A Talarico Victory May Caution "Christian" Candidates



During much of the past few decades, politicians running for local and state offices saw little downside to preaching against abortion. They would each claim to be more against abortion than their opponents. Then things changed. Abortion is seldom brought up now. What changed, of course, was abortion rights winning statewide referendums. Now politicians do not see anti-abortion as a risk-free issue and seldom bring it up.

Readers know Talarico is studying to be a preacher and has stated the Bible does not condemn abortion. He supports gay marriage. Paxton, his Republican opponent along with the religious right, are making the election into a referendum on the right's interpretation of the Bible. If Talarico wins, endorsement of the right's version of the Bible and putting that version into various laws will not be see as no risk postures. Bible Belt politics will be different.

It could be even worse for the right. Liberal candidates may see an advantage in lampooning the right's Christianity and use it to their own advantage. Wouldn't it be amazing to see candidates claiming to be less religious than their competitors?

All of this, including a Talarico victory, has yet to happen. It has been fun to see him doing so well.

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