Laredo Dem Henry Cuellar has "heavy baggage" on the Hill

[crispini]

Interesting article.

Cuellar's heavy baggage
Freshman representative's fellow Democrats distrust him, and Republicans aren't too happy with him either.

By Chuck Lindell
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
WASHINGTON — Few first-term representatives arrive on Capitol Hill carrying more political baggage than U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Laredo Democrat with much to prove in the next two years.

Already viewed with suspicion for joining Republican Gov. Rick Perry's administration as secretary of state in 2000, when the Texas Republican Party was working hard to woo Hispanic voters, Cuellar defied Democratic leaders last year to challenge, and defeat, a popular four-term incumbent in Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, D-San Antonio.

Cuellar emerged victorious in the primary after 419 additional ballots were discovered in two of his stronghold counties, erasing Rodriguez's 145-vote win — but only after two recounts, four court decisions and five months of controversy. He easily beat a Republican and a Libertarian in November.

It wasn't an ideal way to start a congressional career, and Cuellar's challenges didn't end with the defeat of Rodriguez.

More...
http://www.statesman.com/hp/content/shared/tx/legislature/stories/01/19cuellar.html

Wow, this dude "calls himself pro-gun, pro-free trade, anti-abortion and anti-gay marriage." I can't really figure out from the article why he's a Democrat....

[sonias]

1. He's a closet republican and he'll turn pro one day

Lots of people from the district know that he acts, talks and walks like a repuke. He's a Democrat in name only. Now that he's cheated his way into office it won't be long before he moves on over to the other side. He just wanted to the benefit of incumbency to help him keep the seat. I say f**k him. Take him out next time. I know Rodriguez plans to run against him again to regain his seat.

Sonia

[Melissa G]

2. Hi Crispini and Sonias

I did not know Crispini was local. Check out Kvue tonight. I was interviewed at the protest and got to say some good stuff.
Hope they put it on....

[sonias]

3. Hey Melissa

Missed the broadcast, hope you got on. Yes Crispini is from our little state of Texas. A little farther North than Austin, closer to Dallas but hey that's local to us.

Sonia

[crispini]

4. Hi!

:hi: Maybe we can all get together at Democracyfest. soooo looking forward to it.

[ChicanoPwr]

5. He is a Democrat because...

Laredo is all Blue. If anybody were to label themselves a Repub they will lose. Laredo has this hatered of Repubs and all thanks to Tricky Dick. He promised Laredo that he was not going to close the Air Force base back in the late 60s or 70s (I forgot the date) and yet he did close it on them. Therefore if any Repubs are going to win, they have to be a fake Democrat.

[Jack_DeLeon]

6. From what he calls himself...

I agree with about 3/4ths of that.