Less than 100 Days to Election Day, Rick Noriega Challenges Cornyn to Debate

• Cornyn Calls 89% of Texans Economic 'Chicken Littles' (10/30/2008)
• Rick Noriega Demands John Cornyn Return All Ted Stevens Donations (10/28/2008)
• Noriega Closing Gap in Texas Senate Race (10/17/2008)
• Clinton campaigns for Noriega (10/15/2008)
• Former Pres. Clinton In Town To Support Noriega (10/14/2008)

For immediate release:                                 
Contact: Holly Shulman (713) 857-9637
August 7, 2008                                                                       
Martine Apodaca, (713) 621-7425

Houston, Tex. – Rick Noriega challenged John Cornyn to debate today, calling on Cornyn to answer up to Texans for his failed status quo energy policies, his votes against affordable health care, his continued failed policies in Iraq and his coziness with Washington special interests.

Noriega is excited and ready to debate John Cornyn in a variety of venues and has accepted a number of invitations.

"This is the chance for Texans to take a look at the job Senator Cornyn has been doing in Washington and decide whether to rehire him or to fire him. But Senator Cornyn doesn't even want to show up for the job interview." said Holly Shulman, press secretary, Rick Noriega for U.S. Senate.

John Cornyn has recently come under fire for switching his votes on issues crucial to Texas families only after criticism from U.S. Senate candidate Rick Noriega.  After an outcry from the Noriega campaign and medical groups such as the American Medical Association, Cornyn switched his vote on a key Medicare bill for politically expedient reasons. Cornyn's vote to support the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 came just weeks after originally voting to block the bill and on the heels of a similar vote switch on the GI Bill.

"Texans deserve a Senator who is a straight shooter and tells Texas families where he stands on skyrocketing health care coasts, soaring gas prices and rising tuition rate. Texans need a senator who will take the podium in a debate hall, instead of spending his time taking campaign checks in a corporate backroom and blaming Democrats for his ineffectiveness."

Whether John Cornyn is in the minority or the majority he continues to blame Democrats for his failures to deliver for Texas families. For example, Cornyn blamed Democrats for Republican failures on health care and education. In an interview with MSNBC John Cornyn blamed Senate Democrats for stalling legislation on "health care, education, farms and families," despite Republican control of the Senate.  [MSNBC, March 15, 2005, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7190458/] . And on national security: Cornyn blamed Democrats for hindering progress on national security. Cornyn accused Senate Democrats of preventing the passage of critical national security legislation. When Republicans couldn't agree on a plan, Cornyn claimed that Democrats "continue to obstruct national security legislation that is critical to fighting the war on terror." [The Washington Times, September 8, 2006]

"The 'Cornyn blame game' isn't working for Texas families," said Shulman. "It's about time he gets up in front of Texans and explains what exactly he's been doing for the past six years. They all want to know."

A recent Texas Lyceum poll showed Rick Noriega within two points of incumbent John Cornyn and within the margin of error. This is the third recent independent poll showing Cornyn's vulnerability.

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