Regarding Gerard Baker's "These Republicans Could Help the GOP by Losing" (Editor at Large, Oct. 27): I understand the desire to vote for politicians with unimpeachable character, but given that people don't care much about facts anymore, that's shifting sand on which to place your vote.
Texans can't afford a character litmus test. We aren't choosing between two similar candidates. James Talarico would pack the Supreme Court and advance term limits, a sure way to weaken the government body that actually works as intended. Ken Paxton, with his many flaws, has proven in Texas that -- legislatively, at least -- he walks the walk, having been proactive and stalwart on curbing regulatory overreach and protecting Texas' borders.
A conservative Senate is the only protection we have, at present, for a judiciary that upholds our Constitution. Until moderate Democrats find their footing again, we don't have the luxury of voting for people based on whether we would invite them to dinner.
Beverly Lowry
Dallas
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I respectfully disagree with Mr. Baker's suggestion that Mr. Talarico and Amy Acton would help the conservative cause in the long run. More likely is that they will drop the faux moderate pose if elected and do everything they can to help gamify the system in favor of the progressive agenda. Far better to hold your nose and vote for the unappealing over the unpalatable.
Tom Paronis
Brooklyn, N.Y.
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Mr. Baker's column goes a long way in trying to answer a question that has plagued me since John Cornyn lost to Ken Paxton in the Republican primary. At what point does bad policy outweigh bad character?
Finding the tipping point, especially in the race between Messrs. Talarico and Paxton, has been difficult, at least for me, since the two candidates have been challenged on so many different issues.
You'd think that would make the decision on who to choose easier, particularly when it comes to character, but it hasn't. I'll vote for the one that's the least controversial and balances the scale evenly: I'll be writing in John Cornyn for Senate.
Richard Ponder
Austin, Texas
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