Cornyn Ties to Big Oil Outweigh Potential Gas Price Relief for Texas Families

Written by: Tegan R on Aug 4, 2008 11:54 AM EDT

Linked to campaigns: Rick Noriega for US Senator from Texas

(Disclaimer: This post is from a Rick Noriega press release. I do not work for Noriega's campaign, but I am an intern at Democracy for America.)

Houston – In voting to block legislation designed to rein in excessive energy speculation, John Cornyn continued a pattern of placing Big Oil interests ahead of those of Texas families, said the Rick Noriega campaign today, which unveiled its plan for energy self-sufficiency earlier this week and will be hosting roundtable discussions and townhall meetings to hear Texas families' concerns on Cornyn's status quo energy policies this coming week. Cornyn, who has received more donations from oil and gas firms than nearly any other Senator, voted against moving forward on a bill to crack down on energy financial speculation and provide families with relief from record-high gas prices.

A chorus of leading economists and energy experts has cited the role excessive speculation plays in driving up the price of oil. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Economy.com and an advisor to John McCain, said financial speculation "clearly has played a role" in raising oil prices. Similarly, Michael Greenberger, formerly of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, said, "there’s a speculative premium that goes beyond what supply-and-demand factors dictate. And that’s what could be drained with aggressive United States regulation."

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There He Goes Again - Cornyn Chooses Partisanship Over Tax Relief, Disaster Assistance For Texans

Written by: Tegan R on Aug 4, 2008 11:51 AM EDT

Linked to campaigns: Rick Noriega for US Senator from Texas

(Disclaimer: This post is from a Rick Noriega press release. I do not work for Noriega's campaign, but I am an intern at Democracy for America.)

Wednesday, July 30, 2008                                                
 
Houston – There he goes again. John Cornyn voted – the third time – to side with national Republicans to block a package of much needed tax cuts and disaster relief for Texans. The bill is full of initiatives important to Texans, but Cornyn continued to march lock-step with his party to block legislation critical to Texas families. While Texans have worked hard to meet the challenge of higher gas prices, increasing tuition costs, and devastating summer disasters, Cornyn has failed them in Washington.

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Karl Rove is Coming

Written by: Tegan R on Aug 1, 2008 12:22 PM EDT

Linked to campaigns: Rick Noriega for US Senator from Texas

(Disclaimer: This post is from a Rick Noriega campaign email. I do not work for Noriega's campaign, but I am an intern at Democracy for America.)

With the Bush Administration disgraced in one corruption scandal after another, you'd think Cornyn's campaign would distance themselves from the dirty politics of President Bush and Karl Rove. But in fact, they're doing the opposite: Next month, Karl Rove will attend a fundraiser for John Cornyn in El Paso, Texas.
 
Cornyn has the support of special interests and political strategists who will do almost anything to help him win in November. Help Rick Noriega fight back by donating to our campaign today!
 
http://www.ricknoriega.com/karlroveiscoming

Election Day is just a few months away, and with poll after poll showing John Cornyn below a 50% approval rating, he's scared of the strength of our campaign -- scared enough to flip-flop his position on Medicare and the New GI Bill after Rick pressured him to vote the right way. Scared enough of online supporters like you to send fundraising emails attacking our grassroots community. In fact, John Cornyn is so scared that he's asking Rove to fundraise for his campaign and relying on the help of partisan, personal politics to win.

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Statement of Rep. Rick Noriega on FISA Vote

Written by: Tegan R on Jul 11, 2008 2:02 PM EDT

Linked to campaigns: Rick Noriega for US Senator from Texas

(Disclaimer: This post is from a Noriega campaign press release. I do not work for Rick Noriega's campaign, but I am an intern at Democracy for America.)

"Many times throughout my lifetime I have sworn an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. This isn't a part-time Constitution. We as a nation cannot grant anyone sweeping amnesty if they break the rules. It's appalling that my opponent, John Cornyn, puts his special interest campaign contributors ahead of the Constitution. Texans have had enough.

Americans will not accept an abuse of power, and they will not accept corporations getting away with breaking the law.

We already have a law in place that balances national security concerns while adhering to the Constitution. This is not the time to compromise the privacy of the American people and not the time to disregard the Constitution of United States. I regret that the Senate has voted this way."

Cornyn's Choice: Stand Up for Texas Families or Continue to Side with Special Interests

Written by: Tegan R on Jun 4, 2008 3:00 PM EDT

Linked to campaigns: Rick Noriega for US Senator from Texas

(Press release from Rick Noriega's website)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:  Holly Shulman (713) 857-9637                                          
Resha Thomas (713) 621-7425
DATE: June 3, 2008                                                          

Houston, TX – Gas prices remain at record levels at a time when Americans are struggling to pay for groceries and racking up record credit card debt. Today Texas gas prices hit the highest prices ever seen in the state, averaging $3.85 for a gallon of regular gas and the national average also hit the highest price on record, averaging $3.978.  [AAA Fuel Gauge report, 6/3/08] Yet, Senator John Cornyn has refused to take real action to help Texas families. Melissa Noriega, wife of U.S. Senate candidate Rick Noriega, is one of several supporters who are "filling Rick's boots" while he is on active duty with the Texas Army National Guard this week. She previously filled in for her husband in the Texas State House while he was serving Afghanistan.

The Climate Security Act under consideration in the Senate this week provides real solutions to the short term and long term problems facing Texas families. It will boost the economy by providing immediate tax relief to consumers struggling with high gas prices and by creating millions of good jobs. It will strengthen America's security by reducing dependence on foreign oil and the nations that export it. And it will restore America as a leading innovator in energy technology, putting the country on a path for cleaner, healthier future.

"Texas is well positioned to lead in innovative alternative energies – we've already emerged as a leader in wind energy," said Melissa Noriega.  "It's time for a Texas Senator who will break with old style politics and instead stand for policies that will help Texas families now and our future generations. My husband Rick Noriega will do just that."

Oil prices have quadrupled and gas prices have more than doubled during Senator Cornyn's time in the Senate. The impact of the increased gas prices is making headlines today with the announcement from General Motors that increased gas prices would force the closure of American auto plants, affecting thousands of workers. And Texas Prison Guards in rural counties testified recently before the Texas Senate Committee on Criminal Justice that they cannot afford to drive to work.

"Today John Cornyn said that he is hearing from Texans about the high gas prices they are facing at the pump. John Cornyn has a choice:  help Texas families by voting for the Climate Security Act which includes $800 billion in tax relief to help consumers afford increasing energy costs or stand idly by as Texas families struggle to pay at the pump," said Tony Gray, of the Rick Noriega for Senate campaign.

"Time and time again John Cornyn has failed to stand up for Texas families, instead caving to pressure from corporate special interests looking to line their pockets. Texas families deserve better. Instead of looking out for his buddies in the Big Oil and Gas industry who have donated more to Cornyn than almost any other Senator, it's time Texas families had a real advocate for them in the U.S. Senate," added Gray.

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Fill Rick's Boots

Written by: Tegan R on Jun 2, 2008 2:43 PM EDT

Linked to campaigns: Rick Noriega for US Senator from Texas

(Email from Melissa Noriega, for Rick Noriega's Senate campaign.)

This week and the next, my husband Rick Noriega will take leave of his campaign to perform mandatory National Guard Annual Training (AT).

During this time, I will be joined by several prominent Texans in the effort to "Fill Rick's Boots" on the campaign trail.

Each of us has agreed to give several hours of our time to raise funds for Rick's campaign while he is away. I'm honored to fill in for my husband. And I am hoping you will join me and help us "Fill Rick's Boots."

We've set an ambitious $50,000 online fundraising goal for the 2 weeks that he's gone, and there are 2 ways you can help right now:

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Cornyn Failed Our Troops

Written by: Tegan R on Jun 2, 2008 11:50 AM EDT

Linked to campaigns: Rick Noriega for US Senator from Texas

(Press Release from Rick Noriega's campaign, May 22, 2008.)

HOUSTON, TX – U.S. Senate candidate and Texas State Representative Rick Noriega, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Texas Army National Guard, applauded the Senate passage of the bipartisan Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Act which would cover full in-state tuition at public universities for veterans.

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), however, failed to support the bipartisan GI bill that passed the House of Representatives and the Senate and is supported by most leading veterans organizations. Cornyn was one of only 22 Senators to oppose the bipartisanly supported bill and on the Senate floor he went a step further signaling his support for a presidential veto of the expanded benefits for veterans.

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Cornyn Hides Behind Troops

Written by: Tegan R on Jun 2, 2008 11:48 AM EDT

Linked to campaigns: Rick Noriega for US Senator from Texas

(Press Release from Rick Noriega's campaign, May 19, 2008.)

HOUSTON, TX -- Texans are looking for straight talk and respect for those who have served their country and John Cornyn is not giving it to them, said U.S. Senate candidate and State Representative Rick Noriega. Cornyn refuses to support the bipartisan GI bill that passed the House of Representatives and is supported by the majority of the Senate and instead distorts the facts about his voting record on veterans issues in a Mexia Daily News op-ed .

"As a veteran and a Texan, I am ashamed by Senator Cornyn's refusal to support the bipartisan Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Act that would give our brave men and women the kind of GI Bill education benefit they deserve," said Noriega, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Texas Army National Guard. "Texans deserve a real leader in Washington who will fight for those who have fought for their country."

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Netroots Groundswell Bolsters Noriega Senate Campaign

Written by: Tegan R on Jun 2, 2008 11:45 AM EDT

Linked to campaigns: Rick Noriega for US Senator from Texas

Houston, TX -- Texas State Representative Rick Noriega's campaign to unseat Republican U.S. Senator John Cornyn is receiving tremendous encouragement from the online community. A favorite of the Texas blogosphere, Noriega was launched into the limelight with the "Draft Noriega for Senate" campaign started by Texas Netroots. Noriega's campaign continues to gain steam on blogs all across the nation after two new independent polls found the Texas Senate race in a dead heat.

Bloggers and the netroots across the country are uniting behind Noriega to help get Rick's story out to the voters of Texas and aid in the campaign's fundraising efforts. Because of his outstanding record of public service, both as a National Guardsman who served in Afghanistan and as a representative in the Texas legislature, internet publications are enthusiastically promoting Noriega as the man to win in November.  He is touted as a candidate who could invigorate the Democratic Party, not only in the historically conservative state of Texas, but in the country as a whole.

"The campaign is excited by the positive feedback from the online community," said Tony Gray, campaign spokesperson for Rick Noriega for Texas. "The blogosphere is a powerful democratizing force through which the campaign and our supporters are reaching out to the public, articulating Rick's message and generating support and funds. We are encouraged that the online community here in Texas shares our commitment to bringing real change and real solutions to Texas and the nation."

"Conventional wisdom in Washington said that Texas was unwinnable for a democrat, but recent polls have proven that Texans are ready for Rick Noriega. We urge Rick's netroots supporters to break out their cameras and post video testimonials explaining why they support Rick Noriega and why they believe he can win in Texas this year."

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