Democrats, particularly in the Webb County, TX area, what are we to make of this exchange?

Question

Let me tell you this: I have never voted Republican in my life. I do not, by habit, watch, read, or listen to Glenn Beck. But I saw this last night, and I heard with my own two ears what this congressmansaid to what this congressman, Henry Cuellar said to Sheriff Rick Flores, one of his constituents, who asked him a direct question. The discussion included a government plan to supply Mexico with 1.4 billion dollars to upgrade their law enforcement and surveilence. (Who knew? I didn't.). Here is a partial transcript. You can read the whole thing at http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0711/30/gb.01.html
Please note the derision and disrespect the congressman directs at this man, Sheriff Flores. How did we elect such an arrogant poser, and how can we make sure his tenure is over?

CUELLAR: And one of the things that we need to do is that, that`s exactly the point, is we`ve got to realize that the police and the people out there have been outnumbered by the drug cartels and

the weapons. While the police are using guns, they`re using AK-44s (sic), they`re using other machine guns, and they`re just being out-powered.

We`re not going to give them a bag of dollars. We are going to ask for things in return. We have to look at the big picture.

BECK: I know. You tell me the next time -- you tell me, sir, the last time we won in anything with Mexico. You tell me the last time we actually got a fair shake, we actually got rule of law from Mexico. It doesn`t happen.

We bend over backwards for that fricking country, and I`ve had it up to here, and most of America has as well. Sheriff, I want to change the subject as well. And I`m sorry, I`ve got to go to the hostages. Can you please tell...

FLORES: OK. I need to say one -- I need to say one thing, Glenn.

BECK: OK.

FLORES: I want to ask the congressman, who is he representing, President Calderon or his district here in Laredo, Texas, where we haven`t receive

.

FLORES: I want to ask the congressman, who is he representing, President Calderon or his district here in Laredo, Texas, where we haven`t received any resources at the local level to be able to combat the problems on the border?

CUELLAR: Well, first of all, let me say this, Mr. Sheriff, what we`re looking at is you have got more money than you`ve ever gotten in the past, and we`ve got to keep in mind that the border will be patrolled by the Border Patrol and by the federal agencies. We will work with the local law enforcement, and we represent, but your job is to be a county sheriff, not a U.S. congressman, which is a big difference.

My job is to look at the big picture. Your job is to look at the smaller picture. And I will do my job as long as you do your job.

BECK: Boy, Congressman, I don`t think I have ever...

FLORES: I`d like to find out how much money has a congressman allocated to our county. How much money have you allocated for border security for Webb Cou

FLORES: I`d like to find out how much money has a congressman allocated to our county. How much money have you allocated for border security for Webb County or from the counties from Brownsville all the way to California? How much money have they allocated for border security? Nothing. They`ve allocated money for...

BECK: Congressman, I`ve got to get to the hostages. Guys, I have to tell you, Congressman, shame on you for that response. That was the most belittling response I have ever heard. Shame on you.

Sorry about the duplications. Never did well in cut and paste in elementary school. Just wanted to say, sorry this is so long, but it is so upsetting to me. Please tell me what you all think.

Elsewhere in that transcript, the sheriff makes the point that when people call 911, it is not Border Patrol, ICE, DEA, or FBI that respond. It is the local law enforcement that respond and the local law enforcement are getting NO funding on a government level.
I am just so furious that this congressman would talk to a citizen from his district with that tone.

Answer 1

Oh, wow. It pains me to be on Glenn Beck's side of everything, but Cuellar definitely comes off as a ...um, jerk.

As fair disclosure, I should say that I'm not Texan, but I followed Cuellar's election on some political blogs.

As far as I know, many Democrats were adamantly opposed to Cuellar's election, and preferred another candidate named Ciro Rodriguez. Cuellar is widely seen as a DINO (Democrat in name only), but he won because he had establishment backing and business money.

If you don't like him, don't vote for a Republican - just try to get rid of him in the primary. I'm not sure who is running for his seat this time, but hopefully there will be a strong Democratic primary challenger who can better represent your district and the party as a whole.