STATE OF THURSDAY: Why Do Politicians Say The Right Things When No One’s Listening

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Why Do Politicians Say The Right Things When No One’s Listening

Texas has become a bit of a flashpoint this midterm cycle. While most wouldn’t have guessed the Lone Star State would host one of the tightest races this time around, here we are.

Ken Paxton has struggled to save face after losing to the much swampier, yet far more palatable, John Cornyn. He’s faced an onslaught of attacks from the politicians on the right and left, attacking him for everything from his infidelity to fraud or impeachment. But alas, someone in the Paxton campaign may have finally had a good idea: leak audio of him saying things that the people actually care about. Like gas prices, the war in Iran, and affordability.

Paxton sounds more genuine than he ever has in these leaked audios. He’s admitting the GOP’s midterm convention actually hurt his numbers. Who knew that Trump fighting democratic socialists with more socialism wouldn’t go over well?

But the convention isn’t the only thing Paxton is willing to criticize behind closed doors. He’s gone after the DC consultant class, admitting they’ve co-opted his campaign.

At least he doesn’t drink the Kool-Aid he’s selling, I guess.

In the end, it’s all quite patronizing. They are too smart to believe the lies they’re selling, but they’re convinced you’re dumb enough to believe them … and that you’ll vote, door-knock, and maybe even donate your own hard-earned cash.

This is far from the only instance of this happening. In August, audio leaked of Republican Oklahoma Rep. Stephanie Bice declaring, “We’re not helping ourselves today when we decide to rename Lake Ontario ‘Lake America.”

You won’t want to miss her kicker: she added, “They’re going to vote for the Democrat, and they may split [the] ticket and vote for me and a few others, or — this is my bigger fear right now — people don’t go vote.”

Well, at least she’ll be safe.

Maybe Bice has a future in consulting, because two months later, her comments ring truer than ever. Kansas somehow became a toss-up, Alaska looks like it’s turning blue, and after Susan Collins’ debate performance last night, it may finally be the seemingly unbeatable Maine senator’s curtain call.

I’ve seen quite a few people argue that we ought to vote for candidates like Paxton because he’s saying the right things behind closed doors, which is just laughable. We’ve got to pick up the bar off the floor and have some expectations for our elected officials.

Candidates who lie to our faces but quietly agree with us behind closed doors won’t do. Not in the slightest.

Americans on both sides of the aisle — I’m looking at you, Mr. Inclusive Bible Talarico — should demand that politicians be honest about what they actually believe. Voters shouldn’t have to play a game of whodunit, wait for a hot mic, or sift through leaked recordings to figure out where a candidate really stands.

If you believe something, just say it. If you think your position is unpopular, make the case for it; there has to be a reason you believe it.

And if you’re afraid voters won’t like what you actually believe, maybe the problem isn’t that voters need to hear it better — maybe it’s that you need to rethink why you’re asking them to vote for you in the first place.

If politicians get rewarded for saying the right things when they think nobody’s listening, they’ll never have the guts to say them when everyone is.

From The Editors’ Desk

‘It’s Pink’: Inside The GOP’s Fight To Hold Trump Country In The Midterms — Reagan Reese, Daily Caller

The Caller’s own Reagan Reese digs into the political battle unfolding in the Buckeye State, where data centers have emerged as one of the biggest issues on the campaign trail. With competitive races for governor, Senate, and several competitive congressional seats, Ohio is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched battlegrounds on the map.

Rubio Urges Europe to Awaken From ‘Slumber’ and Uphold Western Dominance — Edward Wong, The New York Times

Rubio is in Greece, and the Trump administration is looking for more than a photo op. The visit offered a preview of what the president wants from Western Europe. The secretary emphasized defense, immigration, and growing security concerns, while strengthening relations with the European ally. Wong from the Times digs into the visit.

Vegetables half as nutritious as they were in the 1960s — Patrick Galbraith, The Telegraph

So, two apples a day to keep the doc away? The Telegraph’s Galbraith details the shocking decline in the nutritional value of our everyday foods, pointing to declining soil quality among the culprits. Might be time to rethink that vegetarian move.

F-150s, Family Fortunes And Kansas Residency: Iowa Governor Debate Becomes A Battle Over Authenticity — Nicole Silverio, Daily Caller News Foundation

One of the less anticipated contested races this cycle saw a fiery debate that devolved into a very personal feud of sincerity. Zach Lahn went after Rob Sand’s family fortune, while Sand hammered Lahn over whether he’s really an Iowan. When you throw in an F-150 for good measure, you’ve got one very strange debate.

MS NOW Finds Surprising El-Sayed Support Among Trump Voter Focus Group, While Mike Rogers Gets No Love — Zachary Leeman, Mediaite

This one’s a doozy. MS NOW asked a group of Trump voters in Michigan all about the hotly contested Senate race. Surprisingly, Abdul El-Sayed found strong support, while voters seemed much less jazzed by GOP nominee Mike Rogers. An overarching theme? “Buyer’s remorse” over voting for Trump.