A taste below the flip, and then I hope you'll join me on www.draftricknoriega.com to help us build a campaign that proves what the grassroots combined with democratic institutions can do.

From the man I hope will be the next United States Senator from Texas, Rick Noriega:

Why, on the first Independence Day I have spent at home in four years, would I risk a safe legislative seat, take a leave of absence from my job, sell property to lend money to a campaign.  Why would I ask my family to allow me to be gone again? 

Why?  Because as Americans, it is our duty to stand up and speak when things have gone off the rails.  It is in our very fabric, our soul; it is God's requirement of us as heirs to the legacy of this country, to exercise the right to speak out as our forefathers taught us. 

Our nation is headed in the wrong direction.  It is lead by those whose choice is to divide Americans to maintain power.  It is the vision of the powerful that are either unwilling or unable to unite people, to foster common ground for the common good. 

We as a nation have been the envy of the world when we have maintained our moral compass.  I believe we have begun to let that slip away. 

I confess I'm particularly thrilled by this next bit, because this is exactly why I wanted to draft  Rick Noriega.

This day reminds us of our legacy as Americans to stand up when things have gone wrong. This call to duty runs in our veins lives in our very bones, as both Texans and Americans.  The thing that has always pushed my button is bullies.  I have always been compelled to step in when wrongs are being perpetrated, when a group is headed in the wrong direction.

The draft effort asking me to run for the United States Senate has been an astounding honor.  I and my entire family are humbled by it.  We have prayed about this call.  We have asked God every day that if we undertake this immense and necessary task, that it is for the right reasons.  That I meet this challenge for God, for Texas and for the country we share and love, not for myself.

Time to move out.

 Join us on Draft Rick Noriega .  We have a campaign to support, and a country to take back.

links: digg this    del.icio.us    technorati    reddit