Cisneros gives backing to Kerry in Democratic presidential race

Henry Cisneros, a popular Hispanic Democrat and housing secretary in the Clinton administration, said Friday that he is backing Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts for his party's nomination for president.

"I support John Kerry," he said, weighing in for the first time publicly on the crowded Democratic field. "I think he has the potential to take us the farthest."

Mr. Cisneros also said he believes that President Bush is vulnerable next year because he has "endangered the economy" and demonstrated a "bellicose approach to international relations."

"Many legitimate policy questions can be put before the American people in 2004. "I don't know if they're enough for Democrats to win, but I do believe they're legitimate and the American people will consider them. And I think it's going to be a very close election," Mr. Cisneros said after meeting with the editorial board of The Dallas Morning News.

In Washington, deputy White House press secretary Scott McClellan disputed Mr. Cisneros's assertions about Mr. Bush.

"He's taken decisive action in leading a coalition to win the war on terrorism," Mr. McClellan said, "and in passing a growth plan that will help create new jobs for Americans at home."

Mr. Cisneros, the former mayor of San Antonio, acknowledged that Mr. Bush will carry his home state in the 2004 general election but said Mr. Kerry could win the Texas Democratic primary next March – a big boost in a big state for a candidate trying to break out of the pack.

"His defense record and his war record should resonate with Democrats in Texas," he said of Mr. Kerry, a four-term senator and decorated Navy veteran. "He's a serious student of public policy, I think his record in Vietnam demonstrates personal courage, but mostly I think he's an intelligent person who's been tested in close elections."

The Cisneros endorsement could help Mr. Kerry among Hispanics, expected to make up a chunk of the primary vote in Texas and in New Mexico and Arizona, two Southwestern states with elections in early February.

Mr. Kerry said in a statement he is "extremely grateful" to have Mr. Cisneros' support.

"Henry has served our country at the very highest levels of government and business, but as a former mayor also understands the needs of cities and local communities," he said. "He brings a wealth of experience on important issues such as creating jobs, finding affordable housing for families and expanding economic growth and prosperity for all Americans.

"I am proud to have his help and support in this campaign to make America stronger, safer and more secure."

Mr. Cisneros said he expects New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson to be considered for vice president, no matter who becomes the Democratic presidential nominee.

"It just makes so much sense," he said. "The governor of a Western state, who happens to be Hispanic, at a time when Latinos are growing the way they are." Like Mr. Cisneros, Mr. Richardson was a Cabinet member for President Bill Clinton.

Mr. Cisneros said he would help Mr. Kerry in Texas but doubted that he would be as active on the campaign trail as he has in the past because of business commitments. After quitting as president of the Univisión Spanish-language TV network, he became chief executive officer of American City Vista, a partnership that develops homes in inner-city neighborhoods.

He hasn't held elected office since 1989 and pleaded guilty in 1999 to a misdemeanor charge that he lied to the FBI about payments to a former mistress. Mr. Clinton pardoned him in January 2001.

Mr. Cisneros said Friday that he has no plans to return to politics. "I'm very happy with my life as it is now. My life is in great harmony."

When tempted by politics, he said, "I think about what it felt like carrying the weight of a whole city and never having a moment that I wasn't feeling stressed."

He said that that despite Mr. Bush's lead in polls, the Democratic nomination "is definitely worth having. There are those who think this is a scenario where President Bush will roll through the election, and I just don't see that.".

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In the upcoming democratic primary (2004) ...

BIG AL NEEDS OUR HELP! - Register as a democrat and vote for Crazy Al!

Rev. Al Sharpton is officially running for president in 2004.

During the May 3, 2003 demoncrap debate in Columbia, S.C., our man Al stated “The way to move a donkey is to slap the donkey,” and “I’m going to slap the donkey until the donkey kicks”.

Let’s help Crazy Al slap the donkey until it kicks.

Assume GW has the Republican nomination sewn up. Its time for all good republicans, libertarians, and independents to stand up and be counted. Lets take a page from Sen. McCain’s play book. Prior to the 2004 democratic presidential primary in your state, re-register as a democrat and vote for Al Sharpton!

Wouldn’t it be great if Crazy Al won! At the very least, lets ensure he gets prime time speaking rights at the 2004 nationally televised democratic convention. You gotta love it. Line up, sign up, and send this to all your like-minded friends.

Check here for the rules governing primary voting in your state:
http://www.fec.gov/votregis/primaryvoting.htm

In case you’d like to send Big Al a donation:
http://www.sharptonexplore2004.com/

Anyone need a bumper sticker or button?
http://democraticbuttons.freeservers.com/

How about an Al Sharpton yard sign?
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/victorystore00/pryasi.html

Oh yea, and don’t forget to call the local demoncrap party headquarters and ask them the following before the primary election:

1. Can I get a ride to the polls – help them spend their money during the primaries so they’ll have less during the national election. Have them take you the scenic route and stop off and do some shopping on the way home.
2. Are you giving anything away free for voting democrat? Cigarettes, box of cigars, box lunch, etc. Ask for two of each.
3. Send 25 cents in the mail to the DNC and watch how much they spend on mailing you to give to the party. Always send their solicitation back to them with all associated literature in the prepaid envelope included in the mailing. They have to pay that postage upon return. Great way to help them spend money and keep you up to date on their propaganda.
4. Can you think of any other questions we should ask them?

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