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otohara

(24,135 posts)
Sat Apr 16, 2016, 05:35 PM Apr 2016

Texas Democrats defend Julián Castro From You Know

The Texas Democratic Party fired back Tuesday to defend Julián Castro after a number of progressive groups targeted the secretary of housing and urban development's fitness to be on the presidential ticket.

“Julian Castro has been a progressive champion for our families for years," Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement (all emphases in the original). "From championing Pre-K for San Antonio so every child -- even those in the poorest barrios of San Antonio -- can get ahead to passing a non-discrimination ordinance so that every person can feel safe and welcome in their city, Castro has a long-standing and indisputable record of progressive accomplishment."

POLITICO reported Tuesday on a coalition of groups, many of which are supporting Bernie Sanders, launching a preemptive campaign against Castro to disqualify him from consideration as Hillary Clinton's running mate.
“He’s been working hard to revitalize cities across America and making sure everyone has a shot at the American Dream," Hinojosa's statement continued. “Julian’s story and that of his brother Joaquin is a uniquely American story and one we should all be proud of," Hinojosa said, referring to the Castro's brother, who represents Texas' 20th congressional district. "Texas Democrats would be honored to stand by Julian Castro as the next Vice President. Que dios los bendiga.”
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Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2016/04/julian-castro-defended-texas-democrats-221846#ixzz461mu1SpB
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45 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Texas Democrats defend Julián Castro From You Know (Original Post) otohara Apr 2016 OP
I thought Sanders supporters were adamant that Sanders will win. Agnosticsherbet Apr 2016 #1
They know liberal N proud Apr 2016 #4
I have to agree SharonClark Apr 2016 #10
Those who are disrupters were never Democrats BlueMTexpat Apr 2016 #17
It will not be their first failure and without any success. Thinkingabout Apr 2016 #21
Starting with their perfidious, deceitful leader. What a fifth column guerilla and, dare I say, Surya Gayatri Apr 2016 #26
That is the only logical conclusion. LiberalFighter Apr 2016 #32
Looks like! pandr32 Apr 2016 #37
When You Have Michael Moore Tweeting otohara Apr 2016 #5
Just WTH does tweets like thos going to help. The Sanders campaign did not Thinkingabout Apr 2016 #22
Sigh... LannyDeVaney Apr 2016 #30
That is exactly right. LiberalFighter Apr 2016 #34
I got news for Bernie supporters leftofcool Apr 2016 #2
Yes she will, it will be her judgement and will be good. Thinkingabout Apr 2016 #23
Sanders is becoming less qualified as time goes on. LiberalFighter Apr 2016 #35
Is there any Democrat... yallerdawg Apr 2016 #3
Yes, the few who endorsed Sanders SharonClark Apr 2016 #8
This line of attack is so discouraging mcar Apr 2016 #6
Fighting among Latino groups and what is effective? SharonClark Apr 2016 #7
It's ridiculous to attack banks for buying foreclosed mortgages. OilemFirchen Apr 2016 #13
The plot thickens... SharonClark Apr 2016 #9
Rep Grijalva is behind this crap. Oh yes, the Sanders campaign is up in their eyeballs here, too. BlueCaliDem Apr 2016 #14
I don't see what purpose the Sanders people think this serves DavidDvorkin Apr 2016 #11
I don't think its Sanders folk now... this is too obvious uponit7771 Apr 2016 #12
Sanders Delegate, Rep. Grijalva, is part of the group attempting to disqualify Julian Castro. BlueCaliDem Apr 2016 #18
Shame on him, Rep. Grijalva.. because I have to believe it's all a bogus scam when those kind Cha Apr 2016 #33
I agree, Cha. Shame on him. I can understand his support for BS, but I can't understand his attack BlueCaliDem Apr 2016 #39
I swear... supporting BS does weird things to people. I've seen it time and time again. Cha Apr 2016 #40
Another thrown under the bus Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Apr 2016 #15
Is the logic to make it so only Bernie could be VP? Not gonna happen. IamMab Apr 2016 #16
Exactly not gonna happen. That person will not be anywhere near the White House. He Cha Apr 2016 #19
Post removed Post removed Apr 2016 #20
Exactly. Why lose a precious Dem Senate seat to fill the VP slot? SunSeeker Apr 2016 #24
How is it possible the post you responded to has been hidden??? SharonClark Apr 2016 #41
Wow. Glad I was able to respond before the hide. nt SunSeeker Apr 2016 #43
Another day, another key group... SaschaHM Apr 2016 #25
And yet, Sanders and his minions claim to care about the poor and disenfranchised. They care not! Liberal_Stalwart71 Apr 2016 #28
I'm honored to have Julian as my boss at HUD. HUD is often made fun of, but we have dedicated our Liberal_Stalwart71 Apr 2016 #27
Wow sarae Apr 2016 #29
It is wrong for people to make fun of something they don't know anything about it. LiberalFighter Apr 2016 #36
Bernie wants the VP MSMITH33156 Apr 2016 #31
Then BS should have run a different campaign because I can't imagine Hillary Cha Apr 2016 #38
When His Opponent Is A Woman otohara Apr 2016 #44
It's despicable. We expect that from rw.. it's unprincipled and we Cha Apr 2016 #45
Bernie doesn't want the VP spot SharonClark Apr 2016 #42

Agnosticsherbet

(11,619 posts)
1. I thought Sanders supporters were adamant that Sanders will win.
Sat Apr 16, 2016, 05:41 PM
Apr 2016

If they believed he could win, why would they choose to attack possible Vice Presidential picks?

It is almost like they know Sanders is doomed and they are trying to Sabotage the Democratic nominee.

 

Surya Gayatri

(15,445 posts)
26. Starting with their perfidious, deceitful leader. What a fifth column guerilla and, dare I say,
Sat Apr 16, 2016, 08:38 PM
Apr 2016

Trojan Horse, Bernardo is turning out to be.

I fear the Democratic Party will live to rue the day that they admitted him within their city gates.

Sanders and his quixotic campaign are now attempting to expropriate the Democratic Party's facilities, networks and infrastructure, and if not successful, they threaten to pull the city down.

Permitting him latterly to run as a nominal Democrat will ultimately prove to have been a major tactical error, IMHO.

 

otohara

(24,135 posts)
5. When You Have Michael Moore Tweeting
Sat Apr 16, 2016, 05:59 PM
Apr 2016

Shit like this today...

New York is a voter suppression state. Independents (the largest voting bloc) are prohibited from voting. This is not fair. -

He and Sanders other surrogates are definitely out to destroy the Democratic nominee and party.

Attending Obama's acceptance speech at DNC convention in Denver was a highlight of my life. Democrats of all colors, gender, age came together because Hillary was not only gracious but worked her butt off to bring the party together.

This year I fear it will look like Chicago 1968

BuzzFeed put together this timeline about his quest for a 3rd party and his disdain for the Dem party.

Bernie Sanders Despised Democrats In 1980s, Said A JFK Speech Once Made Him Sick
“Kennedy was young and appealing and ostensibly liberal, but I think at that point, seeing through Kennedy, and what liberalism was, was probably a significant step for me to understand that con

http://www.buzzfeed.com/ilanbenmeir/bernie-sanders-despised-democrats-in-1980s-said-a-jfk-speech?utm_term=.rbB025DXL#.qs0PJ0DEn

Thinkingabout

(30,058 posts)
22. Just WTH does tweets like thos going to help. The Sanders campaign did not
Sat Apr 16, 2016, 08:09 PM
Apr 2016

Concentrate on the important things, maybe instead of concentrating on getting into databases which did nit belong to them they could have investigated the voting rules in every state, it soul have served them better. I remember reading post here last year, the open, semi-open and closed primaries, those which were caucuses and those which voted. Sometimes a voter needs to find this information from their own efforts.

 

LannyDeVaney

(1,033 posts)
30. Sigh...
Sun Apr 17, 2016, 12:47 AM
Apr 2016

this is getting old.

This is the Democratic primary. Why should someone who isn't a Democrat be allowed to vote in the Democratic primary? The Independents get to vote in November. It's a series of votes to determine a party's nomination. It's completely democratic. Don't run for election under the banner of a party if you don't agree. Their argument makes no sense whatsoever.

It is extremely simple. The reaction from the Sander's crowd is pathetic.

LiberalFighter

(50,496 posts)
34. That is exactly right.
Sun Apr 17, 2016, 10:42 AM
Apr 2016

I wish all state primaries for at least the President were closed primaries. Along with a deadline that a voter could switch their political affiliation prior to a primary. I would strongly go beyond just President.

I don't know about other states but in my state not every election is on the ballot for the primary. Some candidates for state-wide offices are decided at a party convention.

leftofcool

(19,460 posts)
2. I got news for Bernie supporters
Sat Apr 16, 2016, 05:45 PM
Apr 2016

Hillary will choose her own VP and it will not be Bernie or anyone who supports Bernie. Their feeble attempts to "disqualify" Castro will not be effective in any way.

Thinkingabout

(30,058 posts)
23. Yes she will, it will be her judgement and will be good.
Sat Apr 16, 2016, 08:12 PM
Apr 2016

We have had a choice in many states and we did not choose Sanders.

yallerdawg

(16,104 posts)
3. Is there any Democrat...
Sat Apr 16, 2016, 05:51 PM
Apr 2016

they won't demonize and vilify?

(Senator Warren went under the bus before Massachusetts primary)

SharonClark

(10,005 posts)
7. Fighting among Latino groups and what is effective?
Sat Apr 16, 2016, 06:07 PM
Apr 2016

From the San Antonio Express News

[link:http://www.expressnews.com/news/news_columnists/brian_chasnoff/article/Castro-critics-pushing-for-revolution-7252041.php|

Backers of Sanders are among those who targeted Castro over an obscure HUD program that sells delinquent mortgages to banks.

“Secretary Castro is widely seen as a rising political star and many people think he is destined for higher office in Washington,” an online campaign stated. “But first he needs to fulfill his mission as the leader of HUD and stabilize communities by refusing to sell our neighborhoods away to Wall Street for a discount.”

A petition demands that Castro cease HUD mortgage sales “until he can ensure the loans will be sold to nonprofit and mission-driven organizations … not just reckless Wall Street banks.”

One of the Castro-attackers was Presente.org, a California-based group that calls itself the nation’s largest online Latino organization.

Its website explains, “Presente.org seeks to be a platform for the Latino community, and those who stand with us, to amplify our voices and fight for our collective welfare and dignity.”

OilemFirchen

(7,143 posts)
13. It's ridiculous to attack banks for buying foreclosed mortgages.
Sat Apr 16, 2016, 06:28 PM
Apr 2016

Those banks can, and quite often do, resell the paper at a loss. No non-profit nor "mission-driven organizations" can afford to do so.

The enemies are the LLC's that predictably buy packages of these mortgages and turn them over for a profit or, worse, rent them in deplorable conditions and without local landlordship.

SharonClark

(10,005 posts)
9. The plot thickens...
Sat Apr 16, 2016, 06:12 PM
Apr 2016

From Buzzfeed:

The fallout continued Wednesday after an attack by liberal groups on Julian Castro’s progressive bonafides and qualifications to be vice president.

Earlier this week, progressive groups criticized Castro for a federal mortgage policy. Since then, BuzzFeed News has learned the criticism led one prominent Latino to resign from the board of a progressive group involved, and that the leading national coalition of Hispanic groups plans to kick out member organization Presente, for their part in ripping Castro.

Joe Velasquez, a former deputy political director in the Clinton administration, submitted his resignation letter from the board of American Family Voices (AFV), which was part of the coalition of groups that hit Castro for a HUD policy the groups argue is too friendly to financial institutions looking to buy distressed homes heading toward foreclosure.

Calling it “untenable” to continue serving on the board he was on for eight years, Velasquez denounced the attacks on Castro, called on America Family Voices to apologize, and argued that ties between Presente and the Sanders campaign fuel the belief that the criticism was part of a “political hatchet job.”

BlueCaliDem

(15,438 posts)
14. Rep Grijalva is behind this crap. Oh yes, the Sanders campaign is up in their eyeballs here, too.
Sat Apr 16, 2016, 06:42 PM
Apr 2016

Rep. Grijalva is a Sanders surrogate.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/adriancarrasquillo/turmoil-among-progressive-and-latino-groups-after-attack-on#.oq70b9PnDQ

The resignation came after Velasquez privately lobbied AFV founder Mike Lux to retract the comment and apologize in an email, obtained by BuzzFeed News.

“I apologize, I should have talked to you about it first. But it wasn’t discriminatory and I was following the lead of Grijalva and Presente and Color of Change,” Lux wrote. “I just think he has been wrong on the way he has handled distressed housing, has gone with Wall St. way too much on it.”

With Grijalva and those groups leading the charge on the mortgage issue, Lux ultimately didn’t think it was wrong to raise these issues. “It was wrong, however, not to talk it over with you first, and I am very sorry about that,” Lux concluded.

“That’s what I think is the worst part of this,” Velasquez said. “Every white guy thinks it’s OK to jump in because a Hispanic organization is involved.”


The Sanders campaign denies having any part in discrediting Julian Castro. Uh huh.

DavidDvorkin

(19,404 posts)
11. I don't see what purpose the Sanders people think this serves
Sat Apr 16, 2016, 06:25 PM
Apr 2016

The only thing I can think of is that they hope to make the Democratic ticket in November weaker by keeping Castro off it. If so, that's truly despicable.

BlueCaliDem

(15,438 posts)
18. Sanders Delegate, Rep. Grijalva, is part of the group attempting to disqualify Julian Castro.
Sat Apr 16, 2016, 07:18 PM
Apr 2016

A top political aide to Sanders was the former head of Presente, the group that's been trying to smear Secretary Castro.

Joe Velasquez resignation letter to American Family Voices:

Board, American Family Voices:

I regretfully tender my resignation from the Board of American Family Voices.

It’s untenable for me to serve on the Board of AFV after the organization contributed to the ad hominem attacks on a fellow Latino to disqualify him for consideration for Hillary Clinton’s VP; on the odd basis he’s not progressive enough. Julian Castro was born a progressive and he knows social injustice first hand. He has stronger progressive credentials than most of the signatories to the attack letter. But that aside, he’s one of the leading Latino leaders in the country. An attack on him is an attack on the Latino community.

Make no mistake; this is not a debate on the merits of the HUD regulation intended to protect poor homeowners. This is about the tactic these groups are using to further their own political agenda. Some observers believe this a blatant political hatchet job perpetrated by the Sanders campaign. The fact a top political aide to Senator Sanders was the former head of Presente, the sole Latino organization in the cabal, fuels that thinking. And it’s unfortunate Presente is active in this caper. They give the white people license to attack a progressive Latino.

It would be appropriate for the Board to make a public apology to the Secretary.

Respectfully.

Joe Velasquez

Cha

(295,903 posts)
33. Shame on him, Rep. Grijalva.. because I have to believe it's all a bogus scam when those kind
Sun Apr 17, 2016, 10:37 AM
Apr 2016

of people are involved. That's their history. Their MO.

BlueCaliDem

(15,438 posts)
39. I agree, Cha. Shame on him. I can understand his support for BS, but I can't understand his attack
Sun Apr 17, 2016, 10:59 AM
Apr 2016

on a fellow Latino who has a chance to become VP of the United States and then president afterward. Is Grijalva's allegiance to BS more important than helping the Democratic Party??

Cha

(295,903 posts)
40. I swear... supporting BS does weird things to people. I've seen it time and time again.
Sun Apr 17, 2016, 11:14 AM
Apr 2016

I mean.. just check out all his surrogates!

 

IamMab

(1,359 posts)
16. Is the logic to make it so only Bernie could be VP? Not gonna happen.
Sat Apr 16, 2016, 07:07 PM
Apr 2016

How do Sanders supporters believe that they'll "disqualify him from consideration as Hillary Clinton's running mate" exactly?

Cha

(295,903 posts)
19. Exactly not gonna happen. That person will not be anywhere near the White House. He
Sat Apr 16, 2016, 07:43 PM
Apr 2016

blew it.

Response to IamMab (Reply #16)

SunSeeker

(51,367 posts)
24. Exactly. Why lose a precious Dem Senate seat to fill the VP slot?
Sat Apr 16, 2016, 08:12 PM
Apr 2016

Indeed, it is risky to pluck any office-holding Dem for the VP or an administration position -- that's how we ended up with Gov. Jan Brewer in Arizona!!!

SaschaHM

(2,897 posts)
25. Another day, another key group...
Sat Apr 16, 2016, 08:25 PM
Apr 2016

that the Bernie supporters are pushing away. I hope this blows up before California and drives his poll numbers down even more.

 

Liberal_Stalwart71

(20,450 posts)
27. I'm honored to have Julian as my boss at HUD. HUD is often made fun of, but we have dedicated our
Sat Apr 16, 2016, 10:18 PM
Apr 2016

lives to addressing the myriad of problems facing this country's most vulnerable and most disadvantaged. But, few people really care about the poor and the homeless. They could fucking care less. I even hear so-called liberals making fun of HUD and what we do.

sarae

(3,284 posts)
29. Wow
Sun Apr 17, 2016, 12:23 AM
Apr 2016

This makes me so angry. Once again, BS supporters are showing their true colors. If it doesn't pass their moral purity test (which changes daily, based on whether or not it supports their political agenda) they throw it under the bus.

MSMITH33156

(879 posts)
31. Bernie wants the VP
Sun Apr 17, 2016, 09:50 AM
Apr 2016

spot. Bernie is about one thing...Bernie. That's why Devine raised it earlier. That's why he makes cryptic statements about "what is she going to do for us." If he was talking about issues, her and him agreeing on 80% of things would be enough. But that isn't what Bernie is talking about. His entire career has been about himself. That's why he never bothered to actually try to pass legislation that could have helped people. He's trying to extort his way to the VP spot, but it won't work.

Cha

(295,903 posts)
38. Then BS should have run a different campaign because I can't imagine Hillary
Sun Apr 17, 2016, 10:58 AM
Apr 2016

wanting anything to do with him after this.

I know I don't.

 

otohara

(24,135 posts)
44. When His Opponent Is A Woman
Sun Apr 17, 2016, 06:23 PM
Apr 2016

his sexist horns come out.

“He is setting me up to [be] the rich bitch, the girl with the pearls, Lady Di,” Gallagher railed, according to a clip from the Burlington Free Press, in which she said Sanders tried to use her gender and wealth to portray her as out of touch with the electorate.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/10/hillary-clinton-sexism-bernie-sanders-215375#ixzz467pJycAh
Follow us: @politico on Twitter | Politico on Facebook

Cha

(295,903 posts)
45. It's despicable. We expect that from rw.. it's unprincipled and we
Sun Apr 17, 2016, 11:37 PM
Apr 2016

don't need that in our Democratic Gov.. Vermont can have him if they think that's so great.

Mahalo otohara~

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