IT'S OFFICIAL PRESIDENT CLINTON IN EL PASO FOR CONGRESSMAN REYES!!

(updated 5:30pmish)

LET THE POLITICAL PING PONG BEGIN!!

Next week, former President Bill Clinton will make a CAMPAIGN STOP for Congressman Silvestre Reyes.  This is not a drive by scenario where they make a pit stop while doing other "official business" and "squeeze in" a visit, THIS IS AN ENDORSEMENT STOP FOR THE CONGRESSMAN.

And it is a big deal for the Congressman, because the Clintons (Bill and Secretary of State Hillary, as well as Chelsea) are the most popular Democratic political figures in El Paso. And the El Paso Clinton base is die hard loyal.

Four years ago, when the El Paso Democratic Party Convention was being held at UTEP, a thousand plus Clintonites took verbal orders, made phone calls, and read on line directions on "how to become a Clinton Delegate" and help Hillary make it to the White House.  It was a county convention like I have never witnessed before.  I being an Obama supporter, and the first elected official in Texas to support Obama, was on the receiving end (with the 29% Obama Delegates in El Paso County) of a political beating by the disciplined delegates and party officials who were hard core Clintonites, taking order from the Clinton Machine.  And machine it was!  At Democratic County and State Conventions across America, the Clinton Machine dictated a calculated strategy to Clinton generals and lieutenants who organized the troops including denying credentials to Obama delegates, bullying tactics at precinct conventions, and altering or ignoring the rules in order to put Obama Delegates at a disadvantage. The denying of the appropriate number of El Paso Obama Delegates to the state convention resulted in a challenge at the state level where Obama Delegates had to fight to get their 28% allotment.  We eventually won the challenge due to the legal work of John Padalino, Mike Torres and Don Williams (in that order). Don would claim to be the victor of this challenge, but it was Padalino and Torres who wrote the challenge, Don in his forced way of "getting his way" presented the well written challenge.

Because of the terse energy prior to the convention, I PAID an independent film videographer to have the entire convention video recorded.  In fact, I hold the only tapes of that convention.  The tapes were used to win the challenge at the state level to seat the El Paso Delegates and are pretty telling on some local Democrats and the lengths they would go to for the Clintons and for personal political gain.  Although the Obama Delegates were equally disciplined, it was hard ball on the convention floor, and the raving committed Clinton Delegates out numbered the Obama Delegates with 70% of the convention hall for Clinton and only 28% for Obama.

I have been to every El Paso County Democratic Convention since 1992 and to this date, there has never been a convention like 2008.  I bring this up, because this a Democratic National Convention year and it will be held on September 3rd, in Charlotte, North Carolina.  In fact the El Paso County Democratic Convention will be held this Saturday, April 21st at Jefferson High School, and trust me the topic of conversation is going to be "President Bill Clinton is coming to endorse Congressman Silvestre Reyes".

So, my political assessment of the Robert "Beto" O'Rourke response to Clinton coming is "it doesn't matter what you say" EL PASO IS A CLINTON TOWN!.  It didn't matter what we Obama Delegates said about the rules, about being fair, about apportionment based on election returns, the Clinton Machine does what the Clinton Machine asks.  And the Clinton Machine is asking people in El Paso to VOTE FOR CONGRESSMAN SILVESTRE REYES.  It is a big deal.

And this blog post is not to marginalize in any way  President Barack Obama's endorsement today of Congressman Silvestre Reyes.  It is a one-two punch to the O'Rourke Campaign and a message - - - two former political adversaries, the most accomplished and popular to date - President Clinton, and the most powerful man in the world - President Obama, are supporting our Congressman.  What more can a sitting Congressman ask for!!

Sorry, but two presidents don't throw their support to a Congressman that has corruption looming in the background.  Just doesn't happen.  Plus the most powerful man in the world went on RECORD in Cartagena, Columbia and stated his clear position that he is not for the legalization of drugs!!

The race is on!  But the Congressman pulled two HUGE endorsements and it is a statement.  Two Americans bestowed with the power to lead our nation, trust and support Silvestre Reyes for another term in Congress.  (It is unfortunate that an elected official in El Paso tried to steer Clinton off course. But that is for another blog!)

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Political Heavyweights Secretary of Defense and Minority Leader and former Speaker of the House in EP

Congressman Silvestre Reyes is wisely using his seniority and Democratic Party position in the US House of Representatives to start and bring in a flood of powerful Cabinet Members to El Paso on policy issues.  Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Minority Leader/former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi have brought a one-two punch for the sitting Congressman.

Secretary Panetta, concluding a 2 day stay in El Paso, visiting the troops and Ft. Bliss, and commenting on the decision making power of Congressman Reyes on defense issues, is a major statement. They don't just walk into a community for a mayor or county judge, the sitting Member in Congress must be a respected member of the US House of Representatives.  In addition, Secretary Panetta had to delicately deal with the crisis and political discussion and consequences of American Armed Forces urinating on the bodies of deceased Taliban members from Ft. Bliss, as the scandal broke.  Staying on message with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the scandal, he still maintained his strong vocal position and important support of Ft. Bliss as a strategic and vitally important base in the nation.  Do not let the newspaper scare you into thinking that Ft. Bliss will be negatively impacted pending proposed cuts and that a freshman Congressman can save the day (won't happen).  His statement was more of a clear indication that once again, as there is realignment, Ft. Bliss could be a major benefactor.

Tonight, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, the first female Speaker of the US House of Representatives, shares her time with Congressman Reyes and area Democrats, as guest speaker of the El Paso Democratic Party Hall of Fame banquet (looking forward to this). She is known as a tough political woman and was the Speaker who appointed Congressman Silvestre Reyes as a Chair of a standing committee of the US House of Representatives. Although Democrats are no longer in power, she is arguably THE most powerful Democrat in Congress, definitely the most powerful Democratic woman in power, second to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Expect the Clinton clan including President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Clinton (in her role as Secretary), and Chelsea to come to the political bench of Congressman Reyes, more than once. Congressman Reyes, has played his game extremely well to solidly have the Democratic political powerhouse of the Clinton's in his corral.  The Clinton's are fiercely loyal and they never forget a friend! President Clinton, an important ally for President Barack Obama's re-election, is a fierce campaigner who will bring thousands of voters for Congressman Reyes's Primary (whenever that it is).  In addition, President Clinton, is a Party loyalist and when he speaks, people listen (Congressional candidates take note).  No DINO's (Democrats In Name Only) will cut into this loyal base!

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