On today's show, David and Matt reflect on the primary in Texas.Then, Daniel Bessner joins us to talk about the new essay collection he's edited with Michael Brenes, "Cold War Liberalism". CODE: BESSNER26https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cold-war-liberalism/4CE8BFF1CF908A8F481B55F2043A88F7Support Matt & Dave and gett access to all bonus episodes at patreon.com/leftreckoning David's on tour for his book! Pick up the Myth of Red Texas - https://orbooks.com/catalog/the-myth-of-red-texas/NYC book talk Feb 25 - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-myth-of-red-texas-tickets-1977510526217Houston book talk March 19th - https://brazosbookstore.com/event/2026-03-19/david-griscom-myth-red-texasBrownsville, Texas March 28th at Buho Books Dallas, April 1, Wild Detectives link to come San Antonio, Texas, April 9th, 120 Adams Street New Orleans, Friday April 17th Austin May 7th

Hillary Clinton said this weekend at a security conference in Europe that "migration went too far." Matt examines her culpability in displacement in Central America, specifically Honduras.

Then, Oliver Larkin joins David to discuss his run as a socialist in Florida's 23rd.

https://www.oliverforcongress.com/

Next, we move up the Eastern seaboard to Maine where Nathan Bernard (@NathanTBernard) has been covering the Platner vs. Mills Senate primary including the ways Maine may as well be on a different planet compared to the DC press.

https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/janet-mills-maine-senate-fec-million-dollars-small-donors

Finally DSA organizer and comms specialist Arjun Janakan chats with David about messaging.

More Epstein revelations continue to shake the country, despite the lack of political response. Etienne Rosas and Greg Stoker join us to tell us why the left should be excited about their runs for Congress in Texas. But first, Robert Skvarla joins the show once again to discuss the recently released Epstein docs and prospects for justice.

Check out Etienne's campaign:

https://www.rosasforcongress.com/

Check out Greg's campaign:

https://www.stokerfortexas.com/

DAVID'S book on pre-order with 15% - https://orbooks.com/catalog/the-myth-of-red-texas/

Welcome Left Reckoners, David and Matt talk about the massive victory won by Taylor Rehmet in North Texas. It shows the solution for Texas is clear run labor candidates. We are then joined by Ben Fong and Paul Prescod of Damage Magazine to talk about their new collection of the work of the great labor leader and civil rights icon Bayard Rustin.

And then after the serious work is over, Matt and David take a peek at what is becoming a total embarrassment, the Texas Senate primary.Check out Rustin's Challenge, compiled by Paul and Benjamin and Damage Magazine, https://damagemag.com/2025/07/24/rustins-challenge/DAVID'S book on pre-order with 15% - https://orbooks.com/catalog/the-myth-of-red-texas/Support Left Reckoning and get the Sunday Show at patreon.com/leftreckoning

Matt and David react to another horrible weekend, a new milestone in overt social media censorship, and Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico's debate performances.You can grab David's debut book right now https://orbooks.com/catalog/the-myth-of-red-texas/Also on today's program, Andrew Hairston on his run for Justice of the Peace in Travis County Precinct 1.Support Left Reckoning to get the weekly Sunday Show at patreon.com/leftreckoningCheck out Andrew's campaign here: https://www.hairstonforpeace.com/

James Talarico has built a reputation as a progressive voice in Texas politics — but recent statements on Israel raise serious questions about his commitments.David Griscom and Matt Lech are joined by Judith Norman and Alex Birnel to break down what Talarico says, what he avoids saying, and why values-based language without concrete policy prescriptions falls short in a moment of mass violence and U.S. complicity. This is a discussion about the limits of progressive branding, the pressure Democratic politicians face on Israel, and why refusing to articulate policy is itself a political choice.You can read the full statement here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTcB_XvjC...And the response from San Antonio Justice in Palestine: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTs0w7slX...PRE-ORDER David's Book "The Myth of Red Texas" about the Lone Star State's radical history and how we can win Texas again: https://orbooks.com/catalog/the-myth-...Support Left Reckoning and help us keep doing independent, class-focused political analysis.🔴 Patreon: patreon.com/leftreckoningSUNDAY SHOW episodes and mail-bag content.Follow us across platforms for clips, live shows, and updates:@leftreckoning@davidgriscom@mattlech

Support the show and get the weekly Sunday Show at https://www.patreon.com/leftreckoning

On today's Left Reckoning, we talk about the deep history in which "Little Marco" is embedded, including the contras and the JFK assassination.

Read Maureen's piece on Rubio here: https://prospect.org/2025/12/23/narco-terrorist-elite-rubio-south-america-iran-contra/

Check out Marco's campaign for Lt. Gov. in Texas: https://velezfortexas.com/

00:00:00 Introduction

00:00:45 ICE Attacks Our Constitution

00:17:11 Marco Rubio's Narco Connections

00:58:54 Marcos Velez Union Leader Running For TX LT GOV

David & Matt are back, for the safety of the nation, Chuck Schumer must resign. Then we are joined by Jose Luis Granados Ceja of  @SoberaniaPodcast  to talk about the US kidnapping of Nicolas Maduro, what it means for Venezuela, Mexico, and the US. Then Nick Estes, historian, author, and co-host of the  @TheRedNation  answers the question: Is the Venezuela invasion an Indian War? Read Nick's piece here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/...Support Soberania's fundraising drive: https://www.gofundme.com/f/empower-so...Ensure Left Reckoning can continue to bring together anti-imperialist voices from across the hemisphere: Pateron.com/lefteckoning Support Left Reckoning:Live every Tuesday at 6 PM CentralSubscribe & support the show: patreon.com/leftreckoningLike, subscribe, and share to help us reach more peopleSupport the show at patreon.com/leftreckoning

David and Matt announce the nominees for the Left Reckoning Bum Steer Awards for 2025.

Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner joins us to talk about his run for Senate. Maine, far right hate, military contracting, healthcare and more.Also, Jasmine Crockett feels misrepresented by critics. Has she been?