US Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) is up for reelection in 2008, after first winning his seat in 2002 with 55% against Ron Kirk. Cornyn's approval ratings are dreadful for a Republican in a red-leaning state like Texas; as of March 20, they stood at 47-39%, well below his fellow Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (59-32%). Cornyn also has a shameful record of rubberstamping President Bush's agenda and has a ultra-conservative voting record that (so I think) a majority of Texans would disapprove of if they knew.
So, is Cornyn beatable? Time will tell. A few days ago, however, the first Democratic challenger stepped into the ring (he will formally announce tomorrow). His name is Emil Reichstadt, and I interviewed him over the phone earlier today.
http://www.eworldwire.com/...
http://newsroom.eworldwire.com/...
[Note: I should mention that I'm not endorsing Mr. Reichstadt at this time]
From his press release (which I have permission to reprint):
Saying that he is deeply concerned about the welfare of American children and alarming environmental and national security issues, longtime local private practice attorney Emil Reichstadt is declaring for the Texas 2008 U.S. Senate race Thursday, April 19, on the Southern Methodist University campus in Dallas.
The 58-year-old Democrat, who earned his undergraduate degree at SMU, will read a short statement and answer questions at 11:00 a.m. in the Forum at the Hughes-Trigg Student Center.
Recalling how former SMU president, friend and mentor Willis D. Tate challenged young minds to take action "for what is best in America," Reichstadt says, "I am doing just that Thursday. We need to secure our borders and make this country a better, safer place for our children. I believe I can work with both Democrats and Republicans to make that happen."
Reichstadt, a former Army JAG officer, believes in a strong military. "We need to foster our leaders in the military as subject-matter experts and rely on their expertise," he says. "We cannot wallow in military policies of politics; we must let our soldiers protect themselves. We are mired in sinking sand in Iraq, in the middle of a civil war that our best military minds sought to avoid. The war has been terribly mismanaged, and the incumbent, John Cornyn, has stood by and blindly supported that mismanagement."
Congress also needs to focus more intensely on a myriad of environmental issues, especially the control of Co2 emissions, Reichstadt says.
Reichstadt, the youngest of three sons born to Arthur, a Swiss immigrant, and Macy Reichstadt in Little Rock, Ark., has been married for more than 30 years to a successful small business owner, Shirley French Reichstadt (DD French Cleaners in Dallas). They have two grown children, Heather and Steffen. The Reichstadts are members of Highland Park United Methodist Church, Dallas. Reichstadt also has been heavily involved in volunteer activities with the Boy Scouts of America for many years, nurturing many young men - including his son - to Eagle rank.
Since earning a law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1977, Reichstadt has handled a wide range of legal challenges. He was commissioned in the Army and served as captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps., personally trying more than 100 cases while stationed in Frankfurt, Germany, from 1978 to 1981, and was then assigned Chief of Legal Assistance with the 3rd Armored Division, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, providing legal services to soldiers and their families in Frankfurt, from 1982 to 1983. When he returned to Dallas from his tour of duty, he worked as General Counsel for Continental Mortgage, in real estate and corporate law, from 1983 to 1985, before starting his own private practice in 1985.
I also asked a few questions of Mr. Reichstadt:
- Why are you running against John Cornyn?
"I am very concerned about his leadership ability that he has demonstrated in the US Senate - in fact, he hasn't any leadership. He's a rubberstamp for the President's failed policies, and thus condones the last six years of mismanagement. I'm concerned for my children's future, and the future of all the children of this country who will be affected by what has happened under this administration."
- What is your position on Iraq?
"Iraq has been badly [he emphasized the word] mismanaged. We need to open up a diplomatic front in the Middle East, based to a large extent on the [Baker Commission] recommendations. In fact, those recommendations ought to have been put into place yesterday. We can't afford to wait any longer."
- What other issues will you emphasize?
"Another major concern for me is the environment. When I saw Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth , I was horrified. I strongly support his mission and I want his environmental policies implemented. In particular, we need to start lowering CO2 levels in the atmosphere now - we should have been doing this yesterday too."
- How would you react if John Cornyn attacked you during the campaign?
"I would point out that I am a moderate in most respects, and that my goal is precisely the opposite of his actions. My bottom line is that we need a Senator who knows how to bring people together based on positions, not party. I live in a very Republican part of Dallas with few Democrats around, and I know how to get along with my neighbors and work with them."
- What is your central theme for the campaign?
"In my mind, when ordinary Americans stand up as one voice, and call for the change we need, extraordinary things will happen in this country. This nation is at a crossroads in our history, and I know that if I'm elected, I can help take America along the right path."
Reichstadt will likely be one of several Democrats competing to take on Cornyn in 2008. Other candidates than have been mentioned include State Representatives Rick Noriega and Pete Gallagos (both are Latinos), 2006 nominee Barbara Ann Radnofsky, Congressman Nick Lampson and ex-LTG Ben Barnes (according to an article in the Star-Telegram this weekend) Houston Mayor Bill White is highly unlikely to run.
Whoever is the Democratic nominee will have an uphill battle to dethrone Cornyn. Although the Republican is not well-liked and has a ultra-conservative voting record, Texas is likely to vote Republican in 2008 for President, and many voters will continue down the ticket to support Cornyn as well. Still, Democrats should make an effort to contest the seat, and having eager early candidates like Reichstadt can't hurt in that regard.