From Vox.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett wants you to know she comes by her controversies and clap-backs honestly. The representative from Texas has served just two terms in Congress, but is already a rising political star and a bona fide internet sensation. She’s also become a political lightning rod for Democrats as well as Republicans. Crockett has built her brand on coining phrases that are almost President Donald Trump-like in their virality. She goes after the president and the administration relentlessly, and says it’s the only way to stay relevant and gain voters’ trust in the Trump era.
But if Democrats are less than thrilled with her performance, that’s due more to style than substance, at least, according to her. This week on Today, Explained, Vox’s Astead Herndon travels to Washington, DC, to meet with Crockett and finds her unwilling to back down from her most controversial statements, including comments about some Latino voters having a “slave mentality” and that she doesn’t need Trump voters to win.
Regret and apology are not Crockett’s brand, which has many Democrats worrying about her candidacy for a Senate seat in Texas. In this interview, she walks through her plan and formula for winning that Senate seat: running up the numbers among Black voters, the most loyal voting block for Democrats in Texas, and encouraging nonvoters to participate in the primary.
00:17 Intro
01:25 Who is a Jasmine Crockett voter?
01:59 The ‘bleach blonde’ moment: planned or not?
03:20 Are clapbacks the new Democratic strategy?
05:28 From public defender to Congress
07:38 Strategy for Democrats to win
11:41 Race and racism in US politics
14:12 Viral anti-Rep. Crockett moments in culture
17:52 Policy pushbacks against Rep. Crockett
Today, Explained is a daily news podcast from Vox that explains one story in the news or culture each day while doing its best not to bum you out. Every Saturday, we’ll be in your audio feeds, and here on YouTube, with interesting interviews with key figures in politics and culture. You can also get new episodes of Today, Explained every weekday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite listening app.
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