Texas Take

An Exclusive with Beto O'Rourke: "We will live in a fascist country"

Recorded live at Stubb’s in Austin, Texas Take host Jeremy Wallace sits down with Beto O’Rourke for a conversation about why he chose not to run for office this cycle and what he’s doing instead. O’Rourke talks about his work with Powered by People, efforts to register and turn out new voters across Texas, and why down-ballot races matter as much as marquee contests. The discussion also touches on Democratic primary dynamics where O'Rourke weighs in on the race between Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico, voter suppression, the stakes of the 2026 midterms, and the unexpected parallels between grassroots politics and punk rock, drawing on O’Rourke’s time as a musician. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

What is Beto O’Rourke up to now?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Will Donald Trump Ever Endorse John Cornyn?

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn joins host Jeremy Wallace to talk about his campaign and what President Donald Trump told him about a potential endorsement for the U.S. Senate. Plus, a week after podcaster Shawn Ryan said he was disinviting Rep. Dan Crenshaw on his show, the Houston Republican drops in to respond to Ryan. Finally, San Antonio Express-News reporter Bayliss Wagner jumps aboard to help break down how the military action in Venezuela affects Texas oil and the border, and how Democrats are struggling to present a coherent response. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

No Boots on the Ground

U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw sits down for an interview with host Jeremy Wallace to discuss why he supported President Donald Trump’s actions in Venezuela, but why he doesn’t believe U.S. soldiers will be needed on the ground there. The Houston Congressman is a member of the House Intelligence Committee and partly grew up in neighboring Colombia when Venezuela was a prosperous tourist destination. Also, Crenshaw responds to popular conservative podcaster Shawn Ryan, a fellow Navy SEAL, who has gone somewhat viral for accusing Crenshaw of threatening him - a charge Crenshaw calls bogus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Who won Texas Politics in 2025

Who made the biggest splash in Texas politics in 2025? And who saw their fortunes take a turn for the worse? In this week’s end-of-year episode, host Jeremy Wallace channels the legendary Casey Kasem to count down the 7 politicians who saw their political stocks climb the most and those who saw theirs tumble. Which lists did Greg Abbott, Ted Cruz, John Cornyn and Jasmine Crockett end up on? Plus, reporters Taylor Goldenstein and John Moritz join the program to break down the biggest stories of the week. Finally, you’ll hear a tribute to some big names in Texas politics that the state lost in 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]