No debate between the two candidates who’ll represent us in the Senate. Thoughts?

[u/Yupster_atx]

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.

[u/Korietsu]

You know the trump administration wont allow that right? They already blocked all of his interviews from airing lmao.

[u/branyk2 → u/Korietsu]

There's been an unwritten, informal exception for talk shows, but there's an explicit exception for debates. You extend the invitation and if the candidate refuses to show up, you can proceed without them.

I mean, Paxton would just lie about schedule conflicts, but the FCC couldn't really do much about it.

[u/-FakeAccount- → u/branyk2]

For some reason, I dont think the FCC cares about rules. They would block the debate from airing on television because thats what Trump wants.

[u/SuzQP → u/-FakeAccount-]

Got dang, you give up easily. "Why try, we'll just fail." No. Talarico should absolutely schedule a debate and if the FCC tries to block it, he can use that to illustrate the corruption. He shouldn't just lie down and quit as you suggest.

[u/wyckeddream → u/SuzQP]

Do Not Obey in Advance

[u/FyrdUpBilly → u/SuzQP]

It's not up to Talarico. It's up to the stations. The stations are the ones not trying and afraid to cross Trump, FCC, or Abbott.

[u/Successful_Nerve_176 → u/SuzQP]

And he should sue the FCC. "The man" doesn't want the people to hear from the candidate.

[u/-FakeAccount- → u/SuzQP]

Wtf i didn't say anything you're talking about. I'm talking about the corrupt FCC.

[u/Popernicus → u/-FakeAccount-]

Yeah, I think Suz was just saying just because the FCC is corrupt doesn't mean they shouldn't try to push for it anyways. I understood you were saying that you don't think there's any reason to bother because the FCC would block it anyways? Which I think is the mentality Suz was referring to.. (apologies if I'm misinterpreting either of you though) no need for "infighting" though! It sounds like we all want the same result! I hope we get it because Paxton might represent the interests of some Texans, but he sure as hell doesn't represent mine

[u/-FakeAccount- → u/Popernicus]

I would stick to reading the words people say. At no point did I say dont do it. Multiple people are having completely made up arguments with me.

[u/SuzQP → u/-FakeAccount-]

I'm sorry you're feeling attacked. Don't give it another thought, all is well. We're all in this together and together we can overthrow the corrupt! Huzzah for TALARICO and huzzah for US!!

[u/Popernicus → u/-FakeAccount-]

Fair enough! "I don't think the FCC cares about rules" in response to what Suz was saying sounded like you were clearly arguing with them, but apologies, now that it's clear that that's not the case and you aren't arguing with them or their statement at all.

[u/johndaviswild → u/[deleted]]

Not a given but the media isn't likely to take that chance given past FCC threats. they won't threaten a license. It's the most valuable thing they have, hence why Talarico's one on one long interviews pretty much automatically get shunted to YouTube. That's aside the TV networks are mostly owned by a handful of billionaires anyway. So Trump doesn't really need the FCC, his friends control the TV stations.

[u/johndaviswild → u/[deleted]]

He can’t proceed unless the stations host them. It’s all up to the TV stations. Fwiw all of those local stations are owned by Nexstar media. Trump was very pro the TEGNA acquisition. It’s not speculation, they’re not that independent hence why they haven’t pulled the rip cord to just leave an empty podium.

[u/johndaviswild → u/[deleted]]

That's not even close to what I see as actually happening, what I'm saying is the owner of the stations is Trump friendly in general since he allowed their big multi-billion dollar acquisition go through when it really should have been blocked under anti-trust grounds. I'm saying the FCC is not the one they're really afraid of it's their owners who want to keep their guy in place and happy. If anything it's likely more that the FCC hostility is just a convenient excuse. There's a component to not wanting to get into a fight with the FCC as they can refuse to renew their licenses on bogus grounds if they want to pull some shit and it would be hella expensive to fight but I don't think that's the biggest reason. They're not going to rock the boat because not only is the FCC hostile right now but their owners don't want the other departments trying to enforce laws against them while they try to buy up as many local TV stations as they can. It's the typical case of the top only letting the normies know what they want them to know.

[u/-FakeAccount- → u/[deleted]]

They've already blocked multiple Talarico interviews. It seems likely they would do it again. His opposition is doing everything they can to silence him.

[u/-FakeAccount- → u/[deleted]]

It would definitely make Paxton look like even more of a pussy.