Were you not able to be in San Antonio for the get-out-the-vote rally with Bill Clinton and Henry Cisneros? Have no fear, PM Bryant was there, and he’s got pictures and video from the event for you. A quick review of what took place:
Performing were well-known Tejano musicians Los Texmaniacs and Johnny Canales, and speaking was a long list of prominent local Democratic politicians, from Congressman Charlie Gonzalez, to newly-elected state senator Carlos Uresti, to former mayor and former Clinton HUD secretary Henry Cisneros. Uresti’s speech was short and sweet, amounting to a brief cheerleading session. Cisneros took a different approach with a rabble-rousing diatrabe against Henry Bonilla’s treachery and in favor of Ciro Rodriguez’s character.
The stars of the show were, of course, Ciro Rodriguez and President Bill Clinton, who entered the stage together. Ciro introduced the former leader of the free world, who then gave typical strong performance. Clinton’s take-home message is that this election is going to be all about turnout–who wants it more. He asked us in the crowd if we wanted to join the 29 districts who ousted Republicans in favor of Democrats, or if we would be join the list of 10 or 11 districts that came up just a percentage point short. The crowd’s answer was loud and clear.
Jaime Castillo says that momentum favors Ciro right now:
The signs of a tight horserace are now too many to discount.
They include:
Bonilla’s late decision to not only go negative in TV and radio ads, but to go with over-the-top spots that paint Rodriguez as having terrorist ties;
The continued involvement of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee with personnel, polls and expensive ads on behalf of Rodriguez;
Bonilla’s decision not to ignore, but to run a response to a critical DCCC spot that says Bonilla voted eight times to give himself a raise (The Bonilla ad says Rodriguez voted four times for congressional pay hikes);
And, finally, President Clinton’s swing through San Antonio on Sunday on behalf of Rodriguez.
Unless this race is close, none of those things happen.
Bonilla wouldn’t go negative. The national Democrats wouldn’t stick around. And Clinton would certainly have something better to do on the Sabbath than stump for a lost cause in San Antonio.
The early vote also suggests things are tight. We’ll know tomorrow. Meanwhile, you can still phonebank for Ciro if you’re not in CD23 and want to help.