Multiple Republican senators call for postponment of next week's Senate GOP leadership elections



Multiple Republican senators are calling to postpone the elections for Senate GOP leadership that are slated to occur next week.

"The Senate GOP leadership vote next week should be postponed," Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida tweeted. "First we need to make sure that those who want to lead us are genuinely committed to fighting for the priorities & values of the working Americans (of every background) who gave us big wins in states like #Florida."

GOP Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming expressed her agreement with Rubio's remarks: "Second," she tweeted.

\u201cSecond.\u201d
— Cynthia Lummis \ud83e\uddac (@Cynthia Lummis \ud83e\uddac) 1668192356

"Exactly right. I don't know why Senate GOP would hold a leadership vote for the next Congress before this election is finished. We have a runoff in #GASenate - are they saying that doesn't matter? Don’t disenfranchise @HerschelWalker," Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri tweeted in response to Rubio's comments.

While Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell could become the majority leader again if Republicans regain control of the Senate, when Hawley was asked who he would like to see in the leadership post, he said, "Not Mitch McConnell."

Incumbent Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker are headed to a December runoff election since neither candidate secured a majority of the votes in the general election contest.

"It makes no sense for Senate to have leadership elections before GA runoff. We don't yet know whether we'll have a majority & Herschel Walker deserves a say in our leadership. Critically, we need to hear a specific plan for the next 2 yrs from any candidate for leadership," Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas tweeted.

Punchbowl News reported that Republican Sens. Rick Scott of Florida, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, and Mike Lee of Utah are disseminating a letter that suggests delaying the leadership elections.

"Holding leadership elections without hearing from the candidates as to how they will perform their leadership duties and before we know whether we will be in the majority or even who all our members are violates the most basic principles of a democratic process. It is certainly not the way leadership elections should be conducted in the world’s greatest deliberative body," the letter states, according to the outlet. "Accordingly, we propose that we postpone leadership elections until after we know who all our members will be and we all have a chance to hear from leadership candidates as to what type of collaborative conference governing model we should adopt."

Herschel Walker calls out race-baiting Democrats in ad calling America a 'great country full of generous people'



Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker released an ad Wednesday accusing the Democratic Party of using racial issues to divide Americans.

The 30-second ad quotes Democratic politicians including President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, and incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), contrasting their statements that America is racist with Walker's belief that America is a "great country full of generous people."

\u201c\ud83d\udea8\ud83d\udea8\ud83d\udea8 new @HerschelWalker TV ad!\n\n"Raphael Warnock believes that America is a bad country full of racist people, I believe that we're a great country full of generous people.\u201d #gapol\u201d
— Mallory Blount (@Mallory Blount) 1662550529

"Democrats use race to divide us," the ad begins. It then shows a highlight reel of Democratic Party figures making various comments about race in America.

Abrams is quoted criticizing the Georgia election reforms supported by Republicans as "racist" legislation that is "a redux of Jim Crow in a suit and tie."

Harris is quoted saying, "America has a long history of systemic racism." The quote is taken from remarks she gave after police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of the murder of George Floyd.

It also refers to Joe Biden's widely criticized comment from 2020 in which he told Charlamagne tha God, "if you have a problem figuring out whether you're for me or Trump, then you ain't black."

Finally, it quote's Walker's opponent Raphael Warnock saying, "America has a preexisting condition. It's called racism."

Then Walker addresses viewers directly with a simple message: "Senator Warnock believes America is a bad country, full of racist people. I believe we're a great country, full of generous people."

"Warnock wants to divide us. I want to bring us together," Walker says.

The ad comes as horse race polls show a tight contest between Walker and Warnock, who won a Senate seat in a special election in 2020. A recent poll from Emerson College has the Republican candidate leading the Democratic Senator 46%-44%, a much closer race than in April when Warnock led Walker 49%-45%. The Senate election is rated a "toss-up" by the Cook Political Report.

With the midterm election just two months away, Warnock has attacked Walker for appearing hesitant to debate him. The Democrat released an ad earlier this week calling for Walker to "quit the games" and "agree to debates."

There's A Catch - Warnock for Georgia youtu.be

Walker responded on Wednesday, offering to have a "fair debate" in Savannah on Oct. 14.

" I don’t care what the topics are. It’s a fair debate. Open to the public. Televised statewide. And it’s not run by your donors. You in? Let’s do this for the people," Walker tweeted.

\u201cLet\u2019s lock down Savannah Oct 14th, Senator. I don\u2019t care what the topics are. It\u2019s a fair debate. Open to the public. Televised statewide. And it\u2019s not run by your donors. You in? Let\u2019s do this for the people.\u201d
— Herschel Walker (@Herschel Walker) 1662552993

But the Warnock campaign has said Walker must agree to a second debate next month before Warnock will meet Walker in Savannah, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“It’s time for Herschel Walker to stop playing games,” Warnock campaign manager Quentin Fulks said. “The job of a U.S. senator isn’t one where you know the topics ahead of time or get a cheat sheet, and Herschel Walker shouldn’t need one to find the courage to walk on a debate stage.”

A sticking point in the debate negotiations has been whether the candidates will receive the topics in advance and whether there will be a live audience. Walker prefers to have the topics in advance and doesn't want an audience.

Both candidates have been invited to participate in at least three debates hosted by WTOC in Savannah, Mercer University in Macon and the Atlanta Press Club. Warnock has agreed to appear in all three but Walker only accepted an invitation to a fourth debate hosted by WSAV in Savannah on Oct. 14.

Warnock will face Libertarian candidate Chase Oliver at the Mercer University debate on Oct. 13 and the Atlanta Press Club debate on Oct. 16. Both events will move forward with or without Walker.

Walker, a former University of Georgia running back and NFL star, skipped the GOP debates in the primary campaign, saying at the time he wanted to focus on defeating Warnock in the general.

MSNBC guest: Republicans love 'negroes' like Herschel Walker who 'do what they're told'



On Saturday, the Nation contributor Elie Mystal asserted on MSNBC’s "The Cross Connection" with Tiffany Cross that Georgia's Republican candidate for Senate Herschel Walker was “unintelligent” and bereft of “independent thoughts.” The self-professed justice correspondent then proceeded to accuse Republicans of backing Walker because he “is going to do what he’s told ... That’s what Republicans want from their negroes: to do what they’re told.”

Elie Mystal has repeatedly and publicly denigrated Herschel Walker’s intelligence and made wild racially-charged accusations as a means to support Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock's bid to stay in power.

Some have taken to Twitter to point out the apparent double-standard when it comes to racially-charged language on the left and the absence of consequence for Democrat-adjacent racial hatred.

\u201cIf a Republican pundit had said on Fox what was said of @HerschelWalker on Fox, major news outlets would be shoving microphones in Raphael Warnock's face demanding he denounce it.\u201d
— Erick Erickson (@Erick Erickson) 1659380055

Radio show host Erick Erickson suggested that comparable language uttered by a Republican would have prompted calls for denunciation.

Florida Rep. Byron Donalds called out Mystal, saying: "If you are a Black Republican, they will...question your Blackness, and insult your intelligence."

\u201cIf you are a Black Republican, they will call you a coon, sell out, question your Blackness, and insult your intelligence.\n\nIt's easy for people like @ElieNYC to talk "tough" without any push back from one of the "Republicans' negros." @TiffanyDCross invite me on, let's talk.\u201d
— Byron Donalds (@Byron Donalds) 1659367327

Javon A. Price regards Mystal's comments on MSNBC as more evidence of the racist mindset possessed by the left.

\u201cCalling Black men \u201cnegroes\u201d is apparently okay if you\u2019re speaking about Black conservatives. \n\nFrom Herschel Walker to Justice Thomas, the Left\u2019s bigotry & racism seems to always reveal itself when Black folks start to question/challenge the Democrat\u2019s narrative\u201d
— Javon A. Price \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Javon A. Price \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1659368091

Race, a leftist obsession

Seizing upon the resultant uproar, Mystal doubled down on Twitter, suggesting Walker's only qualification is his race. Walker's race is, for the Nation contributor, something of an obsession.

In April, the Nation published an article written by Mystal entitled “The Herschel Walker Senate Campaign is an Insult to Black People,” wherein Mystal called Walker “an animated caricature of a Black person drawn by white conservatives.” He suggested that his campaign was a “political minstrel show.” In the same piece, he simultaneously argued that Georgia Republicans don’t support black candidates yet excitedly support Herschel. He concluded by demanding that black Americans vote as a racial bloc against Walker. Failing to do so, says Mystal, would render them "clapping seals."

Herschel hits back with kindness and prayer

Herschel took to Twitter on August 1 to hit back. In a video response, he said, “Shame on MSNBC and shame on him...I’m going to pray for both of them, because they need Jesus.”

\u201cMy response to @MSNBC and the man who called me the N word. \n\n@ReverendWarnock and the left wing crazies believe America is a fundamentally bad country full of racist people. But you and I know this is a great country, full of good people. #gasen\u201d
— Herschel Walker (@Herschel Walker) 1659377897

Walker noted further that Mystal's screed reminded him of the stark differences between the "leftwing crazies" in the Warnock camp and himself. The former "want to divide us, turn us against each other."

Notwithstanding the MSNBC guest's racial framing, Walker underlined how America is a "good country full of good people."

Former President Donald Trump issues a full-throated endorsement of Herschel Walker's run for US Senate in Georgia



Former President Donald Trump issued a statement offering his full-throated endorsement of former NFL star Herschel Walker who has mounted a bid to serve as a U.S. senator from the state of Georgia.

"Herschel Walker is a friend, a Patriot, and an outstanding American who is going to be a GREAT United States Senator. He embodies "America First" and the winning spirit of Georgia," Trump declared in a statement.

"Herschel is tough on Crime and Borders, and he will always stand in support of Law Enforcement, Military, and our Vets. He will fight hard for our Second Amendment and Voter Integrity. Herschel Walker will never let you down. He was a great football player and will be an even better U.S. Senator — if that is even possible. He has my Complete and Total Endorsement!" the statement said.

Walker, 59, thanked the former president for the endorsement, tweeting, "THANK YOU to my friend President Trump for your support and encouragement! Together, we will win back the U.S. Senate for GEORGIA!!"

THANK YOU to my friend President Trump for your support and encouragement! Together, we will win back the U.S. Sena… https://t.co/pJ5yuMkC0w

— Herschel Walker (@HerschelWalker) 1630623009.0

Trump had essentially endorsed Walker even before the man formally kicked off his Senate bid last month. In a statement earlier this year Trump had said that Walker should run.

"Wouldn't it be fantastic if the legendary Herschel Walker ran for the United States Senate in Georgia? He would be unstoppable, just like he was when he played for the Georgia Bulldogs, and in the NFL. He is also a GREAT person. Run Herschel, run!" Trump said in a March statement.

Some state Republicans have expressed concerns because Walker, a political outsider, has never run for office. But he'll have high name recognition heading into the GOP primary in May 2022.

The Senate seat is currently occupied by Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock.

While the former president has been out of office for more than half a year, he has continued to remain quite active politically, issuing frequent statements about current events and endorsing various candidates.