It’s all talk for now, but it’s nice talk to hear.
Mayor Julian Castro
Accepting Julián Castro’s endorsement Thursday, Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton addressed speculation he could serve as her running mate, saying she plans to “really look hard at him for anything.”
“That’s how good he is,” Clinton added in a Q&A with Javier Palomarez, the head of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Palomarez had started the conversation by prodding Clinton, the former secretary of state, about the vice presidential buzz surrounding Castro, the U.S. housing secretary and former mayor of San Antonio.
“I think really high of him, and I am thrilled to have his endorsement today,” Clinton responded, calling Castro and his twin brother, U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro of San Antonio, two of the “best young leaders in America, regardless of category or the fact that they come from San Antonio.”
Julián Castro made his endorsement official while introducing Clinton on Thursday afternoon at a campaign rally in San Antonio. He told the audience that Clinton “knows a little something about our backyard,” alluding to her time registering voters during the 197os in South Texas.
“Through the years, she always, always has been there for us, and today we’re here for her,” Castro said.
He drew a particularly boisterous reaction from the audience when he said he looks forward to watching Fox News call Texas for Clinton on Election Day. She then took the stage, saying Castro’s scenario could come true “if everybody here worked to turn Texas blue.”
I don’t expect that to happen, of course, but it would be very nice if the Clinton campaign put some effort into boosting Democratic turnout here next year, as that would have a lot of positive downballot effect. As for the Castro speculation, it’s nothing new, but it hasn’t reached an expiration date, so we’ve got that going for us. We’re a long way out from a VP candidate being named, so anything and nothing are still possible. The Rivard Report and the Current have more.