There is a set list of things that Native Texans hold dear. Their families, faith, and football, with the order of that varying, depending on who you ask. Some might rank football higher, to each their own. But faith has always been a major core value of the Lone Star State, Christianity being among the largest.
Texans grew up going to church and bible study every Sunday, it has been part of our lives since we were barely able to walk. So, it is obvious to say that Texans hold the teaching of the Bible very dear. Not only do they hold them close, they know the Bible better than they do their families birthdays. We can tell a snake oil preacher from a mile away. Democrat Senate candidate James Talarico is one that tends to fit that description.
From saying that God is "non-binary," to saying he loves "trans-children the most," Talarico has been a polar opposite of a typical Texas preacher, let alone statewide elected office candidate. Among his newest bit of disconcerting statements is one that centers around a massive issue in Texas: abortion.
Talarico said recently on the Jamie Kern Lima Show that "Jesus never talks about abortion, the Bible is silent on abortion." He went on to add that Christians have to make some kind of "ethical determination." There is a factual statement in there, the Bible does not specifically mention the word "abortion," he is correct. Mostly because the term "abortion" did not enter the English language until the 1500s.
But there are verses disproving him directly. Proverbs 6:16-17 says, "there are six things the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood." Abortion is, by definition, shedding innocent blood. It is defined as "deliberate termination." So, what we have here is essentially a politician trying to push liberalism into Christianity.
Andy Hogue of the Travis County GOP says Talarico practices what is called "modernism," which is essentially just being liberal.
"He looks at the same Bible we read and sees it more as a fable and not Holy Writ, whereas most of the faithful look at the Bible for inspiration and truth," he says.
To make matters worse, Talarico does not seem to realize just how far off base he is with Texas voters. Real Texans do not buy into his form of liberal preaching. He can try to walk back his past comments all he wants to look "moderate," but the damage has been done. He has shown his snake oil, and people are not buying it.
Most of his bizarre comments have been hidden in recent months, luckily for Talarico, by the drama in the GOP primary. Ken Paxton and John Cornyn have taken the limelight for a few months. But now, the spotlight turns.
"All that attention is about to be focused on James Talarico, and there is a lot out there...there has been stuff in Travis County about Talarico carpetbagging himself into a more liberal district," says Hogue. "That was ignored by the powers that be...but it is out there, it is under the surface, and it will all come out this election."
That to which Hogue is referring is back when Talarico was a State Rep for House District 52. The Travis County GOP says Talarico then moved a bit further south to the more liberal District 52. The problem is, he was still representing HD-52 while being a resident in HD-50. In theory, a vacancy could have been declared. Ultimately, though, nothing came of it. Which is how things tend to go in government.
Paxton certainly has his string of moral questions and failings, as he has faces numerous scandals during his time in office. One of those included an impeachment trial. But he has survived it all and continues being re-elected. Not because of some Christian moral facade he tries to put up, but because he represents Texas' values.
So, with Paxton having that commonality, the chickens of the past might be coming home to roost for Talarico in the coming months.
"I mean, what is the Bible if not a book about revelation, right?" says Hogue.
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