DESPERATE: Republicans throw HAIL MARY in Texas Senate race

Brian Tyler Cohen (0:01)

Ken Paxton's allies throw a Hail Mary in the Texas Senate race, and I've got three interviews. I'm joined by ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, Robert Garcia, Democratic nominee for the Texas Governor's race, Gina Hinojosa, and the Democratic nominee for the Florida Governor's race, David Jolly. I'm Brian Tyler Cohen, and you're listening to No Lie.

You know that right-wing media is desperate when this is the October surprise they try to conjure up. So, Ken Paxton's been trailing James Tellerico in virtually every poll for months, Republicans held a midterm convention in Texas expressly to showcase Ken Paxton, and his approval ratings actually went down. And even when Donald Trump tries to juice the race for Paxton, this is what that sounds like.

SPEAKER_2 (0:41)

You know, we have a guy named Ken Paxton, and some people don't like the way he dresses, or some people don't like the way he interviews or talks.

Brian Tyler Cohen (0:49)

So yeah, not great. Cut to Sunday morning, two right-wing media personalities, Nick Sartor and Ryan Amaker, released a big exclusive story claiming that the reason James Tallarico wasn't on the campaign trail for the last 12 days wasn't because he had the flu, but rather that he was checked into a facility in Ohio to deal with a mental health crisis. And they posted a truncated audio clip purporting to be from the Lindner Center of Hope in Ohio, confirming that he was a patient.

Now, there are a few obvious holes in this story. Like, for example, why would James Tallarico decide he needs to go to Ohio for medical care instead of, you know, Texas? Why wouldn't he just have someone go to him personally if he really was having a mental health episode instead of taking the risk of checking himself into a mental health facility thousands of miles away? How could he both have been at the facility and be at a Casey Musgraves concert on the evening that he was supposedly discharged? Or why would a mental health facility employee violate HIPAA laws and divulge patient information? Or why would the Lindner Center of Hope in Ohio then post on Twitter, Representative James Tellerico has never received treatment from Lindner Center of Hope. But other than all of that, yeah, I don't see how Tellerico recovers from this.

Now, Tellerico for his part was asked about this scam. Here's what he said.

SPEAKER_3 (2:09)

Folks on Twitter and some of Paxton's ally were pushing the idea that you had a stress induced episode and we're getting treatment for it. What are your thoughts?

James Talarico (2:17)

That's not true.

I just had the flu and I feel much better. But it's a good reminder that you can't believe everything you read on the Internet.

Brian Tyler Cohen (2:25)

But smartly, James didn't stop there. Now that these little MAGA acolytes turn the attention of the nation onto him, here's what he went on to say now that he's got the spotlight.

SPEAKER_3 (2:34)

President Trump said that you and Attorney General Ken Paxton should debate. He says that Paxton is ready, willing and able to debate. What are your thoughts on that?

James Talarico (2:45)

I agree with President Trump. I think Ken Paxton should debate.

The president is saying he should debate. Fox News has said he should debate. The people of Texas have said he should debate. And I think it's mysterious that Ken Paxton hasn't responded to a request for a debate in 85 days. I hear that people are getting really concerned about the Attorney General. And, you know, I've heard rumors that he has a rare medical condition that causes clinical levels of cowardice. So I know Ken Paxton has asked for proof of life for me. I'm asking for proof of spine from him.

Brian Tyler Cohen (3:18)

So if you're following along here, a bunch of Magaloozers made up a blatant lie so transparent that you'd either have to be a hardcore Ken Paxton voter or have just had a lobotomy, to believe it, both valid options. Then everybody turned their attention to Taylor Rico. Then Taylor Rico used said attention to do the one thing that Ken Paxton is trying to avoid, which is getting on the debate stage with James. And it's not for lack of trying on the left and the right. Just days ago, Trump took to social writing of James Taylor Rico. He should immediately report to a debate stage against Ken Paxton, who is ready, willing and able, one of the best attorney generals in the country and will soon be, hopefully, a US. Senator representing the great people of Texas. Fox News jumped in, releasing a statement to HuffPost saying, Debates best serve voters and the democratic process when both candidates participate and voters have the opportunity to compare positions on the issues. We will move forward with the debate if both candidates commit to appearing.