But Ms. Wallace wasn’t waiting on Noriega to turn up the heat on his opponent - Republican Sen. John Cornyn.
“What has he done other than support George Bush?” Ms. Wallace asked, pointing out Cornyn voted more than 90 percent of the time with the president.
When Noriega arrived, he concurred with the feisty Ms. Wallace, and said Cornyn was running for reelection to “climb the partisan ladder.” Noriega, a four-term Texas representative from Houston, said one-party rule, from 2000-2006, in Washington had failed Texas families.
Now that it is possible the tables might turn - the Democrats could win the White House and secure majorities in both the House and Senate - Noriega said he would not vote the party line.
“Regardless who’s in the chair, in the executive office, the idea is not a U.S. senator serves the president, and that’s where the breakdown has been,” Noriega said. “The idea is a senator from Texas stands up for the people of the state of Texas. That’s who the boss is. Not the executive branch. I’m saying I’m going to vote for Texas.”
On policy, Noriega criticized Cornyn for voting for the bailout bill and a border wall. Cornyn’s campaign office issued a statement that said Noriega didn’t speak out on either issue until after the vote.
“Rep. Noriega might explain today whether he believes leadership requires being up front and out front on critical issues,” a Cornyn press release said.
Regarding Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska - recently convicted on seven felony counts of hiding gifts and renovation work worth more than $250,00 - Cornyn told the Telegram on Tuesday that since he is a ranking member of the Senate Ethics Committee he shouldn’t comment whether Stevens should lose his seat because the matter is still pending.
Noriega said he would vote to remove Stevens from the Senate, and Cornyn’s answer was “wishy-washy.”
“I think it’s unfortunate that Sen. Cornyn would say that. We have a breakdown in trust in our government right now. He’s the person that’s consistently said he’s for transparency and ethics,” Noriega said.
Before leaving, Noriega urged his supporters, who have mostly voted early, to get out and campaign.
“Maintain that fire in the belly for the next 100 hours. Go out and get four more votes … and we will be pleasantly pleased.”
