She’s been going around saying that she doesn’t need to flip Trump voters, she’ll wave the magic turnout wand and that will put her over the top. Of course there is zero evidence that will work. My question though- does she herself believe this? Seems to me she’s just trying to raise her profile so she can get a cable TV contributor gig. Good for her I guess? But it’s not like MSNBC is what it used to be - it’s not even MSNBC anymore. I just wish the Democratic primary electorate would stop chasing shiny objects and put their support behind people who actually want the job.
This is just a last gasp at relevancy. Crockett got redistricted out of a congressional seat and will get destroyed by Talarico in the primary. She’ll sling mud and act a fool, but Talarico is the perfect candidate to counter that. He’s the embodiment of “going high”
She's the darling of the Resistance b/c of her spicy broadsides against Trump. In my mind, her popularity epitomizes everything that's wrong with the progressive Left: hyper-partisanship, snark, self-righteousness, substantive emptiness, and hypocrisy.
It's a bit of "live by the sword, die by the sword" though is it not? I'm pretty sure "the constant use of race and gender to deflect from political disagreements by the Democratic elite", began with the 2012 Obama reelection campaign, and it proved effective. Admittedly, Romney was in retrospect a shit Republican candidate, but Obama had no business getting reelected based on his record, except that Democrats were able to shut down all critiques from the left and many from the right with accusations of racism. But the price paid for that was pretty high in that once unleashed, nobody really knows when and where it is or is not appropriate to use that tactic, and it does certainly backfire at times.
I think an important question is, what is her motivation for running? Does she think she can win or is she just trying to raise her national profile to drive social media engagement, donations, and set herself up for her next career? My most extreme left wing friend, who is a wealthy white lady who lives nowhere near Texas, absolutely loves Crockett.
She's practically telling everyone that she has no plan or chance of winning. Imagine the pure, unadulterated contempt she has for someone like your friend. "Can you believe these dumb white women keep throwing money at me?" has to be her personal motto.
I'm not sure you can hold quantitative "effectiveness" against her, in this environment. I don't really know how the value is calculated, but how could a junior member of the House minority get bills passed vs the MAGA Republicans? They negotiate in bad faith in committee then they vote to oppose the final version anyway. They call it the "inside/outside" strategy. In this environment, even a brilliant, more senior legislator like Jamie Raskin can't achieve a high pass rate. I share your distaste for Crockett's shenanigans. A high social media "views" count doesn't equate to a successful legislative career. And neither does a high House "effectiveness" value predict a succesful race for or career in, the Senate.
I could be a hopeless dreamer but maybe her candidacy will help break the racism spell so many Democrats have put themselves under. As you note there is no substance behind her. She exists to entertain and please people who are already on her side. In Texas, where I live, that’s a guaranteed way to lose. She’s so over the top that even many on the left recognize it. Her and her defenders calling everyone critical of her racist may just be a bridge too far. Even AOC seems unenthusiastic about her running. I’ve noticed many people on the online feel the same way.
Talarico is my preferred candidate. I think he’ll be both a good legislator and has the best chance to win as well as help downballot democrats. (I’m also out-of-state so my opinion doesn’t matter)
As much as I support Talarico, I feel like the attacks on Crockett are hyperbolic and unfair. For example, I just read her quote about regarding winning Trump voters and think you’ve taken it out of context.
A great deal of Americans and of Texans are apolitical. In some ways Crockett, with her passion, humor, and willingness to say things that other politicians won’t is the perfect candidate to appeal to the anti-incumbent voters of the last few cycles.
Courage, excitement, and clarity are important qualities of a candidate and Crockett has all of those. Have we already forgotten how stuck Congressional Democrats were this past February? At the time, she was one of the lone voices. Having Crockett go on the offensive made a difference. She’s been highlighting the hypocrisy, corruption, and immorality of this administration and their feckless supporters in Congress better than almost everyone.
We’ll see what Texas primary voters decide. But generally, I think it’s useful to have two candidates promoting Democratic ideas and garnering media attention leading up to the primary.
I'm ambivalent on the Texas Senate, but it certainly is odd that folks who prefer Talarico don't just do more for his campaign - volunteer, donate, etc, instead of a lot of the other stuff they are doing. You end up confirming people's priors that Zaid is arguing against here.
I’m unclear about the meaning of your response. Did you intend to respond to my comment?
Zaid is criticizing Crockett as a weak candidate with a foolish strategy to focus on turnout rather than persuasion. Which I think is hyperbolic.
Do you disagree with my assessment? If so, why.
As far as most Talarico supporters: are they defending Crockett as I am? If so, how would that be confirming people’s priors that Zaid is arguing against here. Do you think I or they are incapable of criticizing a female and/or Black candidate?
I have no idea about what you mean by “a lot of the other stuff they are doing.”
It is embarrassing that you had to spell it out so clearly and repeatedly. Democrats btw are not interested. She is the face of wherever the D’s are headed this week.
She’s been going around saying that she doesn’t need to flip Trump voters, she’ll wave the magic turnout wand and that will put her over the top. Of course there is zero evidence that will work. My question though- does she herself believe this? Seems to me she’s just trying to raise her profile so she can get a cable TV contributor gig. Good for her I guess? But it’s not like MSNBC is what it used to be - it’s not even MSNBC anymore. I just wish the Democratic primary electorate would stop chasing shiny objects and put their support behind people who actually want the job.
Great takes on this! Coming from a Texan from a small town!
This is just a last gasp at relevancy. Crockett got redistricted out of a congressional seat and will get destroyed by Talarico in the primary. She’ll sling mud and act a fool, but Talarico is the perfect candidate to counter that. He’s the embodiment of “going high”
She's the darling of the Resistance b/c of her spicy broadsides against Trump. In my mind, her popularity epitomizes everything that's wrong with the progressive Left: hyper-partisanship, snark, self-righteousness, substantive emptiness, and hypocrisy.
It's a bit of "live by the sword, die by the sword" though is it not? I'm pretty sure "the constant use of race and gender to deflect from political disagreements by the Democratic elite", began with the 2012 Obama reelection campaign, and it proved effective. Admittedly, Romney was in retrospect a shit Republican candidate, but Obama had no business getting reelected based on his record, except that Democrats were able to shut down all critiques from the left and many from the right with accusations of racism. But the price paid for that was pretty high in that once unleashed, nobody really knows when and where it is or is not appropriate to use that tactic, and it does certainly backfire at times.
I think an important question is, what is her motivation for running? Does she think she can win or is she just trying to raise her national profile to drive social media engagement, donations, and set herself up for her next career? My most extreme left wing friend, who is a wealthy white lady who lives nowhere near Texas, absolutely loves Crockett.
She's not stupid. She's PT Barnum.
She's practically telling everyone that she has no plan or chance of winning. Imagine the pure, unadulterated contempt she has for someone like your friend. "Can you believe these dumb white women keep throwing money at me?" has to be her personal motto.
No doubt, I had the same thought.
I'm not sure you can hold quantitative "effectiveness" against her, in this environment. I don't really know how the value is calculated, but how could a junior member of the House minority get bills passed vs the MAGA Republicans? They negotiate in bad faith in committee then they vote to oppose the final version anyway. They call it the "inside/outside" strategy. In this environment, even a brilliant, more senior legislator like Jamie Raskin can't achieve a high pass rate. I share your distaste for Crockett's shenanigans. A high social media "views" count doesn't equate to a successful legislative career. And neither does a high House "effectiveness" value predict a succesful race for or career in, the Senate.
A very well written piece.
I could be a hopeless dreamer but maybe her candidacy will help break the racism spell so many Democrats have put themselves under. As you note there is no substance behind her. She exists to entertain and please people who are already on her side. In Texas, where I live, that’s a guaranteed way to lose. She’s so over the top that even many on the left recognize it. Her and her defenders calling everyone critical of her racist may just be a bridge too far. Even AOC seems unenthusiastic about her running. I’ve noticed many people on the online feel the same way.
Talarico is my preferred candidate. I think he’ll be both a good legislator and has the best chance to win as well as help downballot democrats. (I’m also out-of-state so my opinion doesn’t matter)
As much as I support Talarico, I feel like the attacks on Crockett are hyperbolic and unfair. For example, I just read her quote about regarding winning Trump voters and think you’ve taken it out of context.
A great deal of Americans and of Texans are apolitical. In some ways Crockett, with her passion, humor, and willingness to say things that other politicians won’t is the perfect candidate to appeal to the anti-incumbent voters of the last few cycles.
Courage, excitement, and clarity are important qualities of a candidate and Crockett has all of those. Have we already forgotten how stuck Congressional Democrats were this past February? At the time, she was one of the lone voices. Having Crockett go on the offensive made a difference. She’s been highlighting the hypocrisy, corruption, and immorality of this administration and their feckless supporters in Congress better than almost everyone.
We’ll see what Texas primary voters decide. But generally, I think it’s useful to have two candidates promoting Democratic ideas and garnering media attention leading up to the primary.
My god it is astonishing to me how gullible people are. I hope someone has your money in trust.
I'm ambivalent on the Texas Senate, but it certainly is odd that folks who prefer Talarico don't just do more for his campaign - volunteer, donate, etc, instead of a lot of the other stuff they are doing. You end up confirming people's priors that Zaid is arguing against here.
I’m unclear about the meaning of your response. Did you intend to respond to my comment?
Zaid is criticizing Crockett as a weak candidate with a foolish strategy to focus on turnout rather than persuasion. Which I think is hyperbolic.
Do you disagree with my assessment? If so, why.
As far as most Talarico supporters: are they defending Crockett as I am? If so, how would that be confirming people’s priors that Zaid is arguing against here. Do you think I or they are incapable of criticizing a female and/or Black candidate?
I have no idea about what you mean by “a lot of the other stuff they are doing.”
I'm agreeing with you Conor :)
I like when people agree with me so I guess you can see how confused I was.
It is embarrassing that you had to spell it out so clearly and repeatedly. Democrats btw are not interested. She is the face of wherever the D’s are headed this week.