the most popular guy in the room. With the tools we picked up in San Antonio, we can remove both DeLay and Cuellar from office. It's going to be a good year for Texas Democrats.

[Eddie R.]

If you ever get a chance to meet Juan Garcia, do it. I think you will be impressed. I am sure we will see more of him in the future.

I agree that Raymond's vote would not have been my choice on that matter but I still think he has the best shot at beating Cuellar. That bill/vote was set up as a wedge issue for the next election. It was damned if you do and damned if you don’t situation. That is not an excuse but how the whole matter was set up to be.

I worked in Lege during the redistricting session (2003) and saw Rep. Raymond stand up and fight one of the toughest political fights against redistricting and Tom Delay's minions. I am impressed by his courage and tenacity. This man refused to quit fighting for us and we need people like that in Congress.

I have nothing but the utmost respect for former Rep. Rodriguez. He was always a honorable member and represented his district well. However, his opportunity was lost after the last election. Many people told me he did not run a smart race against Cuellar. I think his time has passed and we should look to the new generation of leaders. First and foremost, we must remove Cuellar from that seat and I believe Rep. Richard Raymond is the one to do it.

[Sandra]

Richard Raymond knew better than to cast his votes for the Talton Amendment and for HJR6. He was running for Congress so he "voted his district." We need our leaders to stand up for Democratic values in the most important matters - education, health care and civil rights. Blaming your vote on the least of us is not advancing our cause. Discrimination is wrong. Period.