Blame It on God, Gender, and Sex — and Gender
Statewide Republicans declared victory before a majority of the state’s precincts were counted, but in time to make the 10pm TV news. Gov. Rick Perry told the cheering crowd, “Now we must switch gears from the campaign that just ended to the future that’s just beginning.” The future, Perry told supporters, includes “sound” fiscal policy and discipline, efforts to create new jobs, lower homeowners insurance rates, and to make sure all Texas children “have access to the best schools in the nation.” Senator-elect John Cornyn ascended with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and retiring Sen. Phil Gramm. “It is a privilege to introduce my new partner in Washington,” Hutchison declared. “Texas has elected a man who will fight with me … and who will support President Bush’s agenda for our country” — including, she said, a strong energy policy and confirming such judicial nominees as Priscilla Owen. Cornyn told supporters he would focus his Washington work on helping all people, “regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, gender, or sex,” he said. “I want to represent all Texans. And yes, to confirm President Bush’s law-and-order judges.”
Additional GOP testimony:
John Cornyn: “I accept, with great humility, the honor of following Phil Gramm in the U.S. Senate, because they’re awfully big shoes to fill … First and foremost, I want to thank God.”
Phil Gramm: “Out with the old and in with the new.”
Henry Bonilla: “[Perry embodies] the values we cherish: faith, family, and freedom … This is the moment we’ve been waiting for, the [victory] of the Republican 2002 Dream Team” (except, apparently, for bench-jockey Dist. 23 U.S. Rep. Bonilla, who at press time was in a tight battle with Henry Cuellar).
Rick Perry: “If the son of a tenant farmer can become the governor of the greatest state in the nation, then any child can achieve.”
This article appears in November 8 • 2002.