Helena Moreno and The Huck Upchuck

On the afternoon of Dec. 30, 2009, Helena Moreno communicated with me via email, presumably in response to this posting that I had composed earlier that morning. I only today noticed her email. I don't check the email account associated with my blog as regularly as I probably should (and I have been recently distracted by knee surgery and class prep for the upcoming Spring Semester); but I regret that I did not see this email before now, especially since I posted on Dec. 31, 2009, a brief follow-up to the previous day's posting.

I have just responded by email to Ms. Moreno. I won't go into too much detail about our exchange, but I do want to say a few things.

First, Ms. Moreno's message was very positive and amicable. I appreciated that, especially since most of my posts about her have generally been fairly critical and unflattering.

Second, Ms. Moreno clarified for me that her early departure from the Congressional Forum I had a part in organizing in October of 2008 was due to a personal family emergency. This is an understandable and very forgivable reason for leaving. And I told Ms. Moreno in my reply email to her that I would note this clarification on my blog. I just wish I had known this at the time.

Third, Ms. Moreno defended her Democratic Party credentials. I have repeatedly criticized Ms. Moreno as a Republican wrapped in the clothing of a Democrat, though it would be fair of me to note also that Ms. Moreno has, indeed, worked for and supported Democratic candidates and the Democratic Party over a long period of time. There is something to be said for that. But I also noted to her that her support of Jay Batt makes raising questions about the extent of her support for progressive liberal values and Democratic Party principles a fair thing to do.

There were a few more things we communicated about, mostly about Latino affairs, but I will perhaps get to them at a later time.

Let me conclude by noting that, in spite of the fact that my disappointment and emotions have caused me to declare my untractable opposition to Ms. Moreno in the past, I conveyed to Ms. Moreno that I will promise keep an open mind about any future candidacies she may mount and that I do hope that it might be possible for me to be an advocate of hers down the road. And I sincerely mean that.

I do appreciate that she thought enough of my opinions to reach out to me, and to do so without resentments and in a positive spirit. And that means something to me.

At the very least, I know she reads my blog!