Republicans swept the statewide elections last night. Already, controversial national issues are on the table for the next session, including immigration, border security, education and health. However, this is good time to be a Republican in Texas. And pundits expect at least two people with Texas connections could be preparing themselves for a presidential run. Guessing any names, anyone?
We're talking about the future of a party in a state that could very well be at the center of national political conversation within two years - 2016.
Public Radio Political Junkie, Ken Rudin, speaks with Texas Standard’s David Brown about what Tuesday's Republican sweep means for Texas.
Interview Highlights
GOP's Shutdown
“When you think about the shutdown, the Republican brand was awful after what happened last October, November when Ted Cruz and others in the house pushed for the Government shutdown and the Republican brand went down to single digits. Everybody was convinced that the Republicans would pay for it in 2014. Fast-forward, a year later, not only was the shutdown no longer an issue but the fact is that, if there is anything with a bad brand it was the Democratic Party. The Republicans didn’t pay for the shutdown at all.”
Republicans Unity
“The Republicans seem to be more interested in unity, at least in the outgrowth of what happened in yesterday’s elections. But then again, you see people like Ted Cruz that will say ‘well Jeff Bush being the nominee, it would be a big mistake for the Republican Party.’ So all those divisions within the party that seem to be pretty much a cover up or band aid over in 2014 can surely come exposed in the weeks to come.”
