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I was among the first people to get to hear General Ricardo Sanchez speak.  This will bore the socks off people from foreign states but for the Democrats here who haven’t heard him, I’ve decided to talk honestly about it.

General Sanchez is Ben Barnes and Patty Murray’s choice for Democratic Senator from Texas.  Sanchez spoke to a group of State Democratic Executive Committee folks, county chairs, and hardcore activists at the South Texas Summit in San Antonio this weekend.

I will say this:  having seen some of Ben Barnes other choices for public office, I was pleasantly surprised with General Sanchez.  He appears to be a real Democrat.  He’s also a pretty smart guy.

He’s a nice looking fella (I’ll have pictures later) and dressed perfectly for this group – studied casual.  His answer to the first question – Are you pro-choice? – knocked it out of the ballpark.  He said that he had spent his entire life “fighting to give people the right to make decisions on their own.”  He said he is a man of faith, a Catholic, but that he would never use his religious beliefs to force a decision on someone else.  “Freedom is about the ability to make your own decisions.”  That’s a double in the bottom on the 9th with two men on base.

He tripped when asked if he would campaign with Barack Obama or run from him.  He sidestepped the question and continually used the word “non-partisan.”  It came back to bite him on the butt.  When Democrats hear non-partisan, they hear “give into Republicans.”  An elderly gentleman who is the former county judge in Bexar county, gently schooled Sanchez on Democratic ideals right there.  It was a thing of beauty. “Republicans,” said the former county judge, “put profits over people and financial institutions over families.”  I hope Sanchez remember that.

The rest of the way was smooth sailing.  He supports The Dream Act and told an emotional story about serving with men and women who earned the right of citizenship.  He did well with the immigration question by reminding  us that he had been tasked with securing the borders of two counties.  He explained it had to be an multi-pronged approached.

He wants to mobilize the Democratic base who he says are teachers, minorities, the working class, the elderly … for this election.  When asked about the EPA he said, “As Christians, we have a duty to protect the environment.”

He’s the son of single mother who was on welfare.

It appeared that General Sanchez was willing to take questions from the floor but Charlie Jones (SDEC for Texas Democratic Veterans) was hosting and insisted question had to be written.  Jones tossed questions about Abu Ghraib or if Sanchez had ever voted Republican.  That’s a shame because Sanchez will be asked those questions.

I have a few suggestions for whoever is working with him to take this show on the road.

1.  Take his watch away from him.  He doesn’t need a watch and he certainly doesn’t need to look at it every two minutes.  I know that’s military training, but it makes the audience think they are boring him or that something else is more important.

2.  Tell him to quit calling everyone “sir” or “ma’am.”  I understand that’s going to be hard but Wesley Clark learned to do it.  Calling a woman “ma’am” makes her feel old, and I sure don’t need him reminding me.

3.  Toss the non-partisan talk.  Forget the word.  Say, “As a military man I have learned to work well with others.  I will not back down from a fight when it’s about principles, but I can also lead people to come together.”

4.  His “Let me tell you who I am” introduction is good.  He needs a closer.  His last words were to abruptly say thank you and head for the door.

I left feeling better about him that when I came.  I suspect that’s a victory.