The Mole

Joe Lieberman's got nothing on Henry Cuellar:

Cuellar was one of several Texas Democrats to support Bush over Al Gore in 2000.

Cuellar later was appointed secretary of state by Gov. Rick Perry before being elected to Congress as a Democrat.

And...

For the speech Tuesday, Mr. Cuellar positioned himself along the president's route and grabbed a seat on the Republican side of the aisle. Custom dictates that the Democrats stay to the speaker's right and Republicans to the left, making it easier to gauge party-line splits on applause lines.

"Doesn't really matter," the congressman said. "It's the U.S. Congress side. I didn't see any sign that says Democratic or Republican."

There is no Republican in his Congressional race. The far-right Club for Growth has ENDORSED him (first time they've endorsed a Democrat).

Do you get the feeling that Cuellar is the ace in the hole for the GOP in case all the Diebold machines konk out on Election Day? If the House gets too close to call, they'll tap Cuellar to switch his designation to Republican.

Well, there's an opportunity to thwart that. There is a Democratic primary in this district on March 7, and his opponent is former US Rep. Ciro Rodriguez. He was redistricted out in the Texas power grab of 2004, forced into Cuellar's district, where he lost the 2004 primary by only a handful of votes.

The blogosphere's starting a fundraising drive, give if you can. Cuellar is officially no longer flying under the radar.

(By the way, the photo is Cuellar with Bush from a couple nights ago)