At a time when thoughtful debates about national policy are too often impossible in Washington's partisan and acrimonious environment, I was heartened to learn that General Ric Sanchez is running for the U.S. Senate in Texas. Ric served under me in the Army, and rarely have I served with a more competent, intelligent, and morally courageous man.
Those qualities became clear when General Sanchez served under me in Kosovo in a very difficult, complex environment. His experience in Kosovo was vital when General Sanchez was named the commander of coalition forces in Iraq, which was perhaps one of the most complex and difficult missions since World War II. The political leadership in Washington had failed across the board to create a strategy to get Iraq back on its feet, creating dire economic conditions and resentment that fueled the growing insurgency. U.S. forces were being drawn down just as the insurgency started to grow. Throughout this increasingly complex mission, his headquarters were dramatically under-resourced, General Sanchez led with honor, protected his troops, and worked tirelessly to complete his mission.
When the suspension of the Geneva Conventions created an unconstrained interrogation environment, General Sanchez didn't shy away from command responsibility. Within weeks of taking command, Sanchez issued orders mandating compliance with the Geneva Conventions to all forces under his command and aggressively began investigating every incident of abuse. When the ugly events at Abu Ghraib occurred, he immediately requested an independent investigation that included a review of his own actions. All of the investigations cleared him of any wrongdoing.
Sanchez has always had the courage to do what's right. A deeply religious man, Sanchez lives his life by a strict moral code. Throughout the challenges of his military career, including difficult assignments in the first Gulf War, Kosovo, and while in Iraq, he demonstrated great strength of character at every level. That commitment to doing what is right -- rather than what is expedient -- is sorely needed in Washington today.
While serving America, Sanchez saw firsthand how too often our national interests are harmed by politicians in Washington more concerned with their own political interests. Ric Sanchez will be a different kind of senator. Sanchez will bring an independent, common-sense approach and his Texas values to the U.S. Senate. His life story is a testament to the opportunity that exists only in America. As a senator, I know he will make his first fight about ensuring that those same opportunities are available to future generations of Texans. His first and only guiding principle will be to always do what is best for Texas, our nation and our people.
Washington could use a few leaders who care more about moving our country forward than about winning the next election. Texas will benefit from having a leader with the courage to always do what's right, and the competence to get it done. I am glad Ric Sanchez is running, and he has my full support.
NO matter how they may spin his service in Iraq, he was in charge and will be painted with that brush. It is time for progressive Texans to stand together and work with locally chosen candidates not others chosen by the national leaders that let this state go Bright Red while taking money out of Texas for other states build their blue base. In case you do not know, only California gave more money to out of state candidates than Texas. If we don't start investing in our own candidates here we will never build a real party again.
He has this Caucasian's vote though.
{{{Fanned}}}
Semper Fi
No Democrat has won ANY state-wide election in Texas in over 15 years. That's not going to change this year. Sorry, Sanchez, take your extreme left-wing baggage to someplace that may appreciate it. lol
And, by the way, Texas picks up an additional 4 House seats in 2013 which means at least 3 additional Republicans in congress. And 4 additional electoral votes for the Republican presidential candidate.
Although your historical comment above is correct about when Texas joined the Union, it misses the point that many ethnic Mexicans became Texans when that new country was formed. They didn't just get up and leave and they were the majority of people in that independent country of Texas. There were not that many Caucasians here yet.
As far as amnesty, the first amnesty back in the 80's was under a Republican president and did not hurt this country one little bit. It is past time that people live here and are contributing members to our society and we still cast them as criminals.
As I hold told many a time, I would never let a river separate me from providing a good life for my children. If all it took was crossing a river, count me in. That river I would cross and I bet you would to.
Then you need to study a little Texas history. At the time of the Texas revolution there were about 5K native Mexicans in Tejas. The reason that Mexico was recruiting Anglos to come into Tejas was that Mexicans weren't populating it. The Anglo population in Tejas at the time was about 20k and there were about 30K Commanches.
And finally the native Mexican population of Tejas was split during the revolution with many joining the Anglos in the revolution. In fact, several native Mexicans died in the Alamo fighting on the side of the revolution. Several great Texas heroes of the time were native Mexicans such as Juan Sequin.
And members of the U.S. Armed Forces have for many years and do today vote overwhelmingly Republican. That's exactly why Al Gore tried to have their votes thrown out in Florida in 2000.
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/nov/09/nation/na-assess9
http://www.texasmonthly.com/preview/2008-05-01/btl
http://www.texastribune.org/texas-politics/texas-political-news/can-barack-obama-win-texas-in-2012/
Read 'em and weep, Republicans.