Let's talk about how Trump missed a deadline and scrambled a GOP senate race.... - Belle of the Ranch

[TexasTowelie]

Well, howdy there Internet people. It's Belle again. So, today we're going to talk about how Trump missed a deadline and scrambled a GOP Senate race.

Trump had big plans for the Republican Texas primary for the US Senate race. He was going to endorse a candidate and make the other candidate bow out. When talking about the runoff between Cornyn and Paxton, Trump said, "It must stop now. We have an easy to beat radical left opponent, and we have to totally focus on putting him away quickly and decisively. Both John and Ken ran great races, but not good enough. Now, this one must be perfect. My endorsements within the Republican party have been virtually insurmountable. It is such an honor to realize and say that almost everyone I endorse wins and wins by a lot, especially in Texas. I will be making my endorsement soon and will be asking the candidate that I don't endorse to immediately drop out of the race. Is that fair? We must win in November.”

Quick fact check. The radical leftist Trump is talking about is a guy who hands out love thy neighbor signs. Quick second fact check. Trump normally waits until a candidate is far ahead so he can endorse them and make it seem like his endorsement matters. But in this case, Trump wanted to throw a little weight around. If he had done this and his endorsement caused the other candidate to drop out, it would make him look like less of a lame duck. But the definitely not a lame duck Trump with a totally competent staff turned out to be late. Late for a very important date.

They missed a critical deadline. Neither candidate can take their name off the ballot. Now, see, under Texas state law, the final date to pull your name isn't really a date. It's 3 days after the results of the runoff are finalized. That was Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. So, now Trump can make his endorsement, but it doesn't matter. Both Republican candidates will be on the ballot. That means people will still vote the way they decide to vote. So even if Trump makes his endorsement and even if the candidates don't actively campaign after that, it's still up to the voters.

What's more likely is that Paxton and Cornyn end up slinging mud. Maybe after a brief interlude, they spend money. They undercut each other. They fight. They create division. Maybe they'll find their way out of this. But right now, it appears that a primary fight is all but guaranteed. And it looks like Trump's leadership has left the GOP in Texas as stuck as an oil tanker waiting by the Strait of Hormuz.

Anyway, it's just a thought. Y'all have a good day.