this post was submitted on 18 Feb 2026
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Is Talarico interesting/actually have a political vision? He seemed manufactured, very artificial during this interview. I’m not following the race closely but comparing him to what I know of Crockett has me less than excited about all this free media for a Buttigieg clone
Did you watch it? He fought hard for separation of church and state and having safety nets in Texas.
I did watch it. Honestly the church-and-state bit was far from compelling. Not because I don’t believe in an ironclad separation, but because that feels like the minimum? It’s an easy win for the base and doesn’t feel differentiating.
But maybe I’m being too cynical, especially hearing it from a white guy who, again, came across to me as inauthentically polished when a chunk of the interview was also devoted to claims about disparaging comments he is alleged to have made.
Maybe go watch any of the other thousands of videos of him? Personally, I don't think I've ever felt inspired by any political candidate's appearance on a late night talk show, because it's just a casual conversation.
Here are a couple good ones. Remember, he's running in Texas:
https://youtu.be/Ep5zgRPSS8w
https://youtu.be/Blph_2RSBno
I see what you're talking about and I think that is because he's a veteran politician and knows the kinds of questions that will be asked so of course his answers are polished.
I also think a bit of that is because he's a 'real' christian, as in he practices the teachings of Jesus, goes to church, etc. There's a certain cadence and style of speaking amongst seminarians that fits well into a church setting and politics (preaching to an audience that agrees with you).
He's a bit more off the cuff in other interviews that I've seen (including on some YT show where he's talking with a bunch of undecided voters).
I think we're just too used to politicians who speak like they're reading off of teleprompters and less used to people who can improvise effective speech without speechwriters and consultants.
It's not like he has a hard job he's spreading the populist message that was so effective with MAGA under Trump: "The world is fucked up, the rich elites are at fault due to owning the government and only using it to enrich themselves" It's a safe message that resonates, he fits the profile of a stereotypical rural Texan and doesn't accept large donors (a fact that will separate him from Jasmine Crockett).
I get what you mean about preachers. I’ve heard Raphael Warnock in person in both political and religious contexts and that man can hold an audience.
I think the Church is one of the few institutions that culturally values good rhetorical techniques.
They're all reading the same book, so the people that stand out are the ones who are expert public speakers and understand how to invoke feelings instead of just delivering a written message.
His style of speech screams 'pastor' to people who grew up in churches and for a lot of Texans that's very compelling.
I never thought about it that was; that’s a great point about the mechanism for differentiation.
I hadn't heard of him until today, but his messaging is on point and he isn't shying away from the populist messaging.
Having someone who has the ability to inspire is a pretty powerful skill. Obama is another good example, his experience as a professor provides similar rhetorical skills.
I mean, there's also some dangerous examples of charismatic populists in history... but I don't read this guy as being cynically manipulative (though, I can be fooled like anyone else).
TIL a 36 year old who's spent 7 years in the Texas House of Representatives is a veteran politician
I am deeply sorry sir, I didn't know that you were here and made the mistake of using the term 'veteran politician' without consulting The Gatekeeper.
Oh wise gatekeeper of the term 'veteran politician', tell me the number of terms of service a politician is required to serve in order to be considered a veteran.
Maybe next we can mock the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who only served 4 years.
I apologize for my mistake and hope that you don't report me to the Internet Police.
Someone who has served even a month on active duty is by definition a "veteran" as far as the military is concerned, but that has nothing to do with this. Clearly my argument is that James Talarico is actually a pretty new politician, but I seem to have touched a nerve...
Yeah, my feeling are super hurt thanks for apologizing.
I understand you, I get an uncanny valley feeling from the guy, probably because he’s very Christian and I’m avidly atheist and that’s just how it goes.
In this interview though he is especially prepared and hitting his talking points in a quick 10 minute format for the national stage.
I’ve seen him in a lot of other lower profile podcasts and settings (he did a good Jubilee for example) and he’s actually much more natural there and pretty good.
yeah this guy is kinda boring. hope this guy flips texas blue, but if this is the guy to lead them, im not impressed.
You're not the demographic, red state christians are. He's perfect for them.
Bingo Bingo Bingo!
true
He's played well with rural Floridians.
There's a lot of Christians who hate that their faith is being twisted to promote a political agenda that doesn't fit what they learn in church. They're not as loud and strident as the hardcore culture warrior MAGA so they're not as visible in social media, but they certainly exist in large numbers.
Having a person with impeccable Christian bona fides who's policies are more of a match to Christian teachings while also taking the populist position that Trump exploited.
Like Mamdani, we can see the populist messaging on the left is massively effective even in the face of corporate media and social media botted viewpoints being pushed.