If you will recall, Rick Noriega shamelessly used Memorial Day in a crass attempt to score political points against incumbent conservative Sen. John Cornyn. Mr. Noriega has taken repeated shots at Sen. Cornyn for voting against a G.I. Bill improvement that did not include transferability for family members, a provision that Sen. Cornyn, Sen. McCain and the entire leadership of the military insisted was vital.

In a press release from Sen. Cornyn’s campaign, they are asking if Mr. Noriega will be able to swallow his pride and support the bill he should have supported in the first place.

The House voted 416-12 Thursday to add transferability to the G.I. bill, meaning many troops will be able to pass along education benefits to their spouses and children.  Senator McCain and top Pentagon leaders have long sought transferability as vital in maintaining and improving retention and re-enlistment rates in the all-volunteer military.

“It’s said that we recruit soldiers, but retain families. This bill will reward those military families, who also make sacrifices for our security,” said Rob Jesmer, Cornyn’s campaign manager. “Retention is vital to our military, and to our national ability to defend ourselves. We sincerely hope Rick Noriega will put aside his objections and get behind the improved version passed overwhelmingly by the House last week. The welfare of our fighting men and women should come before personal political advantage.”

“If Representative Noriega continues to oppose the transferability provision insisted upon by President Bush, Sen. McCain, Sen. Cornyn, and others, he should explain his reasons,” Jesmer added.  “Just as Rick Noriega reluctantly endorsed Senator Cornyn’s legislation to build a new Veterans Hospital in South Texas, he ought to swallow his pride and endorse this good piece of legislation too.”

It is hard to imagine anyone as arrogant as The Shameless One swallowing his pride - that would be a heckuva mouthful. The contrast between these two men is as easily distinguishable as midnight is from high noon.

This episode highlights an important difference in the approach of two Senate candidates on a serious national issue, Jesmer concluded.  “Representative Noriega was willing to give up quickly on an important benefit for our military, and he has tried to use Senator Cornyn’s principled opposition to the flawed bill for his own narrow political advantage.  Senator Cornyn, on the other hand, stood fast in support of our troops, even though he knew his minority vote would be used against him initially.  It is now clear that Senator Cornyn’s far-sighted stand will prevail, and both our volunteer military — and our national security — will benefit as a result.”

Sen. John Cornyn - fighting for our military personnel and their families and refusing to buckle under to political cheapshots. Great job, Sen. Cornyn. Great job.