This was actually rather unexpected. Texas is deep red and has been for a while. Emphatically so. But it appears they might be considering a change. Might being the operative word. But early voting has started, and there’s been some news that has come out that is honestly and pleasantly surprising.
In-person voting has produced something that we were hoping for, but could not count on. It’s produced a double-digit swing towards Democrats in two counties that Trump won. It, thus far, doesn’t look like he and his Republicans are going to win those counties. Turnout has been impressive for midterms, which generally make less of a splash than elections in a presidential year.
To what do we owe this loveliness? Possibly Trump, and possibly wretched red candidates who also happen to be associated with Trump. Paxton is both wretched and a Trump arse-kisser. The entire state knows he is a crook and an idiot on top of it, because he was exposed in a couple of ways, which is an example of poor planning. He shouldn’t have done things in the first place, but again, idiot.
However, the subject at hand isn’t actually Paxton. It’s far too easy to rip on him. And highly enjoyable, but nevertheless. The subject is a hint of what might happen now through the closing of Election Day. Thus far, Talarico appears to be in the lead. Sure, it’s only been one day of early voting, but it’s a positive beginning, and we can hope that it will encourage other voters to do so, particularly those who will choose Talarico. If anyone stays home, it should only be red voters who won’t choose either of them. And anyone who will vote for Paxton or Abbott. Yes, that’s petty.
There are other races where Republicans were expected to do well and aren’t. This is when a list should have been created and wasn’t, a result of poor planning and lack of forethought. Oops. Moving on. The thing that seems to be so surprising is that it’s *Texas*. Yes, there are now other states up for grabs, and Democrats need every person they can get, but Texas really is one of the last places you would think blue had a chance.
Republicans are spending a lot on Paxton. They are spending a lot that could be used elsewhere, in races that were originally thought to be safe red seats. The thing we seem to forget is that blue seats could flip red, too. It’s looking less and less likely, but anything is possible in America these days. Trump is doing more harm than good. His ratings keep sliding down, and he’s responsible for a lot of crap, like the Forever War, inflation, grocery prices, and Pete Hegseth.
If you’re a Republican, you’re automatically associated with Trump, and distancing yourself from him now isn’t working well. Republicans shoved through the BUB. They are getting blamed for the end of Obamacare assistance and the horrible cuts to Medicaid, and, lest we forget, permanent tax cuts for the very rich, which they definitely do not need! That’s just the beginning.
But still, a double-digit swing towards Democrats in 2 “Trump counties” in Texas is something to remember. We can’t rest on our one day of laurels. We can ease back now. We need to keep pushing up and through Election Day. Our country needs help. Our country needs people’s lives back, not this constant battle to be able to live. Our country needs us. We can’t stop now.
Jump-off point thanks to Raw Story.
Friends, I know everybody begs you for money. I promise you that, of all the outlets bugging you for spare change, we are the smallest and the hardest-working. We’re a bunch of old, disabled people, except for one writer in his mid-50s. But the rest of us are in our sixties and seventies, and this is a labor of love. All we’re asking for is the ability to continue our quest to tell the truth about Trump and help ensure democracy survives. If you can help, please do. Thank you. Ursula
