Former Georgia Bulldogs great Herschel Walker is currently running for the U.S. Senate in the Peach State. However, the Donald Trump-backed NFL star-turned-politician skipped the first major Republican U.S. Senate debate over the weekend, sparking reactions from his opponents and others.
Herschel Walker’s no-show looms large over Senate GOP debate #gapol #gasen https://t.co/ywwqVtRFX7
— Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) April 10, 2022
This all appears to be part of Walker’s strategy to ignore the other Republicans in the race, not take part in most GOP events, and not participate in debates until it’s against a Democratic challenger. The presumptive nature of the campaign means he thinks he literally doesn’t have to do anything to win the Republican nomination other than being Georgia legend Herschel Walker, and he might be right. Most polls have him ahead by an astounding number at the moment.
The decision to no-show led to one of his Republican opponents using some sports-related language to push back on Walker’s decision.
“Every coach that he had in the past instructed him that you’ll not play in the game if you don’t show up for practice,” said @GaryBlackForGA. “But his coaches now have him locked in the basement of the locker room. I think it’s a shame.” #gapol #gasen https://t.co/ywwqVtRFX7
— Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) April 10, 2022
Meanwhile, while the Heisman Trophy winner, national champion, and three-time SEC Player of the Year might have the respect of football fans around the country, he’s tarnishing that reputation in the eyes of many by the way he’s been conducting himself during this campaign so far.
Herschel Walker may have been a champion on the football field, but he's a coward on the political stage.
If he's too afraid to defend himself in a friendly debate of fellow Republicans, how is he going to defend the state of Georgia in the U.S. Senate?https://t.co/E5WYQT7Vbb
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) April 11, 2022
Herschel Walker no-show… a sign of confidence or fear? https://t.co/RfATF7eM0d
— Kerry Eleveld (@kerryeleveld) April 11, 2022
Herschel Walker actually being considered a serious candidate is everything wrong with politics, fame, CTE, and cable news.
— RealTimBlack (@RealTimBlack) April 11, 2022
There are, of course, plenty of people who support Walker as well (his poll numbers prove this). But if he continues to duck debates, align himself with fundraisers from white supremacists, and more details emerge about false claims on the campaign trail, we’ll have to see if Herschel can follow in the footsteps of his biggest backer and win anyway or if this spells his political downfall.
[AJC]
