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Cornyn Social Security plan 'goofy,' Kirk tells E. Texans AG says stock market idea would give younger people a chance 10/06/2002 By GROMER JEFFERS Jr. / The Dallas Morning News TYLER - Mining for votes in the Democratic strongholds of East Texas, Senate candidate Ron Kirk said Saturday that rival Republican John Cornyn's "goofy" plan to reform social security would put the retirement savings of the nation's seniors at risk. "I've lost a whole lot of money in the stock market during this downturn," Mr. Kirk told a group of seniors in Tyler. "It makes no sense to say...

Cornyn sees Texas jobs in Alaska refuge Oil plan also improves security, he says; Kirk camp favors alternatives 10/05/2002 By TODD J. GILLMAN / The Dallas Morning News WICHITA FALLS - Drilling for oil in the Alaskan wilderness would boost national security and create Texas jobs, GOP Senate nominee John Cornyn said on Friday, and he accused his rival of siding with "environmental extremists" and against President Bush on the issue. "There's one way that we can hopefully improve our national security, and that is by relying less and less on imported energy from troubled regions of the world...

Ron Kirk, Texas Race-BaiterBy Philip MagnessFrontPageMagazine.com | September 26, 2002 When U.S. Senate candidate from Texas Ron Kirk came under fire last week for a multitude of wavering positions on national defense and policy toward Iraq, the ex-mayor of Dallas lambasted his critics. "[Q]uestioning my patriotism, I'm insulted by that," exclaimed the Democrat as he carefully claimed support for a regime change in Iraq, albeit in the most general of terms. Then again, with over two thirds of the public supporting such a move Kirk has little choice but to go along. One has cause to wonder about Kirk's irritation...

Cornyn takes on East Texas 10/04/2002 By TODD J. GILLMAN / The Dallas Morning News TEXARKANA, Texas - Governing is a team effort, John Cornyn tells voters, and he's not the guy who called President Bush's tax cuts "devastating" and "irresponsible." That would be his Senate rival, Ron Kirk, the former mayor of Dallas who Mr. Cornyn says is a big-city liberal "who just doesn't get it." "We're not running for mayor of Texas. ... Politics is a team sport, and I'm proud to be on the team that's led by our great president, George W. Bush," Mr. Cornyn...

Senate race charged with security issues Cornyn, Kirk seek to portray themselves as strong on defense 10/02/2002 Associated Press As debate rages between Congress and the Bush administration over a possible war with Iraq, the Senate candidates are trying to separate themselves over who would better guard national security interests. Republican John Cornyn and Democrat Ron Kirk have bickered for weeks over the possibility of attacking Iraq and who most supports President Bush's preference for launching a pre-emptive strike, acting unilaterally if needed. Both candidates say they back Mr. Bush's plans for disarming Iraq and that military action requires...

Democrats face an uphill battle to recapture control of the House in November's midterm elections, while Republicans have marginally improved their position in what remains a tense and wide-open fight for control of the Senate, according to party strategists, independent analysts and current polls. September has seen Republican prospects brighten, particularly in New Jersey, where ethics problems have called into question what once seemed solid reelection prospects for Sen. Robert G. Torricelli, the most vulnerable Democrat in the nation. Republicans also have increased their chances of retaining the Senate seat in New Hampshire. And because of a controversy over a...

Kirk stumps in Valley Democrat outlines platform on trip criticized by Cornyn 09/28/2002 Associated Press HARLINGEN, Texas - Ron Kirk rolled his campaign Friday through the Rio Grande Valley, saying it may be a long time before voters get another chance to send a sympathetic Democrat to the Senate. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for many of us to vote on a senator who's going to make a difference in whether your mayor and these congressmen have a friend," he told workers at a truss and doorway plant, adding, "As the Valley votes, Texas is going to go." Mr....

Winds of war stirring U.S. Senate races Candidates have difficulty gauging how Iraq will affect election 09/28/2002 By DAVID JACKSON / The Dallas Morning News INDIANOLA, Iowa As 2,000 of U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin's best Democratic friends swayed to the beat of a country band and munched on Iowa beef, the prospect of war with Saddam Hussein seemed as far away as Iraq itself. Certainly Mr. Harkin hopes so. Hosting his annual steak fry at a farm country fairground, the Democrat seeking his fourth Senate term said voters know that both parties will do whatever they can to protect...

President drums up support for Cornyn Kirk says he's not worried about Bush's push for rival 09/27/2002 By TODD J. GILLMAN / The Dallas Morning News HOUSTON - Basking in the glow of a popular wartime president, Republican John Cornyn left the talking to George W. Bush, who gave him a resounding endorsement Thursday night - again. "I am here because there's no doubt in my mind that John needs to be the next United States senator from Texas," Mr. Bush told about 500 donors in his parents' hometown. "He's the best man with whom I can work." Over...

Kirk blasts criticism of out-of-state trips Democrat accuses rival of hypocrisy; Cornyn calls move desperate 09/26/2002 By TODD J. GILLMAN / The Dallas Morning News Fresh from a Hollywood fund-raiser, Democrat Ron Kirk blasted rival Senate candidate John Cornyn on Wednesday for taking potshots at his out-of-state campaigning even as he embarked on his own cash-collecting jaunt to Washington. "Hy-poc-ri-sy," blared the Kirk campaign news release, which offered a Webster's definition embellished with the phrase "... See also John Cornyn." The Cornyn camp called the attack a sign of desperation and a weak effort to deflect criticism that Mr....

Cornyn supports more checks at gun shows Kirk favors enforcing existing laws rather than making new ones 09/22/2002 By GROMER JEFFERS Jr. / The Dallas Morning News In the race to elect Texas' next senator, it's the moderate Democrat who says unlicensed sellers at gun shows don't need to run background checks on buyers, and the conservative Republican who says a law should be passed to give them more scrutiny. Republican John Cornyn supports more precautions for dealers at shows, and Democrat Ron Kirk opposes them. "I believe we need to enforce our current gun laws rather than create...

Frost supports Kirk, cites strong defense Cornyn's camp says former Dallas mayor is lacking experience 09/21/2002 By GROMER JEFFERS JR. / The Dallas Morning News A congressional heavy-hitter came out swinging Friday for Senate candidate Ron Kirk, saying he backs a strong national defense and that rival John Cornyn's partisan ways make him a poor choice for Texans. "Ron understands that on issues important to America's defense, there's no place for partisanship," said Rep. Martin Frost of Dallas, the No. 3 Democrat in the House. Mr. Frost campaigned with Mr. Kirk in Grand Prairie, praising his tenure as Dallas...

Kirk's plea for money gets notice As Cornyn leads in poll, ex-mayor's aides say campaign still strong 09/20/2002 By GROMER JEFFERS JR. / The Dallas Morning News Democrat Ron Kirk's Senate campaign sent out impassioned pleas this week for donations to combat unrelenting GOP attacks - a battle cry that has set off mixed reviews on whether his run for office is sputtering or still on track for victory. Mr. Kirk's money call even included a political chain letter that asks backers to chip in - from $1,000 to $150 - to help buy commercial time on TV favorites...

Cornyn-Kirk race pivotal, backers say 09/19/2002 By GROMER JEFFERS JR. and DAVID JACKSON / The Dallas Morning News In dueling fund-raisers half a continent apart, big-name backers for Senate rivals John Cornyn and Ron Kirk on Wednesday portrayed their matchup as a race that will set the nation's course. Former White House adviser Karen Hughes, in her first public appearance for Mr. Cornyn, urged Republicans in Dallas to embrace him as a way to support President Bush. "We're engaged in a monumental struggle of good against evil," Ms. Hughes said of the war on terrorism. "It's an important time...

Kirk says he regrets words on Iraq, race Cornyn sought apology for 'divisive comments' about his motivations 09/18/2002 By GROMER JEFFERS JR. / The Dallas Morning News Democratic Senate candidate Ron Kirk, dogged by criticism that he insulted military personnel, said Tuesday that he regretted saying last week that GOP rival John Cornyn's position on a possible war with Iraq was motivated by race and class. In a statement released by his campaign, Mr. Kirk said his remarks were based on his "concern about each and every American who potentially will be on the front lines fighting in Iraq."...

Kirk regrets racial overtones in debate He accuses Cornyn of warping his national defense stance By CLAY ROBISON Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau AUSTIN -- Democratic senatorial candidate Ron Kirk said Tuesday that he regretted inserting racial overtones into the debate over war with Iraq and accused Republican opponent John Cornyn of distorting his stance on national defense. In a written statement, Kirk sought to lay to rest a controversy that erupted four days earlier with remarks that he made during a rally in San Antonio. Kirk suggested then that Cornyn was supportive of military action against Iraq because...

Cornyn says he's puzzled by Kirk's comments on Iraq Ex-mayor renews charges that AG questions his patriotism 09/15/2002 By GROMER JEFFERS Jr. / The Dallas Morning News Republican Senate candidate John Cornyn said Saturday that he is mystified by "divisive" comments by Democratic opponent Ron Kirk, who suggested a day earlier that class and race were factors in Mr. Cornyn's willingness to strike Iraq regardless of the position taken by the United Nations. Mr. Cornyn's response came even as he launched an attack ad in the Dallas market that says his opponent is soft on defense. And Mr. Kirk,...

Kirk, Cornyn tee off on golf club access Candidates share views on allowing women at Augusta 09/13/2002 By GROMER JEFFERS JR. / The Dallas Morning News When Democrat Ron Kirk isn't campaigning for Senate, you might find him out on the golf course. Republican John Cornyn, who prefers hunting, doesn't hit the links but says he respects the talent of most golfers. In a rare moment outside the normal bounds of politics, the rival candidates recently took a swing at whether women golfers should be allowed to join Augusta National Golf Club, home of the prestigious Masters tournament. "I...

Appointee's rejection hits home Cornyn says Senate foe wasn't supportive; Kirk points to her extremism 09/06/2002 From Staff and Wire Reports Senate candidates John Cornyn and Ron Kirk, who have wrangled for months over a Texan the president wanted on the federal bench, continued their sniping Thursday when the judge lost a confirmation vote. Mr. Cornyn, a Republican, said his Democratic rival missed the chance to back up his assertions that he could work with Republicans and for Texas when he refused to support President Bush's nomination of Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen to an appeals court. Also...

Kirk goes into Bush territory Senate candidate asks West Texans to help him beat GOP rival Cornyn 09/03/2002 By GROMER JEFFERS JR. / The Dallas Morning News MIDLAND, Texas - Smack dab in Bush country, Ron Kirk appealed to fellow Democrats on Monday to come out of hiding and help him wrest a Senate seat from Republican hands. "There's this bad rumor that there are no Democrats in West Texas," he said at a rally at the Midland RockHounds' minor league ballpark. "These may not be places where we're going to win, but we will do well if Democrats...