East Texas

BY PHILLIP WILLIAMS
Special Correspondent

GILMER -- U.S. Senate candidate Rick Noriega blasted his opponent, incumbent Republican John Cornyn, in a speech to an Upshur County Democratic Party rally here Saturday night.

Speaking to about 75 people by the

Tyler Morning Telegraph's count, Noriega criticized Cornyn's voting record on issues ranging from children's insurance to the recent $700 emergency economic act.

"He's going to come over here to East Texas and do the Texas two-step about how he wanted to do this, but he did this. ... (He cast) votes that have consistently hurt Texas families," Noreiga said, a state representative in the Texas House.

Specifically, the Democratic candidate said Cornyn voted six times against expanding the federal children's health insurance program, and that the senator has protected HMOs and insurance companies rather than stand up for Texas children.

Noriega also said Cornyn voted against letting the federal government negotiate with pharmaceutical companies to obtain cheaper medications for veterans and others.

"How is it that you do not stand up when we have a broken health care system?" Noriega said.

The Democratic nominee also assailed the "irresponsible" economic act which Cornyn voted to approve last week. Noriega charged that Congress gave away $700 billion of "your money" with no plan for executing the act.

Listing the numerous tax breaks given under the legislation -- such as those for motor racing track facilities, bicycle commuters, and a rum excise tax -- Noriega said, "That is what we have all just been asked to do by the junior senator from this state."

He elicited groans from the audience when he mentioned the $192 million rum excise tax break.

Noriega also addressed the issue of energy, saying he believed billionaire T. Boone Pickens has "about got it right" on his proposal to use solar energy and biofuels.

The Democratic candidate also said gasoline prices have soared since Cornyn took office, and "the first challenge that must be overcome is that we must replace John Cornyn in the United States Senate."