Rick Noriega Visits The Lake

firedoglake, that is. Noriega participated in a liveblog interview yesterday, where he was introduced by Howie Klein to firedoglake readers. Rick is fast becoming the favorite netroots candidate for this cycle. He's got Kos' support and now the firedoglake community is on board, showing their support in the comments and by their donations to Blue America (you can show Noriega some love there, too!).

Some highlights from the liveblogging:

howieklein @ 5

Rick, welcome to Firedoglake. I’m sure everywhere here is as eager as I am to know how a real PROGRESSIVE Democrat is going to win in one of the redder states in the country. Tell us how you can make our contributions work for bringing about a better America via Texas.

Rick: We’ve got to get back to the basics of “We the People.” We all must answer the call to service for our state and nation for the common good.

Dembones @ 22

It’s a pleasure to have you with us this afternoon. My question regards the 57 Democrats (16 in the Senate) who voted with Republicans on the recent FISA revisions. These Democrats sided with the President that the threat to this country is so great that we must relinquish some of our freedoms in order to remain safe. Many of these Democrats feared political retribution for appearing “soft on terrorism.” Would you explain to us your feelings on whether amending FISA was appropriate; on exchanging freedoms for security; and on the political triangulation of Democrats afraid to stand for their beliefs in the face of withering Republican counterattacks?

Rick: FISA is about Repubs again using fear as a political motivator. It’s unfortunate that we relinquish liberty to folks like our administration and the Attorney General. We need people in DC that have walked the walk and can speak with credibility on these issues without being afraid.

martha @ 40

Rick, please update us on the support you are getting around the state!

Rick: Great grassroots support from all over the state. I am telling folks that I am working to EARN their support based on my voting record, years of public service etc.

When I return from Ft. Benning our campaign will share some of the more public endorsements.

TexasEllen @ 43

I’m an old lady who grew up in the Rio Grande Valley and Corpus Christi. The Borderlands are a special place to me and the idea of an ugly fence cutting off the centuries old interchange just grates. Perhaps Tom Tancredo really thinks that all those place names in Texas were put on the map by some pilgrim with a Spanish/English dictionary.

Rick: The current leadership believes that you lead by dividing people. I believe we need new leadership that calls out to people to work together.

LS @ 63

Texas constituent here..welcome.

How do you feel about the Trans-Texas Corridor? I’ve seen signs up already on the road down to Brownsville for future Rt. 69. I understand they are planning a 10-lane highway - all the way to Canada. To do that there would need to be lots of claims of eminent domain.

Rick: We need an interstate in RGV. Ports on the west coast are over loaded. Mexico building two more on the their W. Coast. Panama Canal will be expanded. Real opportunity to expand our import/export traffic thru TX ports.

However, we need infrastructure to move goods to market. Process of how Perry and co. wanted to privatize road system really violated trust with the people in working our land deals.

WestHoustonDem @ 112

Hi Rick and Melissa! Good to see you both here.

Rick - there issues that you and your primary opponent totally disagree on, but one trumps them all for me. He actually describes himself as pro-life, which I prefer to call pro-forced-pregnancy. Can you comment on your stand on women’s reproductive rights?

Rick: 100% voting record with TARAL/NARAL. I’ve witnessed in Afghanistan when a government tells women what they can and cannot do, what they can and cannot wear.

This is not the role of government. Women’s rights are continuously under siege.

It is another deliberate distracter, or wedge issue by the far right.

refinish69 @ 144

In the past few years we have seen the Republican Party discriminate and refuse to pass legislation to end discrimination for the GLBT Community. If you are elected, will you work to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and “Hate Crimes” Bill?

Rick: I’ve voted for all hate crime leg. in the TX House. I was one of 13? votes against HJR 6 in TX.

I hate bullies. Folks that gratuitously “other” people like the Repubs often do violate my vision of We the People.

Melissa Noriega (that's Council Member Melissa Noriega!) joined in, also. There's much more over at firedoglake. Check it out.