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Jimmy’s interview with Democratic Senate candidate from Texas James Talarico was not televised because of threats from the FCC so we're hosting their discussion here on YouTube. James talks about Republicans being scared of him winning, Jesus being co-opted by MAGA, the RNC Convention being held in Texas, not taking money from corporate PACs, Trump calling him a “freaky guy” and having second thoughts about endorsing his opponent Ken Paxton, and the GOP making it harder for people to vote.

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[–] IrateAnteater@sh.itjust.works 59 points 2 days ago (3 children)

I find that how much I care about how religious a person is, is directly proportional to how much they care that I am not.

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 17 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I tend to agree. I listened to the interview a few hours ago, so I don't even remember if he brought up religion or if Jimmy did. Of course Talarico is going to talk about religion if people ask him about it, it's something he seems very passionate about. He said he's from like 5 generations of people that have been devoted to the church and he's in seminary school himself. If he's going to be a publicly religious person, he at least seems against the hypocrisy so prevalent in most public figures when he talks about his "faith."

I wasn't going to listen to the interview because I think of him as "that religious guy from Texas" and I'm from across the country so it doesn't really affect me, but I was bored and put it on while driving to work. He was calm and professional, and was very tasteful, respectful, and non-preachy nor creepily patriotic about his beliefs. If people want to believe in sky daddy, that is their prerogative, as long as they don't try to force it on others. Fred Rogers was a very publicly religious man and we don't talk smack on him for it cuz he didn't bombard us with it and he practiced what he preached.

Is being publicly religious worse than all Paxton has done and will do? Texans are going to get one or the other, and Paxton is leading the polls with the 50yo+ that actually turns out to vote. Some people's moral high ground really seems out of sync with reality. For as politically active and informed as people here like to talk, so many of you guys really confuse me sometimes what you feel you're accomplishing with some of the things you say. (Not you, IrateAnteater!)

[–] Papergeist@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Im not into religion, but its pretty clear talarico is a live and let live kinda guy. Im 100% voting for him and I dont even have to hold my nose to do it.

[–] anon6789@lemmy.world 3 points 22 hours ago

It feels so much better voting for someone you actually believe in. Thanks for doing your part!

[–] eestileib@sh.itjust.works 6 points 2 days ago (4 children)

Yeah I'm trans and I don't trust him at all.

[–] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 2 points 19 hours ago

But on the other hand Paxton hates us with a rabid passion

[–] jimmy90@lemmy.world 11 points 1 day ago (1 children)

you may be trans but you're not an idiot are you?

you'd vote for him over a trumper right

or would you vote green?

tricky one. no, no it's not

[–] itsjustachairmary@lemmy.world 8 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (2 children)

He has since done an interview where he expressed regret over his vaguely supportive statements on gender.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/james-talarico-says-missed-mark-cringey-comments-texas-general-electio-rcna347174

So yea

Exactly what you'd expect

Edit: also this video (1:40) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS9Ct2uA9sk

[–] Snapz@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

You're linking fox news. What are we doing here?

[–] itsjustachairmary@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I guess he didn't say those things then, false alarm everyone.

[–] luciferofastora@feddit.org 8 points 1 day ago

You're being sarcastic, but I genuinely wouldn't trust Fox News not to misrepresent or straight up fabricate shit for the purpose of undermining and dividing the "left" (as in: anything left of Republicans). It may be accurate in this case, but a certain distrust is warranted.

I also can't imagine the Republican candidates to do better on that point, but Fox aren't gonna rub that in people's faces if they're trying to smear a "leftist" candidate.

What a fucked up shituation.

[–] eestileib@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] rttw@sh.itjust.works 1 points 6 hours ago
[–] elbucho@lemmy.world 12 points 2 days ago (3 children)

I'm with you on that. I'm a straight, cis, white guy and I don't trust him at all. He talks a decent game now, but if he does get elected and actually walks the walk afterwards... he'd be one of a vanishingly small group of people. Far more likely that he isn't who he says he is.

Even if he's 100% genuine, though... dude brings up God waaaay too often for my liking in an elected official. Makes me worried he'd legislate based on the bible.

[–] emmanuelw@jlai.lu 23 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (2 children)

If he legislates on “love your neighbor” he can legislate based on the Bible if he wants. He's a member of the PC(USA) a church with trans pastors so I wouldn't fear too much about trans rights. LGBTQ+ people and their allies should be united, whether they are religious or not (because there are religious LGBTQ+ people too, just like the trans pastors I evoked). Divided we're weaker!

[–] Lumberjacked@piefed.social 21 points 2 days ago (2 children)

I’m agnostic but still attend to a very progressive church in Austin. About 25% of congregation is LGBTQ+ and the church does a lot of pro-trans advocacy including family friendly drag shows which has made the church a lightning rod for politics.

About a year ago before he got all the attention Talarico came and preached on a Sunday. In our town, that in and of itself is a statement. Unless he has a stroke, I feel that Talarico will protect our trans kids.

Paxton is plane evil. So even if James is another politician he is the lesser of two evils.

[–] tpyo@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago

I'm atheistic but there's something that seems appealing about attending something like what you've described. But I know I'm looking for community rather than religion. Your church sounds beautiful I'm glad places like that exist!

I don't see talarico doing a hard 180 if elected; I've seen a few interviews and despite my feels about religion, I'd vote for him if he was on my ballot without hesitation

[–] luciferofastora@feddit.org 7 points 1 day ago

which has made the church a lightning rod for politics.

If you piss off the bigots and "convenience Christians", you're probably doing something right

[–] elbucho@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Hey - if I was living in Texas, I'd 100% vote for him over Paxton. That being said, he just smells like Fetterman.

[–] emmanuelw@jlai.lu 5 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

He's a politician, I never totally trust politicians. But he was, contrary to Fetterman I believe, already a law-maker; and he always voted in favour of trans rights.

[–] Snapz@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

You really have to learn to pick your battles if you're in Texas.

[–] elbucho@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

Yeah, I mean like I said elsewhere in this thread - if I lived in Texas, I'd 100% vote for him over Paxton. I'm just saying I don't trust the guy, is all.

[–] fox2263@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

He actually believes in the separation of church and state.

[–] elbucho@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Right. And nobody has ever lied on the campaign trail before.

[–] fox2263@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago

He said this years ago