The Corpus Christi-based Garcia had achieved the near-impossible in 2006 by taking the seat away from an incumbent Republican in an overwhelmingly GOP district, but last year's election proved that his glittering resume â?? Harvard Law School, veteran of the Persian Gulf War and Kosovo, and straight-arrow family man â?? could only carry him so far in District 32.
As a pragmatic, middle-of-the-road Democrat, Garcia would be better suited for a statewide run, but in the meantime, he'll be serving as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Garcia â?? an old law-school pal of Barack Obama â?? sailed through the Senate's Armed Services Committee today, getting a glowing introduction from Republican Senator John Cornyn and a stamp of approval from Kay Bailey Hutchison. His confirmation by the full Senate is all but a certainty.
it's worth noting that both Franklin and Theodore Roosevelt used Assistant Secretary of the Navy stints as springboards for their political careers. Garcia may be onto something here.
