Episode
The Personal and Political Saga of Herschel Walker
29:30
Published: Mon Oct 17 2022
Description
Herschel Walker, the former football star who is running for the Senate, is, according to the Times political reporter Maya King, a “demigod in Georgia sports and in Georgia culture.”The midterm election in that state is crucial — it could determine whether Democrats keep control of the Senate. Mr. Walker’s candidacy, however, has been tainted by a slew of stories about his character, including claims that he paid for an abortion for a former girlfriend despite publicly opposing the procedure.Guest: Maya King, a politics reporter covering the South for The New York Times.Background reading: How Republicans cast aside concerns and learned to love Mr. Walker.Will any of the allegations against Mr. Walker actually matter?For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Chapters
Republicans are looking for a candidate who can bring name recognition, raise funds, and rebuild the Republican coalition in Georgia, after low voter turnout cost them two Senate seats in 2021.
00:00 - 03:19 (03:19)
Summary
Republicans are looking for a candidate who can bring name recognition, raise funds, and rebuild the Republican coalition in Georgia, after low voter turnout cost them two Senate seats in 2021. The upcoming Senate race is becoming increasingly focused on the personal life and alleged hypocrisy of Hershel Walker, the Republican nominee, and could determine whether Democrats keep control of the Senate.
EpisodeThe Personal and Political Saga of Herschel Walker
PodcastThe Daily
Former NFL player and political novice Herschel Walker was initially expected to reignite Republican energy in Georgia's United States Senate race; however, concerns over his lack of experience and past controversies became the center of the campaign, overshadowing Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock.
03:19 - 15:41 (12:21)
Summary
Former NFL player and political novice Herschel Walker was initially expected to reignite Republican energy in Georgia's United States Senate race; however, concerns over his lack of experience and past controversies became the center of the campaign, overshadowing Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock.
EpisodeThe Personal and Political Saga of Herschel Walker
PodcastThe Daily
Herschel Walker, a potential Senate candidate who has not yet declared, is accused of supporting abortions in the past despite his current stance of having "no exceptions" for abortions, except for himself.
15:41 - 26:35 (10:53)
Summary
Herschel Walker, a potential Senate candidate who has not yet declared, is accused of supporting abortions in the past despite his current stance of having "no exceptions" for abortions, except for himself. A woman claimed Walker paid for and requested a second abortion, contradicting his current position on the issue.
EpisodeThe Personal and Political Saga of Herschel Walker
PodcastThe Daily
Liz Truss, Britain's new Prime Minister, is facing increasing challenges including the abandonment of her flagship tax policy and being publicly repudiated by her appointed government stabilizer, leading to doubts about her future as Prime Minister.
26:35 - 29:21 (02:46)
Summary
Liz Truss, Britain's new Prime Minister, is facing increasing challenges including the abandonment of her flagship tax policy and being publicly repudiated by her appointed government stabilizer, leading to doubts about her future as Prime Minister. Meanwhile, Herschel Walker is falling behind Raphael Warnock in the polls by an average of 2.5 percentage points after his ex-girlfriend accused him of paying for an abortion, and Warnock made a rare reference to Walker's personal life during the first and only debate on Friday.