General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWho do you want to see as the Democratic nominee for the TX U.S. Senate seat?
It would be great to let us know the reasons for your choice in a reply.
| 119 votes, 4 passes | Time left: Unlimited | |
| James Talarico | |
66 (55%) |
|
| Jasmine Crockett | |
36 (30%) |
|
| No preference | |
17 (14%) |
|
| 4 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided. | |
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pat_k
(13,023 posts)I love Jasmine Crockett, and hate that the thought of her winning fills me with dread. But James Talarico is an exceptional candidate tailor-made to meet the current crisis. He stands out because he has a powerful, compelling, message against Christian Nationalism from the perspective of a devout Christian -- a message that is resonating.
At a time when almost every UnAmerican, UnChristian, Immoral, and Intolerable goal of the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 Christian Nationalist agenda is being implemented by an insane, and wildly unpopular regime, James Talarico is a unique voice that is taking on Christian Nationalism EFFECTIVELY. He is laser-focused on perhaps the biggest threat we face in a way that Crockett just can't compete with.
Skittles
(170,861 posts)I like that he uses facts to combat the fake conservative "christian" nonsense. I really like Jasmine but I wish she had not done this at this time.
pat_k
(13,023 posts)And if you can stand it, his 20 minute sermon against Christian Nationalism really is exceptional:
Skittles
(170,861 posts)I don't have an issue with others believing that stuff, as long as they don't use their delusions in ways that affect me and others. I know a lot of people seem to NEED to believe there's something more, just to be able to live. Whatever.
pat_k
(13,023 posts)Jesus as a humble rabbi who founded a radical community centered on love, justice, and sharing wealth -- a community that challenged political powers and the status quo.
I also like this bit from the sermon:
God is so much bigger than our human categories. God is not a Presbyterian. God is not a Christian.
God it not a noun at all.
God is a verb.
God is not a being.
God is being itself.
God is love.
Skittles
(170,861 posts)and not because they expect some kind of reward in the end
sorry, I really dislike sermons
Stallion
(6,642 posts)not a big religion fans either but am a huge supporter of compassionate morality in politicians
Skittles
(170,861 posts)PERIOD
pat_k
(13,023 posts)I'm with Schopenhauer.
The following is from his The Basis of Morality
Page 214
And this, on the "radical difference of mental habit between the good character and the bad" really struck me.
Page 277
The latter feels everywhere that a thick wall of partition hedges him off from all others. For him the world is an absolute non-ego, and his relation to it an essentially hostile one; consequently, the key-note of his disposition is hatred, suspicion, envy, and pleasure in seeing distress.
The good character, on the other hand, lives in an external world homogeneous with his own being; the rest of mankind is not in his eyes a non-ego; he thinks of it rather as "myself once more." He therefore stands on an essentially amicable footing with every one: he is conscious of being, in his inmost nature, akin to the whole human race, takes direct interest in their weal and woe, and confidently assumes in their case the same interest in him. This is the source of his deep inward peace, and of that happy, calm, contented manner, which goes out on those around him, and is as the "presence of a good diffused."
Whereas the bad character in time of trouble has no trust in the help of his fellow-creatures. If he invokes aid, he does so without confidence: obtained, he feels no real gratitude for it; because he can hardly discern therein anything but the effect of others' folly. For he is simply incapable of recognising his own self in some one else; and this, even after it has furnished the most incontestible signs of existence in that other person: on which fact the repulsive nature of all unthankfulness in reality depends. The moral isolation, which thus naturally and inevitably encompasses the bad man, is often the cause of his becoming the victim of despair.
The good man, on the contrary, will appeal to his neighbours for assistance, with an assurance equal to the consciousness he has of being ready himself to help them. As I have said: to the one type, humanity is a non-ego; to the other, "myself once more." The magnanimous character, who forgives his enemy, and returns good for evil, rises to the sublime, and receives the highest meed of praise; because he recognises his real self even there where it is most conspicuously disowned.
As I read the following bit, DT's "suckers and losers" echoed in my head:
"he feels no real gratitude for it; because he can hardly discern therein anything but the effect of others' folly. "
Skittles
(170,861 posts)one of those walls is RELIGION, it sets people apart from each other
over and out, I really hate debating this crap
Stallion
(6,642 posts)
Midwestern Democrat
(1,029 posts)possible - but what Talarico's doing probably appeals in the Bible Belt. I also favor Talarico, but I doubt any Democrat can win statewide in Texas at this time - I just think he'll lose by considerably less than Crockett, which should be beneficial to Democrats running down ballot.
pat_k
(13,023 posts)Don't forget that in 2018, Beto lost to Cruz by a mere 2.6%. In 2024, Cruz only won by 8.5% -- and that was at the peak of MAGA's strength. In less than a year, the coalition that put the felon in the White House has completely collapsed.
I think Talarico is an incredibly strong candidate perfectly suited for the times. Trump is wildly unpopular. And Christian Nationalist overreach is pissing more and more people off. For example, in November a number of school board candidates swept into office by the "bathroom wars" were swept back out of office as communities saw how these crazies disrupted their schools (and people really don't like chaos and nonsense in their local schools). As a former teacher, quality education is a top issue -- and he has been hammering the Texas Christian Nationalist billionaires that are stealing money from public schools to fund Christian Nationalist private education.
There are many indicators that Democrats have gained something like 7 to 13 points, which makes Cruz's margin of 8.5 relatively slender.
While I prefer Talarico as a desperately needed voice against Christian Nationalism, Jasmine Crockett does have a shot at pulling off a win too, particularly as Republican enthusiasm wanes even further.
Celerity
(54,095 posts)
ALBliberal
(3,308 posts)If Colin Allred couldn’t win …
Love Jasmine!!!!!!!!! But Texas is Texas.
Celerity
(54,095 posts)TX is one fucked up place when it comes to RW political domination. 
ALBliberal
(3,308 posts)pat_k
(13,023 posts)I'm not pulling for Talarico because he is more "electable" (although perhaps he is, but she is a hell of a campaigner). I'm pulling for him because I think he has a unique voice effectively speaking out against Christian Nationalism -- IMO the biggest threat we face as a nation. As I said in my reply above,
hlthe2b
(113,551 posts)She apparently does not think she can win her district, given this latest gerrymander. But, I really do not think she can win statewide (nor, if she seemingly came close, do I think they will 'let her win be certified, but will stop her at all costs).
I just hope Talrico's military background (and the rest of his background) can help him blast the horrific and corrupt Paxton out of the water (assuming he unseats Cornyn in the primary)
Whoever wins the Dem primary, I will be phonebanking for them (as I will for GA's Senator Ossoff).
pat_k
(13,023 posts)His background includes the following roles:
Educational Consultant/Non-Profit Executive: He worked as the Central Texas executive director for Reasoning Mind, an education nonprofit organization.
Politician: He was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2018 at the age of 29 and is currently running for the U.S. Senate in the 2026 election cycle.
Seminarian: He is also an aspiring pastor and currently a Presbyterian seminarian at the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
He has been laser-focused on speaking out against the Christian Nationalist agenda and has been hammering the TX billionaires that have waged a campaign to steal public education dollars to fund Christian Nationalist schools.
Related post (Talarico's incredible sermon against Christian Nationalism in 2023)
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=20849852
hlthe2b
(113,551 posts)
markodochartaigh
(5,376 posts)They are both great. But I think that the male "Christian" has a much better chance to win. I would definitely love to see Rep. Crockett in some role in the next Democratic presidential administration. Some role that would carry her onward and upward nationally.
I would love to live in a country that would overwhelmingly vote for an AOC/Crockett presidential/ vice presidential ticket. But that isn't the US.
Jack Valentino
(4,841 posts)greatly increase minority voter turnout, which is what we REALLY need to win in Texas---
which most people don't realize is NOW a minority-majority state!
pinkstarburst
(1,982 posts)Texas is a Hispanic majority state. Most Hispanics are conservative and religious. They are going to relate to a candidate like Talarico (a Christian Hispanic male) much more strongly than a Black woman, I am sorry to say.
Hispanics make up 40% of the population in Texas.
Black population is 12%
Many people don't understand our population when they keep saying that Texas will get more and more liberal as our "non-white" population keeps growing. Actually, the exact opposite is occurring. The Hispanic population is growing with every census and it is driving Texas to become more conservative. A candidate like Talarico is exactly the type that would have a chance in the general because he would appeal to Hispanic voters.
Jack Valentino
(4,841 posts)the Republican party---- and the polls are showing that to an extreme degree
"Talerico".... Are you saying that he would appeal to hispanic voters in Texas
in the Democratic US Senate primary
just because he has a hispanic last name??
Pfffft.
Jasmine Crockett will be the Democratic US Senate nominee in Texas.
Might as well accept that, and get on board!
pinkstarburst
(1,982 posts)AOC being the nominee for president, it's all, no no, we can't have a woman for president, much less a woman of color.
But now we have a bunch of people on DU who aren't from Texas and have zero understanding of the political climate in Texas who are just so excited that Jasmine Crockett (who has as much chance of being elected as AOC has of becoming president) is going to knock Talarico out of the primary and doom our chances.
Guess what? If Crockett is so afraid that she can't even get elected back to her House seat she has ZERO CHANCE of winning a statewide race. NONE AT ALL. I'm sad about that, but look at how racist and sexist this country was in 2024 when Harris had to run. And she didn't even have to win Texas!
Emile
(41,831 posts)
Bettie
(19,563 posts)anywhere it seems.
Because people are racist and misogynistic.
I have no horse in this race, I live in a different dystopian horror show.
But, Crockett would be a great senator. I know little about the other guy.
Added: Yes, we have elected a few white women recently, but the trend seems to be "no more women, ever".
I understand this, I agree with it, but I don't like it. Women are hated in this country by FAR to many people. We're moving backward.
pat_k
(13,023 posts)Some excerpts and link. I highly recommend listening to the whole thing. He is exceptional.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=20849852
DFW
(60,027 posts)She would also be a fabulous nominee. She would also, I fear, be an unsuccessful nominee, at least in Texas.
Much as I would love for her to knock Cornyn off his pedestal, I don't think the votes are there in Texas to do it. Talarico comes across to me as the one to actually have a chance to win this, much as the thought of having Crockett's voice ringing out on the Senate floor and destroying Republican incompetents in committee hearings would be a scene I would pray to see, if I believed in that sort of thing. Hearing Talarico even bring up religion makes my skin crawl. But Texas won't change between now and next November, and there more than just our choir to preach to if we want to win this. Wanna bet that if Talarico wins the nomination, and Crockett goes out on the stump for him during the campaign, he'll be watching her in awe, thinking to himself, " damn, I wish I could do that."
pat_k
(13,023 posts)He told us we would know them by their fruits.
Jesus includes.
Christian Nationalism excludes.
Jesus liberates.
Christian Nationalism controls.
Jesus saves.
Christian Nationalism kills.
Jesus started a universal movement based on mutual love.
Christian Nationalism is a sectarian movement based on mutual hate.
Jesus came to transform the world.
Christian Nationalism is here to maintain the status quo.
They have co-opted the Son of God. They've turned this humble rabbi into a gun-toting, gay-bashing, science-denying, money-loving, fear-mongering fascist.
. . .
If this was truly a Christian nation, we would love all of our LGBTQ neighbors. If this was truly a Christian nation, we would make sure every child in this state and in this country was housed, fed, clothed, educated, and insured.
If this was truly a Christian nation, we would never make it a Christian nation because we know the table of fellowship is open to everybody, including our Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, and atheist neighbors.
. . .
The closest thing we have to the kingdom of heaven is a multiracial, multicultural democracy where power is truly shared among all people. Something that's yet to exist in human history.
. . .
When someone asked Jesus to name his most important commandment, he cheats and gives two -- two that he says are related. The first is to love God. The second, he said, "Is like it: love they neighbor as thyself." It's like it because when I recognize the divine image in myself, I can't help but recognize it in my neighbor; whether they're Christian or not, whether they're religious or not. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus specifically defines neighbor as some different from us, racially, economically, politically, religiously. God loves diversity; God loves variety. Just look around this beautiful planet of ours.
. . .
God is so much bigger than our human categories. God is not a Presbyterian. God is not a Christian.
God it not a noun at all.
God is a verb.
God is not a being.
God is being itself.
God is love.
And that's why Jesus is against anything that gets in the way of that love between neighbors, including religion.
. . .
That's why he says sinners will get to the kingdom of heaven before religious people do. Sorry to everyone here. I know you came all this way.
. . .
The kingdom of God inverts the power dynamics of "all the kingdoms in the world."
True strength is vulnerability.
True status is equality.
True wealth is sharing.
And we as Christians are called to realize that kingdom "on earth as it is in heaven," not by force, but by faith.
Jesus asked us to have the faith of a mustard seed, trusting that by living and dying for love we give birth to a better world.
That's not easy to do.
. . .
Christian Nationalists are more committed to the love of power than the power of love.
And it exposes a lack of faith because the opposite of faith is not doubt. Doubt is a healthy part of any faith.
The opposite of faith is control. When we stop trusting God, when we stop trusting love, we start taking control for ourselves.
Christian Nationalists want to control what we read, who we marry, where we travel, when we have children. They want to control our minds and our bodies.
"O ye of little faith."
. . .
Jose Garcia
(3,480 posts)DFW
(60,027 posts)Etc. Etc.
Not everybody wins. But some do. To ignore their successes is to insult them. Getting elected to the US Senate or to the governorship of a state, especially a state where being the nominee of one party does not automatically guarantee victory in the general election, is not a trivial accomplishment.
surfered
(12,845 posts)Jack Valentino
(4,841 posts)I was just reading an article about this today.... People forget that Texas is now a minority-majority state!
African-Americans and Latinos and other minorities outnumber the white people in that state...
Texas isn't so much of a Republican majority state as it is a non-voting state! The voting record of minorities is very poor.
I think they need the inspiration that an African-American statewide candidate who can connect with them would bring---
and she has been very visible and would generate national enthusiasm for her candidacy,
and maybe help from outside that these other candidates wouldn't---
even FEET ON THE GROUND, which is what the Democratic candidates in Texas need more than anything,
ORGANIZING voter turnout of minorities!
I don't see Talerico or whatever his name is, having any such potential---
With all the Trump backlash and blacks and hispanics (and everyone else) being alienated by the Republicans,
and ANGRY, 2026 looks to me like the best possible year for a
Jasmine Crockett for US Senate campaign in Texas!
Furthermore, at this juncture it appears to me that she will runaway with the Democratic primary!
pat_k
(13,023 posts)I have no opinion on which candidate would be more "electable." I am pulling for James Talarico because his is a unique voice we desperately need on the national stage at this juncture. What makes him exceptional is his powerful, compelling, message against Christian Nationalism from the perspective of a devout Christian -- a message that is resonating.
At a time when almost every UnAmerican, UnChristian, Immoral, and Intolerable goal of the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 Christian Nationalist agenda is being implemented by an insane, and wildly unpopular regime, James Talarico is taking on Christian Nationalism EFFECTIVELY. He is laser-focused on perhaps the biggest threat we face in a way that Crockett just can't compete with.
Emile
(41,831 posts)it's Jasmine Crockett. The mythical Republican crossover vote for a moderate is not going to happen. The formula for a Crockett victory lies in following the path blazed by O’Rourke, while increasing the intensive GOTV work necessary to close that gap with voters of color.
Jack Valentino
(4,841 posts)NOT 'cautious moderates' or candidates who want to
"be bi-partisan with satan incarnate" or "triangulators",
or some state legislator candidate with a smaller base than Crockett
who wants to debate religion with the far-right wing!
(Sure, that's an issue, which isn't likely to do much to mobilize
the people of color in Texas!)
'CAUTION' and an attempt at 'moderation' is what cost Hillary the 2016 election by a few thousand votes in three states---
she SHOULD have found herself an African-American running mate SOMEWHERE,
to try to minimize the inevitable fall-off of AA voting after the first black president---
and that person would have become a new 'star' to encourage minority voting!
(which I said before she chose her running mate,
and I think Joe Biden or his people possibly heard me)
Instead, she chose a "safe" boring white male (speaking as another boring white male),
and if I recall correctly, the 2016 AA voter turnout in my state of Michigan
dropped to mid-term election levels in key counties... which sealed her defeat in this state.
Joe Biden chose differently----- and he won here, and across the country!
2026 is NOT the year for Democrats to try to be 'moderate and cautious and rather WHITE again'---
that has NOT worked, and it hasn't worked in Texas!
It is time to be BOLD and FIGHT! THAT strategy elected a 'socialist' in New York city,
and that same strategy could elect an AA woman to the Senate seat in Texas!
(tired of Democrats apologizing in advance for what they believe in)
pinkstarburst
(1,982 posts)is that while Black voters tend to lean progressive, Hispanic voters tend to be quite conservative. The fact that our Hispanic population is growing so much is the reason our state is continuing to get MORE conservative, not less.
I truly hope Crockett does not win the primary. I think Talarico is our one shot of actually winning, and I think Crockett has zero chance of appealing to Texas voters in the statewide election, about as much appeal as AOC would have to general voters in 2028.
Huge mistake.
Jack Valentino
(4,841 posts)regardless of how they voted in 2024----
they leaned right in 2024 because of "affordability",
but now Trump OWNS that failure---
not to mention that they don't particularly appreciate their friends and neighbors
being kidnapped and deported, even when they are not 'criminals'
and have been here for many years---
What Trump has been doing is not 'conservative'....
it is radically authoritarian, which hispanics don't like too much either....
I believe that Crockett is the only Democratic chance to "light a fire"
under those Democratic leaning voters who have not been participating---
Any other nominee will CERTAINLY end up as just another boring loss...
Retrograde
(11,409 posts)Texan, African-American, even a former pro-football player: he should have been a shoo-in for senator in 2024. Both Crockett and Talerico would be better senators than the GOPer they'd replace, but Texas gonna Texas.
mvd
(65,893 posts)I like both though. We’ll see how it plays out.
In It to Win It
(12,611 posts)Emile
(41,831 posts)That is very appealing to the Democratic base.
DFW
(60,027 posts)But the Democratic base alone isn't going to elect anyone statewide in Texas. You need crossover from Republicans, and that means people who don't like Trump, but would never vote for someone they see as a "firebrand libbrul." I would LOVE to have Crockett as my Senator. I would NOT love to see the polls ten days out if the choice is Crockett or Cornyn. We just won't get the crossover.
Talarico's sermon about Jesus and God makes MY skin crawl, but it WILL play in more of Texas than Crockett's fiery rhetoric, even though that is exactly what we need in the Senate. But if Cornyn beats her 57-43, or even 52-48, we don't get our wish. With Talarico, we might. I want the seas to be free of mercury, non-biodegradable debris and microplastics, and the climate to cool down by 2°. But I'm not getting them, either.
Emile
(41,831 posts)Jasmine Crockett candidacy will not only be exciting and inspiring; it also represents Democrats’ best chance to flip the Lone Star state and shift the political balance of power in this country for decades to come.
DFW
(60,027 posts)You seem to know quite a bit about us.
Emile
(41,831 posts)I know that people of color are 61 percent of the population in Texas. Jasmine Crockett can efficiently and effectively attract hundreds of thousands of new voters to the polls.
pinkstarburst
(1,982 posts)Texas has the following demographic breakdown:
40% Hispanic
40% White
12% Black
5% Asian
This is another reason I think Talarico has a better chance of winning.
Emile
(41,831 posts)She will also attract the black voters. Any democratic candidate to have a chance, they have to get big turnout in the Black community. Women make up 51% of the general election vote, they make up more than 57% of the Democratic primary vote, according to research compiled by Derek Ryan at Ryan Data & Research. If Crockett can appeal to female voters better than Talarico, she has a clear path to the nomination.
pinkstarburst
(1,982 posts)That's what disappoints me so much about her choice to run. Talarico is running from a much more conservative position and actually has a chance to pulling over some Hispanic independent and moderate votes. Crockett has zero chance. I truly hope she does not win the primary.
Emile
(41,831 posts)pinkstarburst
(1,982 posts)conservative Hispanic men are going to vote for an outspoken Black progressive woman in Texas? Because judging by the past few major elections, all data suggests the opposite.
Emile
(41,831 posts)pinkstarburst
(1,982 posts)She appeals to progressive democrats across the country. She will sink like a flat balloon once she has to run in the general in Texas.
It's the same problem with AOC. Both of these brilliant women are democratic firebrands. But to win in a general election, they have to win the votes of (I'm sorry to say) backwards conservative voters. AOC has no chance of winning the general election in 2028 so it would be a huge mistake to nominate her.
Crockett has no chance of winning in Texas. She plays well only to a tiny sliver of progressive democrats and Texas is very, very conservative, and growing more conservative because our Hispanic population grows larger with every census. We are now a Hispanic majority state. Someone like Talarico, who is a Hispanic man, has a better chance of appealing to Hispanic voters, and both rallying Democratic voters to show up at the polls, while perhaps also convincing some Hispanic voters in the middle who might be unhappy with immigration and ICE to flip their votes.
With Crockett, we're going to encounter the same racism and sexism we saw with Harris, and with Clinton.
TBF
(36,299 posts)we thought we had our candidate! And then reality hit the polls, the dem party cut off funding, and it was a landslide against her.
And for the folks telling us "latinos and blacks" - YES, and they overwhelmingly voted for Davis more than 10 years ago. But unfortunately, the old white people out-number them handily in TX.
Ping Tung
(4,343 posts)pinkstarburst
(1,982 posts)I love Crockett. I wish we could keep her in the House. But she has as unlikely a chance of winning a statewide election in Texas as AOC has of winning the general election in 2028. Post after post here on DU talks about how the country is too racist and sexist for a woman president (and a woman of color just means racism and sexism are both at play.) Texas, I'm sorry to say, is leading the country in being a backwards state at the moment.
Crockett has zero chance of winning that senate seat. She has been a democratic firebrand and that is never going to be acceptable to the moderate and independent voters she would need to sway. Talarico is a Hispanic man and Texas is a Hispanic majority state. He would have a much better chance of flipping some votes.
I will be voting for Talarico.
Paladin
(32,354 posts)Their competition virtually guarantees that one of them is doomed to failure---maybe both of them.
JCMach1
(29,167 posts)
MineralMan
(151,054 posts)So, my opinion of Texas politics is totally worthless. I'll leave that to Texas Democrats to decide.
Further, we should all be focusing on our own states, not other states.
SocialDemocrat61
(7,439 posts)
EdmondDantes_
(1,651 posts)and not being a Texas voter, I'm not invested enough to care. My loose impression is that either way would require a significant wave year
Americanme
(459 posts)I really like Talarico, even though I am an atheist. He is a very good speaker, doesn't seem interested in forcing his religion on others, and he seems to have impeccable morality. But Jasmine Crockett has something special. Call it charisma, or whatever. She gets my attention. She speaks more like I do. I want to cheer when I hear her. But, I am not a Texas voter, and I know she may be facing an uphill battle. I hate to think of either of them losing.
RetiredParatrooper
(145 posts)And either one would make a fine Senator. Texas being Texas, I think Talarico has a better shot.
Trailrider1951
(3,579 posts)She's what Texas needs most right now to flush away 30 years of Republican bullshit.
And I hear the ghost of Shirley Chisolm whispering, "Go for it!"
TBF
(36,299 posts)in the suburbs with the other soccer moms. Talarico might have a chance & I plan to help on his campaign if I can. Grandson of a Baptist preacher at least has the chops for crossover votes, especially if there are moderates annoyed with MAGA. But it is also Texas so I'm trying not to get my hopes up. I have no idea why Crockett is running for a state-wide position but if she ends up as the candidate I'll vote for her. Not that it will matter. That's my honest opinion in the trenches.