Wouldn’t it be great if Brendan Carr’s threats against CBS lead to Republicans losing a Senate seat in Texas? It’s like the butterfly effect meets the Streisand effect. Brendan Carr flaps his gums over equal time for Colbert’s Talarico interview, CBS pulls the interview but it lives on on YouTube, more people see it than ever would have had it just run on Colbert in the first place, and Talarico becomes a national figure and is propelled to victory in the primary. He gets the perfect matchup in November against Paxton, and in the end, bullying by the FCC totally backfires and costs the GOP a Senate seat they never would have lost in a million years.
This Texas voter and Talarico supporter is thrilled that he won the primary and is getting so much press, but you exposed all my darkest fears in this excellent piece.
Talarico is moral, and in today’s electorate, given Trump’s immorality, should vote for a young man as opposed to a choice between a corrupt Republican, assuming Americans still respect morality.
Thank you once again for a very thoughtful article. These are not easy times and the clear paths of political stories of the past are not relevant today.
Leaving aside The Who v. Who, I’m not sure Ohio is a better bet for Dems than Texas. Trump won both by healthy margins in 24. The big difference though is that Texas is younger and more Hispanic. They have a larger pool of soft Trump voters that might switch sides at best, but in all likelihood more likely to stay home. So…. Dems should definitely take their shot.
Interesting take on Mississippi's Senate race. Here is the thing about Mississippi. It has the highest percent of black residents - 37% - of any state in the country. And they vote solidly Democratic. If a Democratic candidate could get a decent share of the white vote, he or she could win statewide. But white voters vote solidly Republican in Mississippi, more Republican than whites do in probably any other state. Thus, the Democratic statewide candidate always tops out at 44 or 45%. Close but no cigar. It is possible if the turnout of white voters is very low, the Democrat might be able to pull a win in the Mississippi Senate race.
Can I say something among friends here? The Democrats' approach to fundraising absolutely stinks. The minute I give money to anyone, my phone goes nuts for months with random breathless texts from people I've never heard of, and don't even say what state they're in, and include links to god-knows-what that I'm sure not going to click on. All of them panicky about random "fundraising deadlines" and thoroughly uninformative about their candidates. I knew Alex Vindman had entered the race because I got three identical texts from him in the course of two hours, from three separate numbers, after promptly responding "stop" to each.
I really want to support Democratic candidates, and I'm going to keep giving money, but I'm also tired of feeling abused by a thoroughly feckless party.
Let us not forget that two of the most corrupt politicians are Texans - Abbott and Paxton. Abbott breaks laws and rules and political customs whenever Trump signals. Paxton is evil and actually admits to dismissing Houston votes to help Trump. And then there is the GOP controlled legislature that came up with the outrageous gerrymandering. We cannot trust these people and with the corrupt Bondi - she won't watch - maybe assist. And the corrupt SCOTUS. I would encourage the effort be directed at waking up church leaders.
"Crockett did not commit to campaigning with Talarico, telling the Times that she would not “make plans for other people’s campaigns.”"
Just a terribly selfish person. Democracy and freedom have never been in so much danger, but her thinking is always, what's in it for me, how does it help my brand, my career. She would be much more at home in the GOP.
I get the frustration. At the same time, the poor woman just lost a high-profile national election, in which it was plain that a whole lot of her allies wanted her to lose, and it wasn't even close. If she's still singing this tune in a month, sure I'll be annoyed. But a couple days to sulk feels reasonable.
Yes, but as an intelligent caring person, you don't say, I don't make plans for other people's campaigns, on top of a long list of things she has done to hurt the party for selfish reasons, when democracy and freedom are in mortal danger. You say, I'm going to go work hard to help my party, to decrease the odds of 340 million people and their posterity having to live under tyranny, or you have no business running for office.
Call us suckers or call us persistent or even stubborn. Maybe we'll lose again, but we don't seem to give up hope. If it can happen here, it can happen anywhere!
Equally important are the Texas House races. There are currently 62 Democrats and 88 Republicans. 12 Democrats and 18 Republicans in the Senate and 1 seat that is vacant. That’s a lot of seats to flip before 2030 but it’s imperative that they do so. Candidate quality and electability are the only things that matter. A Talarico win strong showing by Democrats would be a big boost for recruitment.
I don’t think most people believe that Texas will swing blue for the presidential election, but this is a typical Lauren take, I.e., filtering any news into a negative commentary about establishment democrats.
Not so sure about that take. Her attitude is snarky and always negative. Always. I find her grating. Look, I'm happy to read about the Dems' issues but not from a snarky know it all who is almost half my age and FAR less experienced with the party.
If Chuck Schumer (75) thinks Sherrod Brown’s (73) bid to finish off the last 2 years of JD’s Senate term is *the future*, we are way more fucked than I even thought possible.
Sherrod is infinitely more capable and "with it" than Schumer. Both in terms of age and ability to serve competently, IMHO. And is very possibly able to win back his seat, after the indescribably destructive year one of Trump II.
The amount of money they’re going to spend to get him elected won’t be small. And again, it’s only for the next 2 years. He will be 75 in 2028, will he even want to run again? And I honestly don’t see the *we need a younger generation* crowd shutting up anytime soon.
Must agree on the very broad outlines you make. However, Sherrod is historic proven successful Democrat gold in his red state. But friends here can disagree on the value of that. The "throw out the oldsters crowd" may have a point. But not yet, in this dire era of Trump II. IMO. The point right now is not about 2028. It's about taking the house and senate in this 2026 existentially critical year. And if Sherrod can help, that's what we must hope for. Again, IMHO.
No offense to Mississippi, but it doesn't take $100 million to run an effective campaign there. Texas, on the other hand, is huge, with several large media markets (Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio). Comparing Texas to Mississippi is comparing apples to oranges.
Wouldn’t it be great if Brendan Carr’s threats against CBS lead to Republicans losing a Senate seat in Texas? It’s like the butterfly effect meets the Streisand effect. Brendan Carr flaps his gums over equal time for Colbert’s Talarico interview, CBS pulls the interview but it lives on on YouTube, more people see it than ever would have had it just run on Colbert in the first place, and Talarico becomes a national figure and is propelled to victory in the primary. He gets the perfect matchup in November against Paxton, and in the end, bullying by the FCC totally backfires and costs the GOP a Senate seat they never would have lost in a million years.
This Texas voter and Talarico supporter is thrilled that he won the primary and is getting so much press, but you exposed all my darkest fears in this excellent piece.
Talarico is moral, and in today’s electorate, given Trump’s immorality, should vote for a young man as opposed to a choice between a corrupt Republican, assuming Americans still respect morality.
Thank you once again for a very thoughtful article. These are not easy times and the clear paths of political stories of the past are not relevant today.
Leaving aside The Who v. Who, I’m not sure Ohio is a better bet for Dems than Texas. Trump won both by healthy margins in 24. The big difference though is that Texas is younger and more Hispanic. They have a larger pool of soft Trump voters that might switch sides at best, but in all likelihood more likely to stay home. So…. Dems should definitely take their shot.
Interesting take on Mississippi's Senate race. Here is the thing about Mississippi. It has the highest percent of black residents - 37% - of any state in the country. And they vote solidly Democratic. If a Democratic candidate could get a decent share of the white vote, he or she could win statewide. But white voters vote solidly Republican in Mississippi, more Republican than whites do in probably any other state. Thus, the Democratic statewide candidate always tops out at 44 or 45%. Close but no cigar. It is possible if the turnout of white voters is very low, the Democrat might be able to pull a win in the Mississippi Senate race.
Any state that doesn’t think Cornyn is corrupt and crazy enough to return to congress isn’t a state that is suddenly going to sober up.
It's all relative. Cornyn isn't even in the top 30 of worst Republican Senators.
I actually think the Democrats have a slightly better shot in Texas than Ohio. I think Tim agrees with that.
Can I say something among friends here? The Democrats' approach to fundraising absolutely stinks. The minute I give money to anyone, my phone goes nuts for months with random breathless texts from people I've never heard of, and don't even say what state they're in, and include links to god-knows-what that I'm sure not going to click on. All of them panicky about random "fundraising deadlines" and thoroughly uninformative about their candidates. I knew Alex Vindman had entered the race because I got three identical texts from him in the course of two hours, from three separate numbers, after promptly responding "stop" to each.
I really want to support Democratic candidates, and I'm going to keep giving money, but I'm also tired of feeling abused by a thoroughly feckless party.
Let us not forget that two of the most corrupt politicians are Texans - Abbott and Paxton. Abbott breaks laws and rules and political customs whenever Trump signals. Paxton is evil and actually admits to dismissing Houston votes to help Trump. And then there is the GOP controlled legislature that came up with the outrageous gerrymandering. We cannot trust these people and with the corrupt Bondi - she won't watch - maybe assist. And the corrupt SCOTUS. I would encourage the effort be directed at waking up church leaders.
"Crockett did not commit to campaigning with Talarico, telling the Times that she would not “make plans for other people’s campaigns.”"
Just a terribly selfish person. Democracy and freedom have never been in so much danger, but her thinking is always, what's in it for me, how does it help my brand, my career. She would be much more at home in the GOP.
I get the frustration. At the same time, the poor woman just lost a high-profile national election, in which it was plain that a whole lot of her allies wanted her to lose, and it wasn't even close. If she's still singing this tune in a month, sure I'll be annoyed. But a couple days to sulk feels reasonable.
That’s kind of you. Honestly, it’s kinder than I’m inclined to be but you convinced me to give her a couple of days.
I just don't think Crockett has to actually campaign with Talarico. Just publicly support him.
Yes, but as an intelligent caring person, you don't say, I don't make plans for other people's campaigns, on top of a long list of things she has done to hurt the party for selfish reasons, when democracy and freedom are in mortal danger. You say, I'm going to go work hard to help my party, to decrease the odds of 340 million people and their posterity having to live under tyranny, or you have no business running for office.
Call us suckers or call us persistent or even stubborn. Maybe we'll lose again, but we don't seem to give up hope. If it can happen here, it can happen anywhere!
Equally important are the Texas House races. There are currently 62 Democrats and 88 Republicans. 12 Democrats and 18 Republicans in the Senate and 1 seat that is vacant. That’s a lot of seats to flip before 2030 but it’s imperative that they do so. Candidate quality and electability are the only things that matter. A Talarico win strong showing by Democrats would be a big boost for recruitment.
I don’t think most people believe that Texas will swing blue for the presidential election, but this is a typical Lauren take, I.e., filtering any news into a negative commentary about establishment democrats.
Lauren is a straight shooter. I know that bothers some people.
Not so sure about that take. Her attitude is snarky and always negative. Always. I find her grating. Look, I'm happy to read about the Dems' issues but not from a snarky know it all who is almost half my age and FAR less experienced with the party.
Amen to that! Snark is her style and her background in gossip reporting shows through in every piece. The Bulwark made a mistake with her.
Or, asking only establishment Democrats for their opinions and not letting us see the excitement among the grassroots!
If Chuck Schumer (75) thinks Sherrod Brown’s (73) bid to finish off the last 2 years of JD’s Senate term is *the future*, we are way more fucked than I even thought possible.
Sherrod is infinitely more capable and "with it" than Schumer. Both in terms of age and ability to serve competently, IMHO. And is very possibly able to win back his seat, after the indescribably destructive year one of Trump II.
The amount of money they’re going to spend to get him elected won’t be small. And again, it’s only for the next 2 years. He will be 75 in 2028, will he even want to run again? And I honestly don’t see the *we need a younger generation* crowd shutting up anytime soon.
Must agree on the very broad outlines you make. However, Sherrod is historic proven successful Democrat gold in his red state. But friends here can disagree on the value of that. The "throw out the oldsters crowd" may have a point. But not yet, in this dire era of Trump II. IMO. The point right now is not about 2028. It's about taking the house and senate in this 2026 existentially critical year. And if Sherrod can help, that's what we must hope for. Again, IMHO.
No offense to Mississippi, but it doesn't take $100 million to run an effective campaign there. Texas, on the other hand, is huge, with several large media markets (Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio). Comparing Texas to Mississippi is comparing apples to oranges.