CNN anchor Jake Tapper and Senior Trump advisor James Blair (YouTube Screngrab)
Polls suggest Trump’s last-minute endorsement of a scandal-laden Republican AG is mussing up a pivotal Senate race in Texas that Republicans must win in order to keep their slim Senate majority. But those concerns don’t appear to be registering over at Team Trump, according to an interview with President Donald Trump’s top advisor.
“I will note that the endorsement of Ken Paxton, the attorney general, who has been indicted, not convicted, impeached, not convicted, his wife filed for divorce on Biblical grounds just a year ago,” said CNN anchor Jake Tapper. “The [National Republican Senatorial Committee] was highlighting that — it’s the only reason I bring it up. There are a lot of Republicans on Capitol Hill who wonder maybe that's going to make the seat more competitive for Democrats.”
Tapper was echoing polls from Democrats, pollsters and even Republican critics that Trump just made an easy win in Texas a whole lot more complicated by endorsing Paxton, who faces a strong Democratic opponent at a time when both Trump and the Republican Party are suffering historic unpopularity among U.S. voters.
“It's going to cost three times as much now [to win that Texas seat],” said Republican strategist David Urban. …[Cornyn] was kind of a walk to win and beat [Democratic challenger James] Talarico. But Paxton — completely different story.”
None of those concerns fazed Senior Trump advisor James Blair, however.
“I guess it depends on what lens you view it through. I think we would say that the Democrats have put up one of the most radically left candidates that they've put up anywhere for any Senate race ever, and certainly in the state of Texas with James Talarico,” said Blair. “He is way out of step with Texas voters.”
But that’s not what numbers are saying, according to CNN data analyst Harry Enten, who pointed out that unlike Democrat Beto O’Rourke’s failed bid against GOP incumbent Ted Cruz, Cruz was polling ahead.
“Cruz was up by seven points in the polls in May of 2018. Paxton now is down by seven points,” said Enten. And at a time when Trump’s own polls are cratering.
Trump likely endorsed Cornyn’s flawed opponent due to Cornyn’s rare moment of disagreement with Trump in the past. It was the same motivation driving Trump’s primary destruction of Kentucky U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, who pressed for the release of the Epstein files over Trump’s orders.
“Well, congratulation on your primary and all the pelts you have on your wall,” said Tapper at the end of the interview. “I saw the Thomas Massie-sized pelt added to the rec room. So, congratulations … I guess.”