Well, not quite in those words, but it’s strongly implied that there’s a problem. When *Paxton* complains. What’s wrong with this picture? Paxton has a rough battle ahead of him against James Talarico. He may even lose. Far be it from us to complain about that prospect. By all means, Ken, go ahead and dig your hole deeper.
But it’s actually surprising for him to say anything against Trump. That’s how he won the primary, right? Because Trump backed him over Cornyn after Cornyn told him no. Now all this dirt is coming out about Paxton, and Texas voters are souring on him (good). He’s backing away a bit. This is a contradiction in terms, yes? Trump’s brand is collapsing as Paxton and other MAGA politicians are backing away, too. Trump is in trouble. Paxton is, too, of course. It may be too little, too late for them.
It’s time for some quotes from Raw Story:
This is most clearly exemplified by the new reporting that Ken Paxton, the far-right Texas attorney general now running for Senate, privately complained that the MAGA convention in Dallas hurt his election prospects. “Trump right now is toxic, personally, more than he’s ever been,” said Wallace, citing the Iran war, the deterioration of the economy, and his controversial vanity projects like the White House ballroom. “Everything he points to and talks about is either politically toxic or represents a grift and a theft from the taxpayer.“
“It’s a real wake-up call when Ken Paxton, of all people, is calling you too toxic,” said Smith. “This is a guy who has been described as having the morals of a lizard. He was impeached by the Republican House for bribery and abuse of power. He was reported to the FBI by his senior staff.”
Yeahhh. That morals of a lizard line is great because it’s pretty much true. If the backing away gets noticed by Trump, it will become a problem. It’s happening all across the US. Trump has become ostracized. But Trump won’t see it that way. He’ll see it as abandonment, and *that* will cause real problems. Everyone knows what happens when he feels someone has disappointed him. It’s ugly.
It could damage a MAGA senator. They need all the help they can get this year because it looks like we’re heading towards a Republican wipeout as the blue wave is coming. They *have* to separate themselves from Trump. Burned-out die-hard MAGA fans are calling for his impeachment. He’s losing people right and left from the White House, not necessarily the public ‘cabinet’ members we see, but actual staff, and they are going quietly– the rats deserting the sinking ship.
Can’t say we ever expected that. People are leaving, but not loudly, although there are a few that have made public statements. That looks like even more of a debacle for Republicans. They are staring at a cliff, and the edge is closer. It’s almost a pity they didn’t figure out Trump sooner. They were complacent and felt they would retain their seat. Not anymore. Definitely not anymore. Can we please get Milquetoast Mike Johnson out of the Speaker role? He is not fit to be in the line of succession. And we hope Hakeem Jeffries is strong enough to do so. Being in the minority party has throttled him down, but mostly, not completely, and thank your chosen deity for that.
Ken Paxton thinks the midterm convention hurt him. Lizard Ken Paxton. He sees the Trump writing on the wall, and it’s not good. Trump’s approval rating is in the 30s, which will backfire on Republicans. Is Ken Paxton regretting his decision? Probably so, but he’ll see it to the bitter end because he is in Texas, and Texas is red.
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
