CNN’s Laura Coates Presses Jasmine Crockett on Why She Won’t Campaign with James Talarico

CNN anchor Laura Coates pressed Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) on her decision not to campaign with Senate candidate James Talarico.

Crockett lost to Talarico in March’s Democratic primary. Since that loss, critics have called her out for not supporting Talarico in his race against Republican Ken Paxton.

On Thursday’s episode of Laura Coates Live, Crockett spoke about the importance of high voter turnout and not relying on polls. She specifically cited the polling in Michigan that indicated Abdul El-Sayed would win by a much larger margin than he actually did.

Coates noted that, similar to President Donald Trump, Crockett had the ability to galvanize voters and drive them to the polls. She then asked Crockett if she’d campaign with Talarico if he needed that kind of “magnetism.”

“I will be campaigning down ballot,” Crockett said. “I think that what matters most–”

Coates interjected to ask “Why the distinction?”

Crockett then cited unsuccessful campaigns from candidates like Beto O’Rourke, claiming that Texas voters should be motivated to go to the polls by more than one race in the state.

“I understand, but is it an either-or?” Coates responded. “Either you excite the down ballot or you–?”

Crockett said she believed it was an either-or situation, adding that Texas is a “big state” and she was “really invested in a number of candidates that I didn’t get to do anything for because I was running my own Senate race.”

Although Crockett congratulated Talarico and emphasized the importance of the Democratic Party remaining united to defeat Paxton in the general, she has since expressed little confidence in Talarico’s campaign.

She’s repeatedly poured cold water on the energy surrounding his campaign and even brushed off his favorable polling numbers.

“When I look at the money, if Republicans start spending money in Texas, then I’ll be convinced,” she said earlier this month.

Watch above via CNN

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