With a new election cycle coming around, you won't be surprised to find out that the Texas Lock-Step Political Media is reverting to type. Instead of Wendy! we're getting MJ!
The woman you missed while you were paying attention to Beto. Mimi Swartz, New York Times
Clearly, instead of red sneakers, we're going to get the floral arm tattoo. And Military Service! AND a Purple Heart! And she ONLY LOST BY 3 PERCENTAGE POINTS DAMMIT!!!!!!
At this point there's not much else to say except, bring on the funny. I would argue that it's unwise for the TLSPM to continue to try and build these people up to such extremes. Not only does it have the effect of turning off those who are the closest thing we get to "swing" voters in Texas but it also creates an aura of fatigue.
People grow tired of being told, by a media they really don't like or trust, just how WONDERFUL these people are. Don't believe me? How's Wendy!(?) doing these days, or BETO! The latter is probably still sweating obviously, but what he's not doing is wooing the rest of the progressive world in the same manner as he's got the TLSPM in a swoon.
Every new candidate from the Democrats running for statewide office can rely on these high-school crushes, from Swartz (one of the worst examples of the TLSPM) and others (specifically, the Texas Tribune) before they even have to knock on one door.
Then the problem becomes that they have to start campaigning, and trying to square with the voting public that, in many cases, their priorities run counter to what a (dwindling) majority of Texas voters still find desirable.
Yes, Texas is turning more purple, and it's downright blue in its major urban areas. Areas that, not coincidentally, are increasingly finding themselves in fiscal Hell. But, except for the hard-core non-productive, advocacy class, the left of the Lone Star State is still more conservative than the rest of the country.
Yes, you have the InterLeft, what's left of them, who, when they aren't throwing fits, take a look around and decide that what Texas needs is a complete decimation of its economy but, for the most part, a LOT of those in Texas who identify as Democrats still understand that the industries that Texas economy is built on will need to be around for the good of their personal economic health.
That is why BETO the Sweaty, patron saint of privileged Caucasian Youth couldn't beat the most unpopular Senator in Texas History and it is why Hegar, no matter her credentials, is going to have a problem toppling a Senator who is much more favorably viewed.
Not by the TLSPM obviously, but at this point they really don't like anything. And there's mounting evidence that no one is really paying all that much attention to a former Texan who has decided to move to New York City, possibly the only place she would be considered an expert on Texas politics, to explain us rubes to those urbane New Yorkers.
Of course, none of this is evidence that a Hegar campaign is doomed. She could tack to the center-left and in an anti-Trump wave election topple Cornyn, who could, despite his seeming competence, be knocked out by factors beyond his control.
Any bets the TLSPM takes the wrong lesson away from that?
On another, funnier, note. Perennial (Losing) Candidate Chris Bell is contemplating entering this race. One can only hope.
