Y'all-itics

Two out of three Latinos voted for Joe Biden last week. But counties along the Texas-Mexico border exposed a growing weakness for Democrats. Biden did not win as many votes there as Hillary Clinton did four years earlier. Just two years ago, Beto O’Rourke had trouble earning support in the Rio Grande Valley. Joining the Jasons this week are political scientists James McCann from Purdue University and Michael Jones-Correa from the University of Pennsylvania discussing the emerging Latino vote and their book Holding Fast: Resilience and Civic Engagement Among Latino Immigrants. Plus, Antonio Arellano, the Interim Executive Director of Jolt Initiative, tells the Jasons where work remains for Democrats and opportunities potentially lie for Republicans.

Now that the dust has mostly settled in Texas, it’s time for the soul-searching.  Democrats thought they were in strong position to finally win a statewide office, even possibly taking the Texas House.  Not only did that not happen, in most races it wasn’t even close.  While they still see progress, party leaders are already trying to map out a new game plan for 2022.  At the same time, Republicans also turned out en masse, keeping Texas solidly red.  And they think their strong ground game and face-to-face contact worked beautifully.  In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons perform a post-election autopsy on politics in Texas.

Just like everything else in 2020, the political landscape in Texas has turned upside down.  And many national election experts say forget states like Florida and Pennsylvania, the national bellwether this year could actually be Texas.   And that’s why the Lone Star State has become a national obsession.  But those same expert are also warning everyone to proceed with caution with any predictions before the final numbers are counted because of our “unstable” political world.  In this edition of Y’all-itics, the Jasons not only take a 30,000-foot view of the election, but they also break down specific races that could not only have a big impact in Texas, but also across the nation.

The lines have snaked through parking lots, around buildings, and don the block. Texans (and Americans generally) are voting…possibly in numbers never before seen. But participation isn’t just limited to casting ballots. Millions of dollars have been wagered on this presidential contest. Oddschecker.com and PredictIt.org show how much money is being wagered on this election and who bettors are picking. On top of that, companies are capitalizing on an engaged, politicized electorate—creating products with election or campaign branding for citizens who are willing to part with some Washingtons and even Benjamins to show their support for Trump or Biden. 

More Info

https://www.electionvodka.com/ (Election Vodka) Must be 21 to enter

https://www.jonessoda.com/ Jones Soda Co.

https://www.oddschecker.com/us/insight/specials/politics/20201028-us-presidential-election-odds-$260m-staked-on-trump-vs-biden-as-us-election-becomes-most-wagered-on-event-in-betting-history

https://www.predictit.org/markets/13/Prez-Election

Guns are on back-order. Ammo is sold out. What are so many Texans preparing for? This run on guns started during some of the protests that swept the state and the country this summer. But it hasn’t slowed down since and continues to build as we approach the election. A gun store owner and a firearms trainersay what makes this year different is the fact that the surge is being driven by first-time gun buyers.  They told the Jasons why ammo is in such short supply, why people who have never owned a gun before are changing their minds and what next week’s election has to do with it all.

You’ve seen their commercials.  They are brutal.  And effective.  If you needed more proof Texas is a battleground state, The Lincoln Project is ready to spend millions of dollars here during the final days of the campaign.  Imagine that for a moment.  A group of Republicans trying to defeat a Republican incumbent in a deeply red state.  And not only that, but The Lincoln Project is also expecting some support from what a co-founder calls “deep MAGA country.” In this episode of Y’all-itics, Mike Madrid talks about their strategy in Texas, whether he thinks there is a permanent split in the Republican party and how they make those commercials so darn fast.

Perhaps nowhere in the country symbolizes voter enthusiasm more than Harris County, Texas.

Many artists say they’re ready to get back to work but can’t without an audience.  In many cases, their backup jobs have been eliminated as well.  And that’s why some say voters should view the arts not only as a battle for the soul of our nation, but also as an integral part of the economic recovery.  In this episode of Y’all-itics, the Jasons are joined by a two-time Grammy and Tony award winner as well as the man who’s thinking about the arts for the Joe Biden campaign.  And after all this time, the Jasons finally get their first “y’all.”

He coins phrases like no one else and has covered politics and elections for 70 years. Native Texan and former network newsman Dan Rather shares concerns about the 2020 election, talks about the serious challenges facing current-day media, and explains his latest passion project: Offering a $10,000 prize for the best idea to improve public education in Texas.

Dan Rather is not done. Approaching his 89th birthday later this month, the longtime newsman and former anchor of the CBS Evening News, is still active on TV, radio, social media, and podcasts. He joins the Jasons on the Y’all-itics podcast for a wide-ranging conversation. Rather says he is long past missing the anchor chair but admits he does still pine for that hot seat on election nights. He is not in the main chair these days, but he does plan to still be working on the airwaves on the night of November 3rd.     Rather talks about what concerns him the most in the lead-up to this historic race. He also talks about regrets from his own broadcasting career and his real worries that constant deadlines are speeding up the news cycle and degrading the quality of reporting at many news outlets these days. Rather also brings his grandson Martin Rather into the conversation. Since 2015, the two have collaborated on the “Rather Prize”: A $10,000 annual award for the best innovative idea to improve public education in the state of Texas. They are accepting submissions now for the next prize, which will be awarded in Spring 2021. So much has changed with education during the pandemic, so this year’s crop of innovative ideas may be more extraordinary than ever before. Like a close election, the contest for this Rather Prize could end up being hotter than a Laredo parking lot in the summer…or perhaps you could say the race for this prize will be as tight as a too-small bathing suit on a too-hot car ride back from the beach. Both of those memorable lines were coined by Rather during ad-lib-a-thons on previous election nights…so yes, the Jasons had to ask how he has come up with all those “Ratherisms” over the years. His answer about that is fascinating. 

https://ratherprize.org/ 

https://danratherjournalist.org/about-dan/biography 

https://twitter.com/danrather 

https://twitter.com/martinrather?lang=en 

It is the political story in Texas right now.  And talk about an October surprise: Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton accused of bribery, abuse of office and other potential crimes.  And the allegations are coming from fellow Republicans within the AG’s office.  In a statement, Paxton called them “rogue employees” and said he will not be resigning.  But is the damage already done, if not to the AG, then how about the party?  In this edition of Y’all-itics, the Jasons speak to Scott Braddock, the editor of Quorum Report, to take a deep dive into the allegations.  And then they talk to Matt Mackowiak and Konni Burton, about whether Paxton – and the party – can survive the serious allegations.