Tag: Texas

by Shelt Garner
@sheltgarner

First, let me say that I’m not from Texas and don’t know anything about its internal politics. But I do know, on a macro level, that it definitely looks as though there will never be another center-Left state-wide office holder there unless it’s part of a Second Reconstruction in a post-Second American Civil War won by Blue States.

But there is at least one wild card at the moment, and that’s Matthew McConaughey. He sort of embodies the spirit of modern Texas (IMHO) and it’s easy to see him becoming governor for the same reasons that Trump became POTUS — everyone imbued him with their hopes and fears, not really knowing anything about him.

And, if McConaughey can just prove himself capable of Not Being Trump in Texas, he will be the de facto shadow Democratic candidate for 2024. Now, things would get really weird if he rans a Republican. But, I find that unlikely because I would be flabbergasted if he was willing to pander to the MAGA New Right base that much.

I don’t think we’re prepared for how much POTUS talk would swirl around McConaughey if he ran and won in Texas. It would be very, very intense. He’s the perfect post-Obama, post-Trump post-Rona candidate. But he has to decide to run and he has to win.

And, like I said, even if he won, the case could be made that Republicans would find out some way, anyway to nullify his win, just like they’re probably going to do in January 2025 with any Biden win nationally.

But it will be interesting, no matter what.

I just don’t see Beto O’Rourke ever having a shot at winning in Texas. He’s always going to be the guy who Should Win, not the guy who Will Win.