I think I found my mayoral candidate...

I was at a forum last night and I met Elisa Morales. Before I go on, let me explain something really important. I don't agree with all of her positions. There are some based on my conversation with her and a look at her website, that I think she is completely wrong on.

BUT...when I spoke to her I was thoroughly impressed with the fact that she's the only mayoral candidate that seems to have any solid understanding of policy. Smart, articulate, poised, and tough. I put my foot on the gas with her a couple of times on policy just to kick the tires and see how she would respond and she was extremely well poised and kept herself together. Usually when I press a candidate they either get pissed or they find the nearest exit.

I think I'm voting for her. Not entirely convinced, but I'm about 80% there. She's way smarter than any other candidate I've seen in the mayoral race and seems willing to take a stand on issues, even if its the wrong stand, as opposed to someone like Saucedo who seems more interested in NOT making anyone mad with an answer.

Obviously Morales' viability is suspect. She's pretty much a complete long shot considering she has no base and not much money. Frankly, she should've sat this one out and ran for city council.

She does have a couple of other problems - much like District 4 candidate Diana Ramos, she is a DC staffer that came home but there are questions as to whether she's lived here long enough to run, as discussed in this recent news story. But my view is that if Ramos is eligible, then Morales is eligible.

Morales basically left El Paso for the Land of Terrible Mexican Food (San Antonio) as soon as she graduated from Eastwood High School, but she came back. I don't think there's anything wrong with someone coming home to make El Paso a better place.

She's from the lower valley, went to Eastwood, has a Bachelors from UTSA and an MBA from A&M San Antonio.

Here's her website if you want more information.