Lots has been going on and lately the news about Senate races has been up in Maine. Yes, to take control we need to knock off Susan Collins and that’s suddenly not so rosy a prospect. Meanwhile things are still up for grabs in Texas and Ken Paxton is a problem candidate for the GOP. However he’s got Ted Cruz increasingly coming out in support and I can’t help but wonder if Paxton would rather Cruz just stay quietly off to the side.
Right after the runoff Cruz said what any GOPer would be expected to say – that he thought Paxton was the candidate who should win in November. Standard stuff. However Cruz doesn’t seem inclined to sit quietly on the sidelines between now and November. No, he’s getting out there and singing Paxton’s praises, albeit in this case defending Paxton on something ole Ken would rather not have voters reminded of. Alas, according to Mediaite Cruz has raised Paxton’s having been acquitted by the Texas State Senate during his impeachment trial as ‘proof’ Paxton is a great guy. AND that there was never any ‘there’ there – just a weaponized Biden DOJ picking on poor little Paxton.
To refresh everyone’s memory eight members of the Texas AG’s office reported Paxton to the FBI, saying he abused his power to help an Austin real estate investor. The aides were fired and fought their wrongful termination and the whole scandal led to Paxton’s impeachment. In the end Paxton was (barely) acquitted as I said but everyone including Republicans knew he was guilty. The whistleblowers I should add had $6.6 million paid out to them. As for the DOJ, it was a white collar case which are notoriously difficult to prosecute. And let’s face it, a DOJ run by a Democratic administration would have had trouble obtaining a conviction against a conservative culture warrior in Texas. In the end, with the Biden administration winding down and them knowing Trump’s DOJ would drop the case it was quietly closed.
No doubt Democratic candidate James Talarico would remind voters of this as one of the scandals Paxton’s been embroiled in but having a fellow Republican bring it all up almost tees the matter up for Talarico! Yet Cruz has done exactly that when CNBC’s Becky Quick raised the matter:
Replying, Cruz questioned the legitimacy of the charges entirely, pointing to the Biden DOJ for proof.
“So, look, in the impeachment, he was acquitted. And I would point out, if you want to know how valid those charges were, just ask yourself one question: Was the Biden Department of Justice a lapdog for Republicans?” he asked.
“I don’t think they were,” he followed. “It was the Biden DOJ who investigated Paxton and chose not to bring charges. I think that speaks a lot of volumes.”
Paxton doesn’t want any of this coming up but knows it will. He also wants and needs defenders, but I really do wonder if Paxon wants Ted freaking Cruz to be out there doing the defending. Cruz isn’t exactly beloved down there in Texas and has some pretty big anchors hanging around his own neck. Put there by himself I might add. It’s easy for example to see memes popping up mocking Paxton for needing ‘Cancun Cruz’ to defend him! Cruz has long held the dubious title of the most hated person by fellow Senators. Al Franken once joke he liked him more than any other Senator did and he STILL hated Ted Cruz! ‘Most Hated’ isn’t the only title Cruz holds either. ‘Most Punchable Face’ is on the list as well. Well, I can’t say actually wanting to punch Cruz is something anyone should do (much less actually do) but I get the sentiment.
My point is that while one could make an argument Cruz is out there advocating for Paxton is that if Paxton loses the GOP will in turn lose control of the Senate. It might not suck as much as being in the minority in the House but it would still be a bitter pill. However I truly believe Cruz wants Paxton to win because he knows Paxton will within a month take over the title of Most Hated Senator! Paxton for his part seems to relish the thought.
However I still can’t help but think Paxton, who already has plenty of baggage doesn’t need the baggage of Ted Cruz’s support added to the load. The more Cruz speaks up the more it will motivate Democrats, and Independents who are sick of GOP rule. Their state already has the black-eye of Cruz being one of their Senators. Having Paxton too is more than I think a lot of Texans are willing to accept. I also can’t help but think at least some Republicans in the state will feel the same way. They might not vote for Talarico but they could leave the Senate race blank, or vote third Party. I don’t think Paxton can afford to lose votes this way.
Ken Paxton is going to need help and lots of it to beat James Talarico. Ted Cruz isn’t the kind of help he needs.
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