Bailout failure may have derailed Clinton visit

McALLEN -- Congress' failure earlier this week to approve a bill to bail out the financial industry may have derailed a Rio Grande Valley visit from U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Clinton, D-N.Y., was scheduled to visit McAllen for a private fundraising event Thursday hosted by real estate developer Alonzo Cantu, said Dolly Elizondo, the chairwoman of the Hidalgo County Democratic Party.

While the event has not been officially ruled out, the former first lady's attendance has been called into question with the U.S. House's decision Monday to strike down a proposal aimed at rescuing the nation's faltering financial system.

Clinton, who enjoys overwhelming popularity in the Valley, was set to raise money on behalf of Senate hopeful Rick Noriega - a challenger to incumbent Republican Sen. John Cornyn - as well as raise money in support of other Democratic causes.

The event was supposed to be one of several South Texas fundraising stops, but she had not committed to making any public appearances here.

County Democratic leaders expressed hope Tuesday that Clinton would be able to schedule some type of public rally in the region soon.

Her last known visit to the Valley was in February as she made a stump stop during her failed bid for the Democratic nomination for the presidency.