Bulwark Takes Democrats Want a Viral Star. Texas Just Gave Them Two.
Dec 11, 2025
Lauren Egan, author of The Opposition newsletter and political analyst, dives into the impact of Jasmine Crockett on the Texas Senate primary. She discusses why Democrats are chasing viral candidates and the challenges moderates face in the digital age. Egan explores traits that make candidates go viral and the importance of continuous online presence over single viral moments. The dynamics between Crockett’s bold approach and James Talarico’s policy-driven style illustrate different paths to success in modern campaigning.
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Attention Economy Shapes Candidate Viability
- Democrats struggle in the attention economy compared with Republicans who mastered viral tactics.
- Progressive figures like AOC and Mamdani fit the platform-native mold; centrists often do not.
Aim For Ubiquity Over One Viral Moment
- Be ubiquitous rather than chase single viral moments to stay present in voters' feeds.
- Constantly record and share everyday campaign activity to build familiarity and algorithmic traction.
Connor Lamb: Do Things — Then Record Them
- Connor Lamb told Lauren he did all the right in-person things but failed to record them for online audiences.
- He concluded he had to constantly film activities despite feeling awkward doing selfie videos.