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Is Texas Finally in Play in 2020?
Definitely. Sort of.
Before the doors opened at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, the line of Trump supporters waiting to get in stretched half a mile, from the steps in front of the arena to the patio of Dick’s Last Resort, a restaurant chain known for its intentionally gruff staff. The crowd was everything we’ve come to expect at Trump rallies: red hats, American flag shirts, Trump-themed socks.
As the line started filing in, the atmosphere felt like the preamble of a University of Texas football game. There were team cheers breaking out in small bursts up and down the line: “Trump! Trump! Trump!” and “U-S-A! U-S-A!” There were food trucks and tables with Trump merchandise for sale on every block. Just like at a football game, there were even a few fans of the opposing team speckled throughout the masses, wearing different colors and carrying their own signs saying things like “DON’T BE A FOOL” and “ALL ROADS LEAD FROM TRUMP TO PUTIN.”
Before Trump took the stage, First Baptist Dallas preacher and Fox News regular Robert Jeffress, who only a few weeks ago publicly expressed worry about whether impeaching the president might inspire a second civil war, led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Sen. John Cornyn, up for reelection in 2020, gave a quick stump speech. According to social media, Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep…
