I normally couldn’t care less about Texas Republicans…outside of the sheer comic relief they often provide, of course…especially when it comes to primaries. This year’s primary campaign for Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison’s seat was something I found particularly interesting. Former Texas schoolboy football hero, SMU star running back, and New England Patriot Craig James was running for the GOP nomination. I’m not certain how James feels he’s qualified, other than…well, hey; he’s Craig James, @#$%& (apologies to Rick James).
There was little doubt that James would get massacreed, regardless of how much gay-baiting he engaged in (something about representing ALL Texans- unless they’re Liberal, Gay, Muslim, Atheist, etc.). The only question was how badly James would be trounced. Last night we learned just how little that being a football star and ESPN college football commentator means when it comes to politics. Yes, Craig James received…wait for it…4% of the vote. You could run a ham sandwich and pull more than 4%…and it would taste better.
James’ campaign was an amusing and frankly satisfying exercise in Schadenfreude. It was entertaining watching the neophyte candidate and his woefully outgunned staff trying to muddle through despite long odds, ineptitude, and general cluelessness. From my jaded point of view as a former Texan, I wouldn’t feel comfortable with the idea of Craig James managing a Dairy Queen in Lubbock, much less occupying a Senate seat.
Did James murder five prostitutes while he was an athlete/student at SMU? That seems unlikely; I’m not sure James has the chops to get away with one murder, much less five. What was amusing to observe was the manner in which James and his campaign staff chose to deal with the accusation. Most seasoned politicos would have addressed it once- deny it, deride the accusers, and leave it at that. James and his staff repeatedly denied the accusation, which only kept it alive and forced them to address it time and time again. It was the gift that kept on giving. Instead of discussing actual issues, James and his surrogates spent far too much time and energy discussing (most likely) specious murder allegations.
Realistically, Craig James had about as much chance as becoming the next Senator from Texas as I do. Most everyone understood that…except for James and his sizable ego. That said, for sheer entertainment value, watching the James campaign flounder and struggle through the campaign was an experience not to be missed.
ESPN has (thankfully) decided that they don’t want James doing color commentary for them on their college football broadcasts this fall. I suppose there’s always that Dairy Queen in Lubbock….
