Fox News Interview - Transcript

Interview

Fox News Interview - Transcript

MR. SMITH: Senator John Cornyn is in the state capital of Austin for us right now.

Senator, our meteorological center says that it's heading in that direction to at least clip part of your state. What do you know of that? And are you ready?

SEN. CORNYN: Well, we've already evacuated about 280,000 people from southeast Texas, the Beaumont, Texas area. And of course, we are hoping they'll stay put until we sort of see how the weather settles. But I have to say, Shep, there's been great preparation at the local and state level. And with the backup by the feds, it's been very good.

MR. SMITH: Senator, the last storm that was the potential to give the state of Texas trouble was Hurricane Rita. And as that storm was coming in, there was a massive evacuation problem as people were trying to exit the city of Houston. Were there lessons learned from that? And was the evacuation smoother this time around?

SEN. CORNYN: Well, I think, yes, they were smoother. And I think there have been a lot of lessons learned from the events of three years ago with Katrina and Rita right behind it. And of course, Hurricane Rita hit much of the same area in Texas that's currently been evacuated. But we're hopeful that the hurricane will weaken as it come further inland. But we're planning on a lot of water being dropped and, of course, a lot of pressure being put because of saturated ground, a lot of pressure put on the infrastructure. So a lot of lessons learned, and I think that's really determined the better response we've seen throughout the region.

MR. SMITH: It has been impressive, Senator Cornyn. There's no doubt. And the Republican National Convention has had to react. Today, very low key. The president did not speak, as he was expected to. Tomorrow, they expect to get things moving. Will you be there? And what are you expecting?

SEN. CORNYN: Well, actually, I just returned to Texas. I went up yesterday, but I wasn't comfortable being up there when this situation was in doubt here. But you know, I think it showed John McCain at his most decisive, saying, you know what, people count first over politics. And I think people are going to be looking in the next 64 days leading up to the election on the judgment of the candidates. And I think John McCain showed himself well.

MR. SMITH: Senator John Cornyn, live with us from Austin, the state capital in Texas.

Senator, all the best to you and yours and all the good folks in Texas. Thank you.

SEN. CORNYN: Thanks, Shepard.

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