[This young new candidate in Texas for US Senate] disagrees with fellow Democrats who have been campaigning on “defending democracy” against Trump. “I am not interested in defending this broken political system,” he said. “I’m interested in transformation, not preservation, and I think that is a fundamental mindset shift that has to happen in the national Democratic Party."
--James Talarico, 36, announcing he will run in the 2026 Democratic primary for US Senate in Texas, in the WashPost
But really -- "defending Democracy" translates in many working-class ears to "defending the establishment," "preserving the status quo." In short, condoning the corruption of money and power that has the working world in its claws (and always has?).
I can see the need to think like MAGA, admit that the whole system is fucked and needs major renovation, and doesn't it? Starting with that whole Electoral College deal, with its lopsided obeisance to maps, with equal numbers of senators whether your map is largely empty of permanent residents or is crowded with big cities. There's something just basically unfair too about a president who couldn't win the popular vote but won the electoral college.
I'll be watching Talarico. He's a former middle school teacher who has served in the Texas House since 2018 and is studying to become a Presbyterian pastor. "With appeals to the Christian faith, he has gone viral for his impassioned speeches against Texas Republicans’ policy priorities, particularly their recent proposals for school vouchers and the required display of the Ten Commandments in public schools." His grilling of the Republican sponsor of the Texas Ten Commandments law shows him sharp but respectful, like a good Christian should be:
I'll be watching Talarico. He's a former middle school teacher who has served in the Texas House since 2018 and is studying to become a Presbyterian pastor. "With appeals to the Christian faith, he has gone viral for his impassioned speeches against Texas Republicans’ policy priorities, particularly their recent proposals for school vouchers and the required display of the Ten Commandments in public schools." His grilling of the Republican sponsor of the Texas Ten Commandments law shows him sharp but respectful, like a good Christian should be:
Talarico appeared on Joe Rogan's podcast. Rogan came around in the conversation and offered that Talarico should run for president. I believe he was sincere.
Here's the rub: Talarico enters a primary that already includes former congressman Colin Allred, the party’s 2024 nominee for Senate in Texas. According to WashPost, Allred lost by 9 percentage points, "but he attracted the national Democratic support that Texas Democrats have long craved and outperformed the party’s presidential ticket in the state." Allred's been campaigning all this year, raising money and forming a team. Talarico is going to look like a spoiler coming into the race right now, and the Party establishment in Texas may punish him. I want him for our side.
2 comments:
There's something to the idea that defending democracy is really defending the establishment status quo. Very few politicians go to D.C. and do not get wealthy; too many do so exceptionally. Madame Foxx is a good example of corruption. Positions such as Talarico suggests could well bring Democrats to the Constitutional Convention, but if they are attracted, they had better do exceptional studying and be ready to promote working changes that empower the people's interest rather than that of the wealthy and their ilk, who have demonstrated how luck and preparation have delivered their ability to get power for the minority. The U.S. Constitution rests on the idea of making sure minorities have avenues to power.
Who's to say that Talarico could not become wealthy if sponsored by vested interests and elected to the Senate? He claims to oppose the two party system
as it has gotten more co-opted over the decades, but we have seen newcomers
bought again and again. Who can turn down millions and endure asymmetrical
opposition? It's like a game show where the rules are extremely strict, and those who don't conform are quickly eliminated.
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