Republican strategist Karl Rove questioned on Friday whether Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has "the guts" to debate Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico, warning that avoiding a head-to-head matchup could cost the Republican the election. During a discussion with Democratic strategist David Axelrod at the Economic Club of Chicago, Rove argued that a debate is essential for Paxton as he seeks to win one of the country's most closely watched Senate races. "If he doesn't debate, I think he loses," Rove said.
"If he debates, the question is, ‘Is he going to be able to go on the offense?’" When Axelrod suggested Paxton has avoided debates because he is not a skilled debater, Rove dismissed that explanation. "You don't need to be adroit in this," Rove said. "The question is, does he have the guts to do it?" Newsweek reached out for comment by email to Talarico and Paxton's campaign offices.
Rove's comments come as Talarico continues publicly challenging Paxton to a televised debate on Fox News. A Fox spokesperson has indicated the network would be willing to host if both candidates agree to participate. Paxton adviser Nick Maddux previously said the attorney general would "of course" debate Talarico, but no debate has been scheduled.
Reports indicate Paxton's campaign has declined multiple debate opportunities, including a proposed CNN debate. A polling average compiled by PollsMax on Thursday showed Talarico leading Paxton by just 0.2 percentage points, while other recent surveys have results from a narrow Democratic lead to a slim Republican advantage. A Fox News poll released Thursday showed Talarico with a net positive personal rating of 8 points, while Paxton was underwater.
The poll showed that Republicans are six times more likely to view Paxton unfavorably than Democrats do Talarico. The issue has become increasingly significant as polling suggests the race remains highly competitive. A recent poll from the Barbara Jordan Public Policy Research and Survey Center, conducted from September 15 to September 19 among 1,800 likely Texas voters, found Talarico leading Paxton 47 percent to 46 percent, with 3 percent supporting another candidate and 4 percent undecided.
Rove's comments are the latest in a series of unusually sharp public criticisms of Paxton from the longtime Republican strategist and former adviser to President George W. Speaking at the Texas Tribune Festival last week, Rove argued that Republicans would be in a much stronger position if former Senator John Cornyn had won the GOP nomination instead of Paxton. "If John Cornyn were the nominee, this race would be over," Rove said, arguing that Paxton's political baggage has complicated what otherwise might have been a typical Republican vs.
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