The Coward Cuellar

WATB:

Two Democrat candidates for the 28th congressional seat - minus incumbent Henry Cuellar - headlined the League of Women Voters forum Thursday night.

Former U.S. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, who lost the seat in a bitter primary election to Cuellar two years ago following redistricting, and Victor Morales fielded questions on education, the federal deficit and terrorism. The district stretches from Buda to Laredo on the border and includes parts of San Antonio.

About 200 residents also heard rapid-fire exchanges between the Democrat candidates for 428th district court, county clerk and a justice of the peace precinct that covers San Marcos as well as Republicans running for county judge and criminal district attorney. Early voting runs through March 3 for the March 7 party primary elections.

Rodriguez and Morales took shots at their absent opponent, who some Democrat critics attack for being too close to Republicans. A photograph of President Bush embracing a grinning Cuellar before last month's State of the Union address has become fodder for campaign literature.