Last week at the Republican Party of Texas State Convention here in Houston, U.S. Senator John Cornyn, who is seeking reelection, was introduced to the crowd with a new campaign video and rhyming ditty that uses classic Texas tough guy, cowboy imagery.
“As the sun rose on the Pecos
The big clock it had burned.
Six years darted by
Is it another man’s turn?
Don’t think that Big Johnnie,
We’re sending you back
You’re doing the Lord’s work for Texas,
And we got your back.
We’ll call folk,
We’ll hustle,
We’ll outwork out foe.
We’ll tell souls in Texas you must get six mo’.
For that place out yonder needs more men like you,
Who shoot straight,
And talk straight,
And enjoy a good brew.
Big John.”
The video has also hit the Web. Here’s what some people are saying:
On the Huffington Post, “nanoscare” writes, “That is the most homoerotic campaign commercial ever. Texas, you’re kissing a MAN!”
Comments on Youtube include, “Big Bad John hahaha fuck, this is funny,” “Awesome ad actually… Quirky, very Texan-centric (as Texas Senators should be)… If I was a Texan I would vote for him.” “That’s the GREATEST song i’ve ever heard. I’m gonna memorize it so i can sing it to the dawgies” and “John Cornyn, fire your staff.”
And finally, the venerable Gawker.com has this to say: “This campaign ad that’s been making the rounds, for Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, is such a complete self-parody that it must be an intentional joke. From the John Wayne voice-over to the longtime lawyers’ ridiculous cowboy outfits to the poetry, yes, poetry, the whole video is just crazy.”
You decide. – Chris Vogel
This article appears in Jun 19-25, 2008.