Bush Faces Popularity Test In Texas

Bush Faces Popularity Test In Texas
by Nathan Poole, Columnist

September 6, 2002

Contributor Nathan Poole Two Democrats are attempting to shake up "politics as usual" this election year in Texas, and are attempting to challenge the president's popularity while they're at it. Tony Sanchez - running for governor - and Ron Kirk - running for the senate seat vacated by Phil Gramm - are in the middle of fierce campaigns against their Bush-backed Republican opponents. Many feel that this election year could serve as an unofficial referendum on the Bush presidency. If Sanchez and Kirk pull off victories in Texas, however, President Bush's core popularity could be challenged.

"Losing the race in Texas would embarrass Bush and mean Republicans stand no chance of winning the Senate, which hurts his agenda," said Bruce Buchanan, a University of Texas political science professor.

Tony Sanchez was actually appointed to a state board by the then-Governor Bush, so a Sanchez victory would not seen as much as a referendum as it would for others. Ron Kirk, former mayor of Dallas - Bush's old stomping grounds - was once a strong ally and respected friend of the president. Today, Kirk represents the opposite of what the president stands for. On issues such as missile defense, private Social Security accounts, proposed tax cuts, oil drilling in Alaska and private school vouchers, Kirk opposes President Bush. Kirk also questions the president's wisdom concerning a full-scale invasion of Iraq.

"There's more to building a case to risk the blood of American boys than to just say, 'Saddam is a bad man,'" Kirk said.

Republican strategists must be feeling some considerable heat from Kirk's campaign, because they are already spinning the possible results of the race.

"If we have a big election night and we take the Senate and hold the House, we'll say it's a reflection of Bush's popularity," said Ed Gillespie, a Republican strategist and informal White House adviser. "If it's a bad night, we'll point out the truth: That in this environment, it's up to every candidate to get themselves across the finish line or not."

The bottom line, however, is clear. If Ron Kirk can upset the president's man on the ground where the president is supposed to be the strongest, then the people of Texas will definitely have spoken. ***

A native of San Antonio, Texas and a veteran of the United States Air Force, Nathan Poole is employed by the United States Postal Service. He lives in Irwindale, California with his wife and family.

Photo of the author courtesy of staff files