Senate Campaign Chairmen Share Contrasting Visions For Midterms

By AJ Swartwood

The respective Chairmen of the Democratic and Republican Senatorial Campaign Committees met today at the National Press Club and outlined their parties’ plans heading into the midterm elections.

Senators John Cornyn (R-Tex.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) touted their own parties’ visions for the future as they try to rally support for what is shaping out to be one of the most unpredictable election cycles in recent memory.

The message of Cornyn was one of optimism and excitement as the GOP faces the midterm elections, citing the President’s vigorous pre-election campaigning as a last ditch effort to save key Democratic Senate seats. He touted new polls that show Republicans with a large lead in terms of enthusiasm and predicted voter turnout.  

“It’s clear that the American people have gotten tired of being lectured to and not listened to,” said Cornyn. 

Sen. Menendez, on the other hand, painted a different picture. While conceding that his party faces a variety of “headwinds” before the midterms, he touted the Democratic reform in Senate as being vitally important in saving the economy from even deeper collapse. Furthermore, he made the case that while Republicans have sought to extend tax cuts for the wealthy, Democrats continue to be the party of the middle class. 

“They have  stood the special interests, with Wall Street, with big banks, with big insurance,  with big oil, and we have been fighting for the average person in this country,” he said. “Democrats are on your side.”

When asked about his November predictions, Menendez responded, “I think we will surprise people on November 2nd.”