A Herschel Walker candidacy is a total nightmare for Senate Republicans

Former NFL star Herschel Walker is the leading Republican candidate in the Georgia Senate race, but his candidacy is worst-case scenario for Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to try to oust freshman Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock. In the latest episode of The Point, CNN’s Chris Cillizza outlines why Donald Trump’s support explains the Walker run.

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About me:

I was named "best dressed" in 7th grade. That, along with being CNN's editor at large and author of the daily "Point" newsletter are my proudest achievements. Look for me here every Tuesday and Thursday to find out what’s really going down in politics.



CREDITS

Writer: Chris Cillizza
Producer: Moira Donohue
The Point Editor: Leigh Munsil
Video Editor: Steven Sevilla



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[dsr]

I live in Atlanta and have been impressed by Warnock during his brief service (and that he's been pastor near where I live). I really can't understand why Walker does well in the polls when every statement I've seen from him leaves me dumbfounded by how incoherent they are.

[c.m.]

Wait, so he has a reputation of bad behavior towards his wife, he has lied about his financial situation, he doesn't really know much about politics but is just a celebraty who is famous from something completely unrelated...
Why should that be an issue for Republican strategists? These are huge assets for running as a Republican in the USA! Ok, he's also black, which certainly is a big minus in that party, but I think all these other "qualifications" listed in this video seems to make him an ideal frontrunner for the Republican party!
If he now has a history of antisemetic tweets or likes to babbel incoherently about nonsensical conspiracies, he's pure gold for the Republican party!

[JYPM]

I think history has shown us what we thought was impossible can become reality. Remember it's not the candidate. It's the PEOPLE in the state that vote one way or another.

[fubartotale]

The word "moron" gets thrown around quite a bit, but I think in the case of Mr. Walker, it's warranted.

[JamesAllmond]

Didn't he also fail to graduate from UGA without the Criminal Justice degree?
No, not being malicious nor making that up...don't have to, he's bad enough to start all on his own. Warnock for Senate. Please.

[johnshafer]

As a Packer fan, I remember the stupid trade the Minnesota Vikings did to get Herschel Walker. I hope this backfires on republicans.

[willgetbettereventually]

Has anyone learned that having a person with zero experience in politics is a disaster? I’m so sick of this reality show political crap

[phenmejon]

The fact that this guy is even considered a reasonable candidate for the office tells us everything you need to know about the modern GOP

[kungstu]

That AP stuff just makes him a perfect candidate. Scared his wife, shady business and lies? He checks all the GOP boxes.

[luigiquerusio]

None of those concerns make one bit of difference to magas. All that matters is that trump likes him

[trebm]

Walker has a dark past with mental illness and charges specific to sexual assault and physical assault? He'd fit right in.

[CaesarAugustus.]

This is assuming we live in a world where a candidate’s past matters. It doesn’t. What matters is they are not the other person. If Trump taught us anything it’s that.

[brianthomas]

At 2:05 "Accusations....repeatedly threatened his ex wife, exaggerated claims of financial success....unpredictable behavior." Huh. Trump with a tan.

[kennethsmalls]

Threatened exwife, exaggerated claims of wealth and alarmed business associates with unpredictable behavior. Sounds like the next President to me.

[lexas]

Sick of hearing about how the fate of the US and the planet is turning on the whim of the voters of Georgia.

[gandtwills]

Chris I think you underestimate how much Georgians love their Dawgs - and Herschel helped us win the Sugar Bowl in 1981. These will not be forgotten. All my friends in Georgia are super excited about him running and aren't going to care about any of this personal stuff - just like they don't care regarding our former President. If he runs, he will win, in my opinion (and I want Warnock to stay in)!

[JoaoSoares-rsec]

So instead of people that actually know what to do, they just pick a celebrity, hasn't that already been proven to be a bad idea

[stanlee]

I think Herschel would be a great candidate for the Republicans. - - All Democrats

[gaetanlacas]

According to his biography he's a perfect Rep candidate. He could join the Jordan, Gaetz, McCarthy etc. etc. team.

[tiffanyjack]

People with a history like that should not be allowed to run for any public office.