Podcast Summary: Buck Brief - Will Jasmine Crockett Take Off Like a Rocket?

The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Host: Buck Sexton
Guest: Shermichael Singleton
Date: December 10, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode zeros in on the Texas Senate race and the meteoric rise of Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. Buck Sexton and guest Shermichael Singleton, political strategist and CNN commentator, analyze Crockett’s campaign, the state of the Republican primary (including the Ken Paxton–John Cornyn rivalry), and how voter demographics and key issues like cost of living and the Second Amendment may influence the outcome. The episode is laced with insights into national Republican strategies for the midterms and 2028, challenges with gun policy, and a look at how candidates can mobilize disengaged voters in Texas.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Jasmine Crockett’s Senate Bid: Viable or Just Viral?

• Shermichael Singleton’s Analysis:
  • Crockett’s campaign purposefully hinges on the hope that Ken Paxton, a polarizing figure, secures the Republican nomination, giving her a realistic pathway to victory.
  • “I’m willing to bet that Jasmine Crockett... are hoping Paxton wins, because he’s a very controversial figure. And they’re probably betting if it is Paxton, she might have a realistic chance of winning.” [04:47]
• Discussion about how Crockett is adept at generating media attention—sometimes seen as inflammatory, but effective in the current political climate.
• Noted Crockett’s ability to energize the Democratic base, especially the left wing.

Texas Voter Demographics and Mobilization Strategy

• Disengaged Black and Hispanic Voters:
  • “Texas has the largest number of disengaged black voters of any state in the country...If I were advising her, I’m going to...figure out who those low propensity and disengaged black voters are. You're going to target them like hell.” [05:49]
  • Emphasis on targeting these groups and Democratic-leaning white voters to build a competitive coalition.
• Negative Campaigning Against Paxton:
  • Anticipation that Crockett’s campaign will exploit controversies around Paxton, especially details from his marital turmoil, to sway moderates and wavering Republicans.
  • “You’re probably going to run a bunch of ads of his wife coming out...saying he’s not an evangelical...that would be a nuclear bomb.” [06:48]

The GOP’s Midterm Outlook: Risks & Opportunities

• Shermichael’s Take:
  • The midterm outcome will hinge heavily on “affordability and cost of living...We have got to address this as a party.” [07:47]
  • Republicans must continue border security successes but pivot to real solutions on the economy and housing.

Strategic Policy Solutions for 2026 and Beyond

• Housing Crisis:
  • “You can’t address affordability without tackling housing...You got to figure out a way to address this issue with companies like BlackRock...buying up all the darn houses...I think you gotta build more houses.” [09:26]
  • Proposal for a public–private initiative led by young men—providing employment, skills building, and addressing supply shortages.
• Opposition to H1B Visas:
  • Singleton calls the notion that America lacks smart tech workers “a farce.” Prefers investment in domestic STEM education and job training.
  • “We have to start prioritizing, training our own people for the next evolution of American superiority.” [10:36]
• Long-term Outlook:
  • Success on these fronts would “put us at an advantageous place come November” and set up the GOP for 2028. [11:16]

Second Amendment Update: Disappointment & Caution

• Current State of Gun Policy:
  • Discontent from gun rights advocates with the Trump administration’s mixed record despite promises.
  • “Pam Bondi...she has done a horrible job...We thought the administration was going to be very, very pro Second Amendment...they haven’t taken any of those positions.” [12:06]
  • Skepticism about new promises, e.g., a proposed Second Amendment civil rights office.
  • Singleton worries about the ability to turn out gun-owning voters if current ambiguities aren’t fixed:
    • “It’s going to be very challenging for us...to try to convince those folks to turn out next November if the promises made are not kept. And so far it’s been a very, very mixed and dicey bag.” [13:30]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Shermichael Singleton on unique Texas voter dynamics:
  “Texas has the largest number of disengaged black voters of any state in the country...If I were advising her, I’m going to...figure out who those low propensity and disengaged black voters are. You're going to target them like hell.” [05:49]

• Buck Sexton on “inflammatory” rhetoric:
  “Trump says wild stuff. You could say it’s inflammatory. I love it personally...So, like, I can’t pretend like Trump is not doing this stuff. Right. But you know, [Crockett] gets attention for herself. And I think she has a constituency.” [05:25]

• Singleton on Republican strategy:
  “If we lose midterms, it will be because of one reason, and one reason only. Affordability and cost of living, man. We have got to address this as a party.” [07:47]

• Singleton on housing & jobs:
  “You got to build more houses...our young men have a relatively high unemployment rate...You also put young men back to work, which, by the way, our young men have a relatively high unemployment rate, higher than the national average right now. That’s the first thing we could do.” [09:49]

• Singleton’s critique of the administration on gun issues:
  “This is a big missed opportunity because a lot of gun owners turned out to vote for President Trump...and now here we are...people saying, wait a minute here, this is not what you promised.” [12:55]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Jasmine Crockett’s Campaign & Texas Senate Race: [03:15] – [07:26]
• Midterm Republican Strategy & National Challenges: [07:26] – [08:29]
• Policy Proposals: Housing Crisis and Employment: [09:26] – [11:24]
• Second Amendment: Administration’s Record and Voter Impact: [11:24] – [14:11]

Episode Tone & Language

• The conversation is candid, fast-paced, and insightful, blending political analysis with straight talk and occasional humor.
• Both Buck and Shermichael’s language is direct, informal, and often colored with real-world examples and some good-natured banter (“No big whoop,” “You’re going to target them like hell,” etc.).
• A sense of urgency and concern pervades much of Shermichael Singleton’s commentary—especially on economic issues and gun rights.

For listeners seeking a sharp, inside-baseball look at Texas politics, voter mobilization, Republican midterm strategy, and the persistent challenge of aligning policy with the party base, this episode delivers frank perspectives and actionable ideas—especially for political strategists or grassroots activists.