The poll is over a month old, but still relevant, especially since today sort of morphed into "Senate Day" on the site.
SurveyUSA. 1/12-14. Adults. MoE 4% (12/8-10 results)
Do you approve or disapprove of the job John Cornyn is doing as United States Senator?
Approve 44 (47)
Disapprove 42 (39)
Do you approve or disapprove of the job Kay Bailey Hutchinson is doing as United States Senator?
Approve 59 (58)
Disapprove 32 (34)
Cornyn is up for re-election in 2008. I included the Hutchinson numbers to demonstrate that Cornyn isn't suffering from the downturn in his party's fortunes. Even Bush is far more popular in Texas than elsewhere in the country.
SurveyUSA. 2/9-11. Adults. MoE 4.1% (1/12-14 results)
Do you approve or disapprove of the job George W. Bush is doing as President?
Approve 47 (40)
Disapprove 50 (58)
The locals can better explain why Cornyn is so little liked in the state, but his numbers are terrible, well into the danger territory making him a juicy target.
Several names have bandied about by Texas Democrats, including turncoat Henry Cuellar (who I'd love to see crushed in a primary, his House seat going to a real Democrat). But there's a name I haven't seen publicly, but whispered on the ground.
I won't reveal confidences at this time (no need to paint a bulls eye on his/her back this early out), but if this candidate runs, we'd have a genuine people-powered candidate in the Lone Star State. In fact, of all potential candidates I've seen so far this cycle, this person excites me most of all.
It's still Texas, and it's still inhospitable territory for statewide Dems (none who have won a race in several cycles), but Texas will definitely be on the radar screen as a second-tier opportunity with real chances of jumping to the top-tier.