CNN’s Scott Jennings on Wednesday told Ken Paxton to keep criticism of Donald Trump to himself after the GOP Senate candidate was caught dissing the president.
The news network’s Republican heel also told Paxton, who’s running a few points behind Democratic candidate James Talarico in several polls, that “you need all the help you can get” as Trump’s GOP spends mightily “to drag him across the line.”
Former Clinton aide Keith Boykin said on the “NewsNight” panel that it was a “horrible thing” for Republicans that they have to invest so much in Texas for a midterm election. The last time Texas had a Democratic senator was in 1993, and the last time a Democrat was elected to a Senate seat was in 1988.
“$300 million in Texas?” host Abby Phillip chimed in, referring to the expected tab for Paxton’s run.
Replied Jennings: “Ken Paxton has an excellent chance to win, and he needs Donald Trump’s help. And he needs Donald Trump’s voters to do that. And mostly they need Donald Trump and the Republican Party’s resources, because he obviously isn’t the fundraiser that Talarico is in this race. So for a lot of reasons I was not happy with this comment today from Ken Paxton. Even if he thinks he was being honest, sometimes keep it to yourself and say, ‘We’re grateful for everyone’s support.’”
Paxton was caught on a microphone agreeing with someone’s assessment that Trump’s midterm convention adversely affected candidates and that Trump was a “drag” on them.
“So to be honest with you, the numbers — when we did that convention — it dropped our numbers,” Paxton replied. “Everybody’s numbers dropped. Right now, yeah, not good.”
Jennings, who’s reportedly a candidate for White House press secretary, seemed to question the scandal-plagued Paxton’s gratitude and loyalty given the big bucks being invested in him.
“I hate to report that, Ken Paxton, you need all the help you can get, including Donald Trump and Donald Trump’s larger organization right now,” Jennings said. “And his Republican party is spending a metric you-know-what ton of money to try to drag him across the line.”