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Aditya Eachempati's avatar

I don’t see her as focused enough on affordability, especially healthcare to beat any Republican in Texas.

She’s combative but not very different from say Chuck Schumer on prices and Israel.

Talarico would talk to regular people about what they care about

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Tara Palmeri's avatar

i think a lot of people hoped he would be nominee, no primary. she probably doesn't go away quietly if she loses.

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John Thanes-Barrow's avatar

Er well the way I heard it was that some Rs invented a poll/multiple polls demonstrating that Crockett was unusually strong statewide and tricked her staff with it. Which I tend to believe because it’s the same staff that got her into the Jeffrey Epstein, dentist not Jeffrey Epstein, deceased pedo billionaire fiasco. Which tells me they’re actually afraid of Tallarico. Which having lived in Texas I also find believable.

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Tara Palmeri's avatar

I've heard the same, they tried to goad her into getting in the race

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lauren's avatar

Yup they’ll do anything to bury a progressive white man!

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John Thanes-Barrow's avatar

Eh these things happen out there. But I would not be at all surprised if Talarico won that given what the climate will likely be. The national media could do him a huge favor by not pulling the Is this the man that can finally win Texas for the Dems? coverage out of mothballs haha.

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Lisa Nystrom's avatar

I am rooting for Crockett. Hopefully she’s got excellent campaign advisors. Great reporting, Tara!

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Linda Aldrich's avatar

The most movable voters in Texas are Hispanics, especially in the RGV, and they will prefer Talarico, who has flipped a red district before. Crockett has not. The Republicans are definitely scared of Talarico.

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Ron Garrett's avatar

Hispanic men voting for a black woman? When monkeys fly.

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John Thanes-Barrow's avatar

Yeah dunno just seems like Ds, certainly Austin Ds, would naturally prefer someone like Beto O’Rourke but this is the kind of guy that can actually win the state. Which is the point of the exercise 🤷‍♂️.

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Steve G's avatar

I am very skeptical of her appeal statewide unfortunately.

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Lynn's avatar
1dEdited

I think it’s a damn shame that these two fantastic democrats are going to waste precious time and money going against each other.

I also think that some people (not just Texas) will never ever vote for a female let alone an African American. I think the Hispanic community will swing for Talerico too.

It’s an uphill battle for either candidate but in this case I think Talerico is the better candidate.

And he’s spiritual which may bring him more votes.

I’d like to see an Abbott vs Talerico debate. The moral vs the immoral.

Crockett should’ve picked a district to run in. She would’ve brought her fire and kicked her republican opponent to the curb.

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Ann's avatar

Absolutely!!! Democrats are making history in MANY PLACES in U S!!! She can make history in Texas as well!!!

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Steve G's avatar

Well it certainly would be historic.

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Janice Adams White's avatar

As a Texan who desperately would like to see our state rid of its MAGA leadership, I am disappointed that the Democrats continue to make poor choices when it comes to candidates. James Talarico is an admirable young man who is campaigning on the issues and the need for morality and decency in our leadership. He could win the state. I like Jasmine Crockett. She tells it like it is and holds her colleagues accountable. Her style and the fact that she is a Black woman, however, will not play in a statewide contest. We sadly have too many racists and misogynists for her to be successful outside urban areas. Both are excellent candidates and we need both of them to be in positions of political leadership. Jasmine should stay in her current role and Talarico should run unopposed. In a race where the leading Republican candidate is a crook, an adulterer and faced impeachment proceedings as attorney general, Talarico offers voters a clear choice of a fresh, rational voice not plagued by scandal and dishonesty. Nothing would please me more than to send Jasmine to Washington as a senator but the harsh and unfair realities of Texas politics make it unlikely.

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Evan Fields's avatar

Another great edition of The Red Letter, Tara. I think the Crockett vs. Talarico primary will be interesting — Dem voters have a tough decision to make for that general. Great work as always!

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Karen Fischer's avatar

The Texas Dems are building infrastructure as is the DNC in all 50 states. Please listen to Simon Rosenberg on this issue on his Hopium Substack

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Ron Garrett's avatar

Running a black woman in racist, misogynist Texas is a waste of campaign money. But Democrats will do it anyway and then whine about the racism and misogyny afterwards. Democrats just can’t stop pissing into the wind.

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Margaret Redus's avatar

💙💙💙

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Ralph Waller's avatar

Crockett for Texas. Texas for Crockett !

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Joe Luchok's avatar

I could be wrong but I think she will be exposed in statewide race as not being very sharp. Her poor explanation of saying she never said it was the Jeffrey Lee Zeldin got money from just a Jeffry Epstein, First, you check that out before saying it. Once you get caught being wrong you say my bad instead trying to talk your way out of it.

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Tara Palmeri's avatar

that was pretty bad, and she was not really ready to accept that.

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Mark's avatar

Talarico would have a better shot. I like Crockett, but you have to be realistic. So yes, I agree with you Tara.

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Walter Cooke's avatar

Face facts - a black woman no matter how smart or skilled is going to win a statewide race in Texas. And winning is everything. Crockett is both smart and skilled and she does not stand a chance. Talarico, on the other hand, is also smart and skilled. And he does have a shot at winning.

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