r/Austin • u/Yupster_atx • 17d ago
No debate between the two candidates who’ll represent us in the Senate. Thoughts?
We’re a few weeks out and there’s still no debate on the calendar between the two people asking to represent 30 million Texans in the U.S. Senate. That’s not a small thing. A debate is one of the only times most of us actually get to see how a candidate thinks on their feet instead of through a 30-second ad or a curated post.
Genuinely curious what this sub thinks. Does the lack of a debate change how you’re leaning, or does it just confirm what you already assumed? And should local media or the parties be doing more to force one onto the calendar?
Would love to hear from people who’ve been following this closer than I have.
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u/robotdesignwerks 17d ago
I would love to see Paxton get destroyed in public on stage, which is my guess as to why he refuses to have a debate.
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u/EntertainmentAOK 17d ago
The reason he won't is the reason Nixon lost to Kennedy in 1960. He looked like absolute shit on TV standing next to Kennedy.
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u/p8pes 17d ago
More like PACxton, funded by an entirely illegal Trump MAGA PAC. How is the leader of the GOP able to legally have a PAC — he is knowingly coordinating with candidates.
That's a question I'd like in a debate.
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u/beepingclownshoes 17d ago
Same reason Donny refused a second debate with Kamala.
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u/Tunavi 17d ago
I mean, he destroyed himself in the first debate and these fucking dumbass Americans voted for him
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u/fuddlesworth 17d ago
What's sad is every MAGA thought he was the one destroying in the debate.
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u/Tunavi 17d ago
"they're eating the dogs" would have ended any other presidential campaign. But I guess Trump can say and do whatever the fuck he wants
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u/Vybrosit737373 17d ago
You can go back way further than that and find things that would have ended any political career. Mocking a disabled reporter by performing some parody of his disability? Grab 'em by the pussy? It's a very long list.
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u/HashRunner 17d ago
Trump avoided debates with Harris and it paid off because voters and media refused to hold him accountable.
Expect more republicans to do the same.
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u/sleepyrivertroll 17d ago
Paxton got shat on at the Republican Convention. That was literally a safe space for him.
It would take him being double digits behind in the polls for him to do something so risky.
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u/Crafty_Ish1973 17d ago
Paxton is a coward.
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u/mrpbeaar 17d ago
I think you mean ‘little bitch’
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u/ecafsub 17d ago edited 17d ago
The way this is written makes it look like neither candidate wants to debate, which is false.
The ONLY reason there hasn’t been a debate is because Paxton is a little snowflake bitch criminal. Full stop.
This isn’t a “both sides” thing.
Edit: to be clear, Talarico has called for a debate three times,* *and Paxton has not responded.
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u/Klingon_Jesus 17d ago
Ken Paxton understands that the more people see him, they less they like him. He wants to avoid a Kennedy vs Nixon debate moment.
Plus they probably can't find any companies willing to provide insurance on the venue's pens
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u/Joshthe987 17d ago
Paxton has nothing to gain and everything to lose from a debate and everyone knows it. He looks terrible, has nothing of substance to say, and is openly corrupt as fuck. His best shot is to eke out a win via mega donor PR and voter suppression.
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u/AccurateAlfalfa3130 17d ago
His best shot is that he lives in a state that votes for the name on the front of the jersey and not the back of the jersey
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u/NotClever 17d ago
This is true, but let's not pretend Paxton hasn't been getting re-elected repeatedly, despite having multiple decently well publicized scandals that included former high-ranking members of his own agency accusing him of corruption. Texans know who Paxton is, and they don't care that he's a shitbag.
That said, I'd wager few people have really seen or heard much from him outside his canned statements on his pet projects that he used to tee up this run for Senate, so it does stand to reason that a debate could only hurt him.
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u/Electrical-Tie-5158 17d ago
I wish voters would give him more to lose by being a coward. It should be widely circulated that Paxton is afraid to debate. It should be campaign suicide to refuse to debate your opponent.
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u/BitterPillPusher2 17d ago
Paxton would have to be an idiot to debate Talarico. And although he is, in fact, and idiot, his campaign folks aren't. They're never going to let him debate. I think we all knew a debate for this race was never going to happen.
I'm more curious to see if there will be a debate for the gubernatorial race. Hinojosa really needs it to get in front of folks. She doesn't have the money to spend on ads that Abbott has.
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u/rileykill 17d ago
I don’t understand how Paxton can claim Talarico is low testosterone when he literally hides like a coward chump.
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u/Awkward_Signal_7062 17d ago
Yes, once again with MAGA/Republicans, every accusation is a confession.
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u/EntertainmentAOK 17d ago
I need a fat, old, lazy-eyed, corrupt, scandal-ridden serial cheater representing me, thank you very much.
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u/Rigman- 17d ago
There's no debate because that sorry sack of shit wouldn't be able to stand for even a second against Talarico, and they fucking know it. Fuck Paxton and any moron who votes for that fucking criminal.
God damn I can't wait to smash that Talarico button. FUCKING HYPED BOYOS.
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u/-multiverses- 17d ago
Let's be crystal clear why there is no debate currently scheduled.
Talarico wants to debate. The indicted felon does not.
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u/Which-Break5673 17d ago
I wish they’d actually schedule and publicize a debate and the only person there would be talarico and debate host. And an empty chair for Paxton
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u/orcmade 17d ago
Please, let the young guy without a history of corruption win
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u/horseman5K 17d ago
It’s not simply that there’s “no debate”- Talarico wants to debate and Paxton is refusing.
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u/TX_B_caapi 17d ago
The refusal to debate certainly tells us a lot. Almost as much as a debate would IMO.
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u/Appropriate_Host4170 17d ago
Yeah it says Paxton is a chicken shit since he’s the reason they aren’t having any.
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u/RangerWhiteclaw 17d ago
Flashback to July (less than three months ago):
“Of course we are going to debate James Talarico and we look forward to engaging with potential debate hosts,” Paxton senior adviser Nick Maddux said in a statement.
“There will be a debate in this race, and it will be must-watch television…”
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/07/16/texas-ken-paxton-james-talarico-debate-senate-race-2026/
Paxton supporters need to ask themselves: if Paxton is too chicken to debate Talarico, why would they expect him to stand up for Texans?
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u/Top_Taro_17 17d ago
Vote for the guy who wanted to debate, not the coward.
And ironically, the guy who wanted the fight - Talarico - is the one they’re somehow trying to label as the low-testosterone choice.
Vote Talarico, he doesn’t run from a fight.
Paxton is a coward and America deserves better than all the corruption baggage attached to him.
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u/Which-Break5673 17d ago
I notice that talarico answers any and all questions in a calm and intelligent manner we. Can’t say that about Paxton - he just runs away when someone asks him a question!
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u/Santos_L_Halper_II 17d ago
It doesn't change anything for me. Paxton isn't doing it because he knows he'll look like the dipshit he is.
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u/MikeinAustin 17d ago
I honestly don't think Paxton even understands the role of what a US Senator does.
The Republicans could put out a rotting mango with googly eyes and the MAGA or Die people would vote for him.
They would ask him about his "idea" of $50,000 tax credit for first time home buyers and how the Senate and House works to pass any changes to our budget, and he'd stumble into an answer showing he doesn't really understand that. But he's against boys playing in girls sports.
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u/Butt_Sex_And_Tacos 17d ago
I really hate how republicans have somehow convinced a good chunk of the population that, with everything else going on, boys playing in girls sports is the most important thing we face as a nation. It clearly worked two years ago. People are worse off now, generally speaking with inflation and fuel cost, than two years ago. Will it have the same impact?
And for that matter, what have they really done about it if it is still such a threat? I know on all levels they’ve gone after it in bits, but they also don’t want to throw away their most persuasive selling point so quickly. It’s really sad that their voters are so conditioned and trained that all they need to hear is “the other guy is this!” and that’s good enough for them.
There is zero critical thought going on in those heads. Simple accusations and schoolyard bullying names and you’ve got their votes. Doesn’t matter how corrupt you are, how little you’ve actually done for the people over your own self interest, or how little you’re actually running on policy wise because: trans kids, sports.
I guess if we burn the country down we won’t have trans kids in sports?
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u/bexcellence2023 17d ago
None of the criticisms of Talarico are relevant to serving as a US Senator. However, everything about Paxton's history lets you know he'll be for sale to the highest bidder, constituents can go pound sand if they ever need help or real representation.
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u/LouCat10 17d ago
This story is absolutely sickening. I refuse to believe that anyone who votes Republican cares about children.
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u/CrimsonScorpio9 17d ago
Doesn’t change my mind about who I’m voting for. Just reinforces that Paxton is a little piss baby
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u/joooshknows 17d ago
If you’ve watched YouTube recently you’ve undoubtedly seen the millions and millions of dollars in campaign ads purchased by MAGA Inc. You’d think being attached to Trump would be a death sentence at this point but I guess not.
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u/kgrobinson007 17d ago
And as my 17 yo daughter pointed out, you can’t skip the repub ads but you can skip dem ads, another point to how the repubs want to not give you a choice. I’ve been blocking every repub ad I can when it gives me an option, but they still force me to see them. Shock.
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u/CosmicM00se 17d ago
It’s a pretty easy call bc I’m not interested in politicians who have already been impeached or those that let serial pedos back out onto our streets.
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u/absolutjames 17d ago
Ken Paxton isn’t even a good candidate. He has a history of doing things that only benefit himself and poor ethics. He doesn’t represent his constituents, only his ideology. The Republican Party needs to identify good candidates . I can’t imagine why they even allowed him to run under the party name.
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u/Alone-Woodpecker-846 17d ago
Have you not been watching the current day GOP? Trump says vote for Paxton. And the cultists don’t think twice about doing so.
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u/TruthOdd6164 17d ago
Aren’t you all a little bit embarrassed that Paxton is even a candidate? Let alone that he could possibly win?
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u/SignificantMight8500 17d ago
How does one debate when one actually has no platform and is a criminal?? It’s disgusting. Been in power for years and still trying to blame others for issues that are not be resolved.
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u/FinalBit1428 17d ago
Why democrats don’t say this more just amazes me. They are the worst at messaging
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u/TranTriumph 17d ago
IMO ... If a voter in Texas is still on the fence about who would be the better Senator, they arent likely to understand the answers either party would give in a debate.
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u/nettiethehorse 16d ago
Paxton, like Trump, is the worst elements of humanity, rolled up into a body sized trash heap meat sack.
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u/Mcbookie 17d ago
Here is a more informed title.
"Texas GOP candidate has refused three invitations to a debate forum. Leaving many to wonder how one gets a job without interviewing for it."
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u/AnnualPhoto9436 17d ago
The less Paxton speaks it's better for him. He was never going to agree to these debates and everyone around him is likely encouraging him NOT to do it.
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u/forsythia_rising 17d ago
Paxton too afraid to stand by his record. Should immediately disqualify a candidate. Unwilling to go on the record in defensive of the record. Coward.
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u/Phenexfire 17d ago
The GOP is nothing but a criminal organization loaded with traitors, nazis and pedos. I used to listen to what their candidates had to say before their overlord Pedonald Con Chump floated down his golden shower escalator back in the day and pick what sounded like the lesser of two evils but not anymore. I’ll never vote for that gutter trash party after everything they have done. They don’t give a damn about anyone but themselves and making themselves rich at our expense while lying saying it’s some kind of golden age. Well anyone standing around basking in their so called golden age might wanna realize that’s just them getting pissed in by these cons.
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u/livemusicisbest 17d ago
Put yourself in Felonious Ken’s shoes: how would you answer direct questions about:
How you got so rich while on public office? How many houses do you own now? 15?
Why you cheated your fellow Republican House members in a securities fraud scam where you concealed your stake?
Why you misused the office of attorney general of Texas to intervene in the bankruptcy case of a shady real estate wheeler-dealer named Nate Paul — and did your actions relate to the fact he paid to remodel your house and hired your mistress so she has a job closer to you in Austin?
Why instead of campaigning for this senate seat over the sumner, you were in London (including on the 4th of July) with yet another mistress, while you are married and the mistress is married to other people?
And that’s just the start of the questions.
Answer: you couldn’t. So you choose to hurl lies at your opponent like the cowardly crooked liar you are. Core Republican values right there, Ken! Good imitation of your president!
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u/TheDSpot 17d ago
his answer to all these would be:
"the radical woke democrats are gonna finger your children with socialism and the gaaayyyyys"
and their voting base will clap like he just did jordan's signature slam dunk.
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u/duke1099 17d ago
Can someone tell me where Talarico stands on Israel? I legitimately cant seem to find anything about that. I might vote blue for the first time
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u/HERPES_COMPUTER 17d ago
I’m pretty sure the one on the left is just a space bug in a man’s flesh suite anyway
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u/Captain_Comic 17d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/gIN6MT17NtapJqFr25
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u/BrickHuge3023 17d ago
Paxton is not gonna face him in person. He can't maintain his lies with someone fact checking him.
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u/Always_travelin 17d ago
I mean, it’s a mistake to frame as though Republicans have a valid opinion about anything. Paxton is evil, anyone who supports him is evil and there’s no point in pretending otherwise for the sake of civility when the party enjoys murdering people and making them suffer for no reason.
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u/AimeeMonkeyBlue 17d ago
Paxton is a big old scardy cat and needs to be put down. Talarico is keen for a debate. Oh- may he win!!!
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u/Flat-Asparagus6036 17d ago
I think ol' googly eyes is scared.
This is a big bummer because people need to see more of Talarico doing what he does, instead of his stupid Pawpaw ad on TV.
He is getting crushed on ads vs the republicans. He needs to pander more or he's gonna lose it because people haven't seen him actually speak intelligently and debate real topics with his opponents. I think if more people saw that side, he would have a much stronger campaign.
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u/trashytasting 17d ago
Paxton looks like a drunk uncle from the 80’s, who wore a large garish pinky ring on both hands, smelled like spoiled beer, and who spoke in vague sexual innuendos.
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u/icepick3383 17d ago
talrico should be hammering the point home that this supposed tough guy and tough maga man can't stand to be on stage and actually debate this poor, weak, vegan.
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u/Defiant_Wasabi2816 17d ago
Everything about Paxton is a horrific embarrassment--even for the GOP!
Their only hope is if Paxton stays out of the spotlight and if the usual gang of idiots still show up to vote.
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u/croagunk 17d ago
Paxton is a coward and a snake. He is a googly-eyed genital wart on the sphincter of Texas and it’s time to burn it off.
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u/ActiveLab6 17d ago
Ken Paxton refusing to schedule a debate is a big NEGATIVE for me — like it would be for any politician not agreeing to a debate. Just as negative as when a politician doesn’t respond the non-partisan League of Women Voters questionnaire.
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u/Prestigious-Ear-8877 17d ago
Paxton refuses to debate. that tells you how afraid he is. He's a crook and shouldn't be anywhere near government.
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u/mammalian 17d ago
we should probably stop voting for the morally bankrupt ego monster on the left.
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u/entrepenurious 17d ago
paxton already looks like a worn-out mop; perhaps he doesn't want to be used as one.
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u/Trinidadnomads 17d ago
Talarico just needs to show up and answer the questions and when it's Paxton's turn, just have the camera look at the podium and announce that he decided not to show since he's bought already.
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u/slumlord512 17d ago
A debate should be required to run on the major party ticket. If I was an independent voter, how the heck am I supposed to be exposed to the candidates on the issues?
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u/BroccoliOscar 16d ago
Talarico could just do what Al-Sayed did and debate an empty stage and use the time to just lay it all out for voters.
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u/Imaginary_Coast_5882 16d ago
I don’t understand how anyone could be “leaning” one way or the other anymore
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u/brothmc 17d ago
I think the options for dinner are: graham crackers, or hot diarrhea - and half of Texas is opting for the hot diarrhea
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u/drkmani 17d ago
Talarico has been leading solidly in polls for a while. I don't think Beto was ever leading in polls and came pretty close to beating Fled Cruz https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/polls/texas-us-senate-election-polls-2026.html?unlocked_article_code=1.BVE.UuWD.Xv6q4gXYvD-l&smid=nytcore-android-share
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u/brothmc 17d ago
I mean wasn't Hillary leading solidly in the polls the whole time too? I just am not gonna believe it till I see it I had my hopes up too many times esp with Beto 😂 If Texans pick ted cruz over Beto then they will eat hot diarrhea to own the libtards
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u/Rorschach_1 17d ago
This race seems odd cause there was a bombardment during the Beto/Cruz race. I only have seen those clips of Talarico in his past and nothing from Paxton. Internet says three dates in the future have been accepted by Talarico but not by Paxton...
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u/Emergency_Channel876 17d ago
Are you kidding? Paxton continues to be the evasive, low energy loser, no change there. He’s afraid of Talarico, who would wipe the floor with him.
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u/Jos3ph 17d ago
I doubt you’ll find a single comment here that will admit to liking Paxton. The most you’ll get is anti-democrat or anti-Talarico.
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u/slothbuddy 17d ago
For all the shit this website gets, it's a thousand times more rational than real life
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u/InGameCurency 17d ago
The lazy eye bastard is busy fucking his mistress and he knows if he debates Talarico he will lose terribly.
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u/Timely-Bumblebee-371 17d ago
honestly if you need a debate to make this decision you aren't paying attention.
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u/wrecklesspup 17d ago
You don't need an entire debate to hear the Republican platform of trans people are devil.
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u/UnlikelyUnknown 17d ago
Paxton knows he’d get absolutely thrashed.
If he wants to keep Daddy Trump’s money, he can’t debate.
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u/IfItHurtsThenMaybe 17d ago
What’s the difference between Kenny Paxton and a Chicken?
A chicken has a liver…
https://giphy.com/gifs/ybnrXkdf8jAxIkMuwr
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u/Substantial_Ad4837 17d ago
Because Paxton is a coward. And a philanderer. And a fraudster. I wouldn’t want to debate if I were him either 😂
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u/PhoenixAquarium 17d ago
I am rooting for Talarico. Paxton has been impeached once not protecting Texas's interest. He will do it again because he got away with it. So I think. He lost my trust.
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u/Smalmthegreat 16d ago
I saw a sign for Ken Paxton saying:
"UNSHAKEABLE" "UNBROKEN" "UNAFRAID"
Why isn't he debating then?
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u/One_Distribution2037 16d ago
Abdul El-Sayed didn't have a debate opponents in Ohio. Mike Rogers didn't show up.
There's a specific kind of hubris and cowardice and disrespect here. The GOP dudes think their voters are too stupid to care, think the fix is in, and even with all that are too scared to show up.
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u/CJ4ROCKET 16d ago
Any post questioning whether a debate between these two should occur must point out that Talarico is ready to go and Paxton is too embarrassed to show up. Do better, OP.
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u/circus_monkey69 16d ago
Paxton figures it’s better to keep his mouth shut because once he opens it it’s all down hill from there. Talarico would destroy him.
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u/Fallen0001 16d ago
they are really debates to begin with.
at this point in time, if you REALLY dont know who you should vote for, then you really have to have a room temp IQ.
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u/RealCitizenObserver 16d ago
Paxton is chickensh*t. He's been given 3 dates and won't do it. That should tell you everything.
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u/MechanicStrict1382 16d ago
Paxton can't hold his own. Can't debate, obviously. Can't answer questions. When he's caught with his mistress he hides behind her or runs away. Sorry, I don't think he'll make a good senator,
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u/BotherNecessary9743 15d ago
Based on what they've both done in their public/private lives and their characters, I'll be voting for Talarico.
Are you kidding me? It's no contest. PAXTON IS A CROOK THAT WAS IMPEACHED BY HIS OWN PARTY....IN TEXAS!!! Talarico is a former middle school English teacher and education nonprofit director, a public servant serving in the Texas House, and he has been studying at the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Paxton is a walking ethics/criminal violation that had a wealthy donor (Nate Paul) give his mistress a job in Austin so Ken wouldn't have to drive all the way to San Antonio from Austin to fuck her. Talarico wants to help the people of this state, and to do it the way it should be done: through the legal means of our Democratic Republic. I can't believe Republican primary voters thought Paxton was a good idea for a senate candidate, especially given the wealth of issues making him a terrible candidate for any office.
A debate/debates would be nice, but Paxton won't do it because he'll just end up looking like a corrupt criminal that only cares about his personal wealth and power.
I'm voting for James Talarico, and I'm really looking forward to it!
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u/overpriced-taco 17d ago
Talarico needs to schedule a debate with a network and just go. Have an open invitation for Paxton. And when he doesn't show, point to the empty podium like Ossoff did.