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by Greg_Groogan from Houston

Last Post 15 days, 17 hours Ago


The 500
May 9, 2008 | 11:50 AM
Category: Political
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500 - that's how many Texans were part of a Rassmussen survey that inspired the pollster to declare incumbent U.S. Senator John Cornyn "vulnerable."

The findings darn sure caught our attention. The May 1st gauge has Cornyn just three percentage points ahead of Democrat Rick Noriega, an Afghan War veteran and state lawmaker, little known outside the city limits of Houston.

With limited name ID and no personal fortune to tap Noriega's task of of unseating Cornyn seems gargantuan in a state that hasn't sent a Democrat to the Senate since Lloyd Bensten.

But the answers of Rasmussen's 500 scientifically selected respondents could just be the kind of spark that can ignite a smoldering insurgency.

The "within striking distance numbers" would seem to be the kind of data Lt. Col. Noreiga's folks can take to big donors here in the Lone Star State and across the country.

The demographics are compelling - Noreiga is a slam dunk to get the lions-share of the Texas Hispanic vote. That's a no-brainer. But Noreiga should also harvest the down ballot benefit of an enormous African-American turn-out drawn by Barack Obama at the top of the ticket.

Consider also that Noreiga, the moderate, probably has more in common politically with John McCain than with the left leaning Senator from Illinois. (Noriega may disagree, but not to vehemently).

It's the kind of positioning that could draw plenty of independents in the "mushy middle" of the Texas electorate, folks looking for a change and comfortable with the idea of a Senator from each party representing the Lone Star State. These are some of the same voters that could comfortably vote McCain for president, Noriega for senate.

What Noreiga doesn't have is much notoriety and that's why money will be so critical. TV ads - lots of TV ads.

John Cornyn will have plenty of bank and a well organized party machine backing him. But he's also been at the helm as foreclosures escalate, rising gas prices eat up a bigger chunk of paychecks, immigration remains an intractable mess and American blood continues spilling in Iraq, for reasons that elude many here at home.

We may well look back at the 500 as nothing more than a foot note.

But maybe not.

 
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Member Comments Total Comments: 8
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PBMom read my blog view my photos
May 9, 2008 | 6:56 PM

I'm feeling so disappointed by Congress and our state legislature that I'm willing to (with few exceptions) vote for whoever is not the incumbent just so we can possibly get some change in this state and in this country. We need new blood.
redtractortom read my blog
May 12, 2008 | 9:13 PM

Greg, sometimes I wonder if this kind of stuff happens to wake up the politician holding the office to let him/her know they aren't invulnerable! But, it's a good idea to scare the BLEEP out of them so they will actually work for the people of the state.

I too am disappointed in how our Congress is handling our Country. I have tried to get something going to get our Country off foreign oil but noone cares except the ones paying the high prices. Congress gets an expense allowance so they don't care. I even tried a couple of big corperations without any luck. I have the idea but not the money to build it. I would be driving one now if I did!
Greg_Groogan read my blog
May 12, 2008 | 11:25 PM

Red - can you give us a hint ? Sounds like a possible story. We are planning a bunch of coverage on the impending energy crisis.
redtractortom read my blog
May 13, 2008 | 3:27 PM

I had sent it in one time and didn't hear anything so I figured it wasn't worth anyones trouble. But I have spoken to several people and all have agreed it will work. I can care less who builds it but something has to be done and done soon before all of us are not going anywhere because of fuel cost.

The technology has been here all along and maybe someone has thought about it before but never said anything. After working in a power plant for almost 30 years and retiring an idea came to me how to solve this mess.

See what you think? America has been trying to adapt an automobile to use batteries and will only operate for so long, before needing a re-charge, right? With advances in technology of today whats the problem with utilizing a DC electric motor with a small generator attached to one end of the shaft and the other end shaft connected to a transmission then to the read end or even a transaxle for front wheel drive? DC electric motors have been around for well over 75 years and operate for years without maintenance as long as the bearing have oil. German subs used them and ran them from batteries. If they would have known how to utilize a generator on the motor as well we may all be speaking German today. Plus the capabilities are also there to speed up and slow down the motor with rehostats or electronics available today.

Benefits:
1. No fuel
2. No pollution
3. No poison anti-freeze
4. No oil except for the bearings and drivetrain.
5. Never re-charge once initially charged
6. Unlimited size capability and HP
7. Adaptable for 18 wheelers
plus others I
redtractortom read my blog
May 13, 2008 | 3:34 PM

Non-benefits:
1. Produces H2 gas while batteries are charging so battery compartment would be seperate and vented to outside.
2. Batteries would be costly when needing to be replaced.

But with the available motor voltages of 6, 12, 24, 48, 125 and 250V the uses are unlimited.

As I said in the first part, I could care less who builds it but something has to be done now and not in 10 years! All the thing about increase fuel milage to 35 something or other by 2012 did was PO me. We should not be needing foreign oil well before that year.
Greg_Groogan read my blog
May 13, 2008 | 3:49 PM

I'm gonna share this with my auto tech producer - and see what he thinks.
The idea is intriguing.
redtractortom read my blog
May 13, 2008 | 6:03 PM

That sounds great. At least someone will look at the idea and see if there is merit and whether it will work as I believe. Cause an engineer I'm not! Just someone who worked with DC motors and batteries for all those years.

Thanks Greg
redtractortom read my blog
May 13, 2008 | 10:35 PM

Something I forgot to add in my post. I wrote to John Cornyn myself and nothing. Plus I have written to Westinghouse and GE along with the Electric Power Research Institute in California. Nothing from them either, so maybe I'm crazy to believe it would work or they are working to patent it themselves. I just want someone to fix our Country's problem. Plus I don't care if I PO someone to get something started. They can get over hurt feelings but we can't get over the glutton oil barons overseas without some kind of fix!
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Greg_Groogan

For as long as I can remember, all I've cared about is telling stories about Texans and what matters to them. These days that's pretty much all I do, so I guess I'm livin' the dream. Toss in 2 toddlers and a wife and my life is full to the brim. I'm greedy, I know there are great untold stories out there and I want them all. Help me do it.

Member Since: 3/20/2007


 

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