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Is This Republican Senator Too Normal for Republicans? (w/ Eric Benson)

2026-02-21 News & Politics
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The Bulwark
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Description

Sen. John Cornyn has been a consistent ally of President Trump. Even Trump likes him just fine...but that may not be enough to save him in Texas, because he may have just been too mild-mannered for too long. He's running against a scandal-plagued (but combative) Attorney General, and a less scandal-plagued (but also less known) newcomer. Texas Monthly writer Eric Benson joins Sarah to break down the Republican brawl in the Lone Star State. Get 60% off your first box with Tempo Meals at https://TempoMeals.com/THEFOCUSGROUP. Show notes: Eric Benson's John Cornyn profile: The Last Ride of Big Bad John (https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/john-cornyn-last-campaign-ken-paxton/) Chapters: 0:00 Intro 7:29 John Cornyn: "The Last Ride of Big Bad John" 19:48 Ken Paxton: Scandal-Plagued but Popular 36:06 Who Is Wesley Hunt and How Has He Evolved? 49:09 Democratic Primary Check-In Become a Bulwark Youtube Plus Member here - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG4Hp1KbGw4e02N7FpPXDgQ/join

Top Comments (10)

@JessicaGarnett-f1d 2026-02-21

We live in a country of complete morons :(

273 10 replies
@LibraInSeattle 2026-02-21

These people are worried about integrity issues and yet they support Trump. Make it make sense!

235 5 replies
@JanetOleary-w7i 2026-02-21

These people are ridiculous. The dude who's "terrified" of Jasmine Crockett but not the full on fascists is beyond absurd.

367 22 replies
@InternationalScoutIIHarvester 2026-02-21

Decades of Rush Limbaugh and Fox News has brought us here.

178 7 replies
@djsgolfer714 2026-02-21

it’s crazy how so many republican voters don’t think for themselves

175 9 replies
@AmyOiler 2026-02-21

As a liberal in Texas, I can confirm that Cornyn is not a RINO. I'm so sick of these people.

59
@CaptPicard81 2026-02-21

I’ve been saying, predictions of a blue wave are incredibly premature. Never underestimate the stupidity of large swathes of this country

137 11 replies
@Life_Empowering 2026-02-21

When you under fund education for 40 years you get Ken Paxton, Ted Cruz, Dan Patrick, and Gregg Abbott.

341 19 replies
@maryarmstrong2231 2026-02-21

ExTexan here…Ken Paxton is a CROOK.

131 4 replies
@cherylhughes2988 2026-02-21

"He didn't vote with Donald Trump, so I can't support him." Brilliant. It really is a cult and they are incapable of independent thought.

130 2 replies

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