Several months ago, I stopped reading news about Herschel Walker, Donald Trump’s hand-picked candidate for the U.S. Senate from Georgia. I remembered Walker from his days as a Dallas Cowboy but did not know much else about him until after Trump selected him. Then came a torrent of incredible news–unacknowledged children, abortions, incoherent ramblings, and a remarkable display of ignorance. My initial curiosity about the former football star disappeared. I came to see Walker as one of the worst manifestations of Trumpism (and believe me, that is saying something).
Last night, I watched the election returns. Hallelujah, Georgia rejected Walker–and by a large enough margin to enable the networks to proclaim Warnock the projected winner before bedtime.
This column is my first comment on Walker. Although he has been low-hanging fruit for writers since Trump launched the ex-football star’s political career, I was reticent to comment on how stupid and unqualified Walker is to serve in the U.S. Senate. I feared that, as a white man, I would write something that smacked of racism or was racist.
Barack Obama helped me overcome my concerns. He courageously went to Georgia and stated the obvious– that Walker has no business in the U.S. Senate. Because Obama so persuasively laid out the case against Walker, I don’t have to.
Simply put, Walker’s election not only would have denied Georgia Senate representation for six years, but he would have disrupted the work of the other 99 Senators. There is not enough room in the Senate for another clown. (I will spare you my list of four others who come to mind.)
Because President Obama, dozens of Democratic and even Republican officials, and numerous comedians have already “reported” on how inappropriate Walker is for Senate service, I do not need to. If you are looking for details on the most pathetic candidate for the U.S. Senate in recent history, just Google “Hershel Walker scandals” or “Hershel Walker unqualified.” You get the idea.
Rather than ramble on about Walker, I would rather write that I am happy that Senator Raphael Warnock will return to Washington in January. Since he won his special election in 2020, he has done an excellent job of representing Georgia—all constituents except for die-hard Trump voters who apparently are ready to vote for anyone the defeated ex-president endorses.
Now Warnock will have a chance to concentrate on being a Senator rather than running for election or re-election. His win may mark a turning point for Georgia, returning it to the category of a competitive state where both Democrats and Republicans have a chance to get elected. That is welcome news.
The rejection of Walker also is additional evidence that what I call the Trump hangover is ending. Warnock’s win is yet another repudiation of Trump. It is more evidence that a Trump endorsement hurts candidates more than it helps them. A Republican would have won last night had Trump not involved himself in the race.
The rejection of Walker also should send a message to the Republican parties of other states, including our own. The message is that if you nominate a right-wing extremist, expect to lose. Larry Hogan leaves the statehouse with incredibly high approval ratings. In Maryland, a Republican should have had a fighting chance to win, even against a strong candidate like Wes Moore. What does Cox’s double-digit loss tell us?
I dream that I will not see candidates like Walker, Kari Lake (the election-denying loser for Governor in Arizona), Dan Cox, and Donald Trump (Senior or Junior) in the future. That may be wishful thinking, but it cannot stop me from considering Walker’s defeat as an early holiday gift.
J.E. Dean is a retired attorney and public affairs consultant writing on politics, government, and other subjects.
Bob Kopec says
Excellent article Mr. Dean!
John Dean says
Thank you. I appreciate your kind words.
Bob Parker says
I celebrate the re- election of Rev. Warnock not because he is a Democrat, but because he is a thoughtful, intelligent person who will work for the betterment of all Georgians and Americans and not merely toe the partisan party line. The tragedy of this election is that 48% of Georgians actually felt that Mr. Walker was qualified to represent them in the U.S. Senate. This statistic alone is an indicator of how imperiled our democracy is.
John Dean says
Well ssaid! Thank you for reading the article and for a great comment.
John Fischer says
Yes, Mr. Walker’s defeat is yet another nail in Mr. Trump’s coffin. We Republicans can only hope after Georgia, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan and others sufficient nails have been pounded to hold him in there. But I’m not optimistic.
Charles Barranco says
Mr Dean,
Not to beat a dead horse, but it’s beyond me how so many people could vote for a candidate who can’t complete a sentence, baubles when he speaks and Trump endorsed.
I guess he epitomizes the Republican Stooge! A Numbnuts.
Thanks again for your insightful and rational articles.
John Dean says
Thank you for your kind words.
I am also at a loss at how over 48 percent of Georgia voters supported Walker. So raising that question is not beating a dead horse.
Wilson Dean says
I too am hopeful the defeat of not only Herschel Walker but the many other Trump-endorsed candidates might actually signal the political demise of both Trump and MAGA-extremism. The Trump base will likely stay with him to the end, but Republican strategists should recognize the mid-term elections reflected growing voter fatigue with the outrageous lies (think 2020 election deniers), fact-adverse mentality, and just plain crazy/incompetent nature of the Trump-backed candidates. Will Republicans be willing to move away from the toxic politics of Trumpism and adopt a more substantive/less confrontational approach to governing this country? Perhaps that’s wishful thinking, but what a benefit that would be to democracy in America.
John Dean says
Thanks for reading the piece. I share your hope that more Republicans will abandon Trump and Trumpism. I see evidence of that. Whether it will get to a critical mass is the question. I continue to believe that the party is beyond repair. I remain hopeful that a new, centrist party will emerge that will appeal voters of both parties looking for a common ground.
Deirdre LaMotte says
I feel for Herschel Walker. He seems to suffer from cognitive issues, probably stemming from his amazing career as a football star. It was Trump that thrusted him into the race, thinking an black Heisman Trophy winner would be all it takes to
defeat another black man. This was the problem. Not only was the GOP, neutered by Trump, willing to go along, but most
white Republican voted for Walker knowing he was incompetent. Black voters were understandably incensed and insulted
by Walker. This is the difference between Democrats and Republicans: Republicans are totally controlled by their right flank of fascists minded voters, Democrats are not controlled by their left; Democrats are governing from the middle and are not intimidated
by the left. Another reason why the Dems are doing well in elections and governing…they know consensus and they know
what voters want. It is not taking a woman’s reproductive care away and put into the hands of the state, they want to
keep their Medicare and Social Security, they are sick of guns being available like candy, and realize climate is a huge issue..as is the right to vote.
John Dean says
Thank you for your comment and reading the piece.
Mickey Terrone says
Having lived in Atlanta while Herschel Walker matriculated through Johnson County (GA) H.S. and then starred for the University of Georgia, I can tell you he was not just another football player or political candidate. Herschel was a veritable legendary institution in that state despite living in Texas for many years after his professional career.
Aside from being the 1980 Heisman Trophy winner leading Georgia to its first National Championship in 1980, Herschel was arguably among the best college football players ever. In Georgia, that matters. That he was edged out by the Reverend Raphael Warnock, even by about 3 percentage points, is a seismic shock in Republican Georgia.
For decades, Walker has enjoyed a celebrated and legendary status in Georgia. Yet from this point on, his reputation is seriously diminished by this terrible failure. His utter lack of qualifications, consumate lack of knowledge and perspective and numerous personal failings as a man will sadly become how he is remembered.
The cumulative damaging effect of his football collisions with other heads and his likely shallow educational experience at Georgia have impacted and exposed him to the extent that this legend and hero was able to lose a statewide election in Georgia while every other statewide Republican candidate won their races by a minimum of 5 points. This is yet another example of how everything Donald Trump touches eventually turns to feces. The cynicism of Trump pushing Herschel into running, Georgia Republicans actually nominating him and then being rejected by a vast majority of African-American Georgians and many white alumni of the University of Georgia makes Walker’s defeat all the more ignominious. I almost feel sorry for him. Almost.
Paul Rybon says
The fact that a seasoned incumbent, using the full court press by the DNC, was only able to edge out a complete neophyte first time, using nothing but a barrage of sleazy innuendos, by less than 2%, ought to give thoughtful Georgians something to ponder. Hoping Warnock doesn’t stub his toe on his victory lap.
Deirdre LaMotte says
White Georgians who overwhelmingly voted for Walker would have earlier voted for Hitler if he was on the R ticket. Pitiful.