Life and politics from the Sunshine State's best city

An athletic tea-bagger? ABC’s Craig James mulling run for U.S. Senate seat

in Uncategorized by

The U.S. Senate is one of the least-liked bodies in American society; few Senators have more than 50 percent approval individually, and Congress’ approval ratings as a body are lower than the Mendoza Line.

In that sense, I suppose it makes sense for one of the more reviled figures in Texas’ recent football history to be considering a run for office. Craig James at least seems impervious to public loathing.

James has been making the rounds meeting prominent Texas Republicans and donors raising his political profile, and he said he would not rule out running for the Hutchison seat.

“I’m a Texan. I’m concerned for our country,” [James] said. “I disagree with the approach that we’re having, things that are taking place, and so whatever door opens up, I’ll look at it, if and when it opens up.”

James not only wouldn’t rule out running for the seat that may be vacated by Kay Bailey Hutchison, and will probably run for lower office before the Senate, if he has a semi-knowledgeable advisor in his camp. But it’s not like James, a college football analyst who dabbles in real estate, would be another ho-hum wonky addition, content to delve into policy and make gradual changes. No, he’s talking revolution, and that is exactly what we need right now.

“I think Americans today, if you placed us back in 1765, it would be the same scenario,” James said. “We’ve got the American revolution taking place again.”
Actually, Craig, our revolution didn’t start until 1775.

But who said a sense of history — or an air of competence, or any background other than breaking down Kansas’ backfield — was really necessary for serving on the Senate?

Peter Schorsch is the President of Extensive Enterprises and is the publisher of some of Florida’s most influential new media websites, including SaintPetersBlog.com, FloridaPolitics.com, ContextFlorida.com, and Sunburn, the morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. SaintPetersBlog has for three years running been ranked by the Washington Post as the best state-based blog in Florida. In addition to his publishing efforts, Peter is a political consultant to several of the state’s largest governmental affairs and public relations firms. Peter lives in St. Petersburg with his wife, Michelle, and their daughter, Ella.

Go to Top