Last night someone asked me how Texas looked. Here's the data

[brooklynite]

October polling average:
Biden 50.3
Trump 49.6

Cook: Lean R
Sabato: Lean R
Inside Elections: Tilt R
Politico: Lean R
Economist: 71% Trump
538: 65% Trump
Decision Desk: 57% Trump

The fact that Texas is in play is an amazing story, but it's still an incredibly challenging and expensive State to campaign in. Shifting turnout by a percent or two involves hundreds of thousands of people. Biden is reportedly putting some late money into Texas advertising, but I'm not sure it'll work out, and the fossil fuel discussion last night may not help.

[Efilroft Sul]

1. Alternately, Trump channeled Stephen Miller during the catch-and-release portion.

He said only the stupid immigrants came would show up at their hearings, and that shouldn't play well in Texas, Florida, and Arizona. Plus, there's some debate going on whether or not Trump responded "good" or "go ahead" with regard to the hundreds of children separated from their parents at the border.

I think making a major play for Texas should be done. As you said, it's challenging and expensive, but it's an amazing opportunity with high rewards.

[JCMach1]

2. Only 1.5% work in the oil industry mainly in West (red) areas of TX

So no, the oil question was pretty meaningless except to Republicans and 1%

[TwilightZone]

3. Not really.

The oil and gas industry is a significant chunk of the tax base and plenty of Texans who don't work in the industry view it as part of the state's identity.

Also, most of the refineries, manufacturing, and related industries are centered around the Gulf, for obvious reasons.

[JCMach1]

5. My point is it is MUCH less significant than a generation ago.

Not your grandpa's Texas

Less than 9% of TX GDP

[TwilightZone]

6. That doesn't mean that people aren't affected by it.

It funds schools, universities, teachers, roads, healthcare, infrastructure, the Rainy Day Fund, etc.

Similarly, most of us don't work in the banking industry. That doesn't mean we're not affected by it. Or pretty much any major industry.

[JCMach1]

7. I will just agree to disagree

[lagomorph777]

4. Joe should run an ad about how he'll create new, better energy jobs to replace fossil fuel jobs.