'Reckless fool' Trump warned vindictive attack has put Dems' impossible dream within grasp

Donald Trump's vindictive takedown of a man he considers disloyal handed Democrats a real chance of a prize considered an impossible dream just a few months ago, a columnist warned the president Thursday.

By taking out his hurt feelings on Sen. John Cornyn, a 23-year GOP Capitol Hill fixture considered a certainty for re-election in Texas in November's midterms, Trump replaced him with the scandal-battered, widely disliked Trump clone, Ken Paxton.

And the I Paper's Simon Marks wrote that it has given the Democrats a legitimate chance to achieve what was recently considered out of reach — and take control of the Senate.

"Either his actions are those of a Machiavellian political genius, or he’s a reckless fool who is carelessly placing the future of the Republican majority in the Senate in the hands of Texas voters," Marks wrote about Trump.

He added, "In Paxton, [The Democrats] have never had a weaker opponent. Trump is placing a Texas-sized bet on his mini-me, and it may not pay off."

Trump torpedoed Cornyn last month, throwing his weight behind Paxton after deeming Cornyn "insufficiently loyal." He then launched the most expensive Senate primary in history, with a staggering $130 million spent to crown a candidate the National Republican Senatorial Committee once called "truly repulsive and disgusting."

Now standing in Paxton's way is 37-year-old Democrat James Talarico, a former teacher and seminary student who is already beating Paxton by three points in early polling.

"There is something happening in Texas," Talarico told supporters at a San Antonio music venue last Friday. "I feel it in my bones that we're going to win this election."

Marks added, "Talarico’s chances are being boosted by the state of the economy, the soaring price of petrol and the fears of thousands of military families in Texas whose loved ones are participating in Trump’s war on Iran.

"...Republicans on Capitol Hill must come to terms with the fact that the future of the Senate may hinge on his ability to retain Cornyn’s seat."