“It was wrong,’’ said James of accepting handshakes from boosters palming $20 bills when he was part of the fabled Pony Express (1980-82) with running mate Eric Dickerson. But he insisted he had nothing to do with SMU receiving the NCAA’s “death penalty’’ in 1987 for slush fund payments to players.
Later that evening, James was ambushed in the primary debate. In what he termed a “gotcha’’ question, he was asked if he knew the name of the US Secretary of Defense.
“You know, this is the problem with our country,’’ said an agitated James, who quickly named Leon Panetta and then, for good measure, his predecessor, Robert Gates. “Ask us what we believe, these people want to know what I believe in. They don’t know me.’’
The crowd in Austin applauded loudly. But even with his high-profile name, the conservative James is a long shot in the 10-candidate field that is seeking the seat of retiring Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.
His message is not complicated. James believes in God, family, and the Constitution, which he calls “the playbook.’’
“I want to stand for right, against wrong,’’ he said.
But so far, he is having trouble getting past the political line of scrimmage. A recent survey by Public Policy Polling had James receiving just 4 percent of the vote. Seven of 10 polled said they did not have an opinion of him.
He has never sought elected office before.
“Looks like I jumped off the high board on the first try,’’ said James, 51, who resigned as an ESPN analyst after 20 years.
But this tough Texan is no stranger to a battle.
“I come from Real Street,’’ he said of his upbringing by a battered single mother and his post-playing experience as a Texas rancher, cattle producer, and real estate mogul. “You can’t know Texas if the only people you know are people that have money and power and can do something for you.’’
The primary is tentatively set for April 3, but it is likely to be delayed because the US Supreme Court hasn’t ruled on redrawn voting maps.
“The longer I have, the better my chances,’’ said James.
