James Talarico has built a reputation as a progressive voice in Texas politics — but recent statements on Israel raise serious questions about his commitments.David Griscom and Matt Lech are joined by Judith Norman and Alex Birnel to break down what Talarico says, what he avoids saying, and why values-based language without concrete policy prescriptions falls short in a moment of mass violence and U.S. complicity. This is a discussion about the limits of progressive branding, the pressure Democratic politicians face on Israel, and why refusing to articulate policy is itself a political choice.You can read the full statement here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTcB_XvjC...And the response from San Antonio Justice in Palestine: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTs0w7slX...PRE-ORDER David's Book "The Myth of Red Texas" about the Lone Star State's radical history and how we can win Texas again: https://orbooks.com/catalog/the-myth-...Support Left Reckoning and help us keep doing independent, class-focused political analysis.🔴 Patreon: patreon.com/leftreckoningSUNDAY SHOW episodes and mail-bag content.Follow us across platforms for clips, live shows, and updates:@leftreckoning@davidgriscom@mattlech

Support the show and get the weekly Sunday Show at https://www.patreon.com/leftreckoning

On today's Left Reckoning, we talk about the deep history in which "Little Marco" is embedded, including the contras and the JFK assassination.

Read Maureen's piece on Rubio here: https://prospect.org/2025/12/23/narco-terrorist-elite-rubio-south-america-iran-contra/

Check out Marco's campaign for Lt. Gov. in Texas: https://velezfortexas.com/

00:00:00 Introduction

00:00:45 ICE Attacks Our Constitution

00:17:11 Marco Rubio's Narco Connections

00:58:54 Marcos Velez Union Leader Running For TX LT GOV

David & Matt are back, for the safety of the nation, Chuck Schumer must resign. Then we are joined by Jose Luis Granados Ceja of @SoberaniaPodcast to talk about the US kidnapping of Nicolas Maduro, what it means for Venezuela, Mexico, and the US. Then Nick Estes, historian, author, and co-host of the @TheRedNation answers the question: Is the Venezuela invasion an Indian War? Read Nick's piece here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/...Support Soberania's fundraising drive: https://www.gofundme.com/f/empower-so...Ensure Left Reckoning can continue to bring together anti-imperialist voices from across the hemisphere: Pateron.com/lefteckoning Support Left Reckoning:Live every Tuesday at 6 PM CentralSubscribe & support the show: patreon.com/leftreckoningLike, subscribe, and share to help us reach more peopleSupport the show at patreon.com/leftreckoning

David and Matt announce the nominees for the Left Reckoning Bum Steer Awards for 2025.

Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner joins us to talk about his run for Senate. Maine, far right hate, military contracting, healthcare and more.Also, Jasmine Crockett feels misrepresented by critics. Has she been?

David breaks down the Texas Senate primary for the democrats, as Colin Allred drops out and Jasmine Crockett jumps in. Can either Crockett or Talarico turn sizzle into substance? Also universities are under a generational reactionary attack and need to start acting like it.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/live/tO0TH3Beoyc?si=yl7W1KYT8OyYwgcR

Writer Devin Thomas O'Shea joins LR once again, this time to discuss Thomas Pynchon's new novel "Shadow Ticket."Reviews mentioned: “Reading the New Pynchon Novel in a Pynchonesque America” by Kathryn Schultz in The New Yorkerhttps://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/09/29/shadow-ticket-thomas-pynchon-book-review“Thomas Pynchon is Angry” by Richard Beck in The Yale Reviewhttps://yalereview.org/article/richard-beck-thomas-pynchon“Thomas Pynchon’s world of shadows” by William T. Vollmann in UnHerdhttps://unherd.com/2025/10/thomas-pynchons-world-of-shadows/

Check out and support Daniel's work on SubStack:https://danboguslaw.substack.com/Read Daniel's most recent on the Epstein disclosures: https://prospect.org/2025/11/14/epstein-confidant-larry-summers-guiding-democrats-project-2029/Get the member's only Sunday Show and support David and Matt at patreon.com/leftreckoning