Wednesday afternoon link roundup

It's still a lovely spring day in Chicago, but crap keeps happening regardless of the weather:

• In Republican Party primaries yesterday, 24-year US Senate veteran John Cornyn (TX) lost to the unusually corrupt (even by Republican standards) state attorney general Ken Paxton by 20 points. This will probably increase the chances of Texas state senator James Talarico being elected to the US Senate seat in November.
• Former US Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) sees Paxton's win in Texas and Chip Roy's loss in the same primary as proof of the OAFPOTUS's tightening grip on the party, similar to Governor Tarkin's tightening grip on his region of the Empire.
• Paul Krugman thinks the Talarico-Paxton fight will be a referendum on health care.
• Brian Beutler shows actual evidence that impeaching the OAFPOTUS not only didn't help him, but actaully lowered his approval rating once low-information voters understood what he did to get impeached. In other words, Democrats: do your fucking jobs next Congress. (Look at New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, if it helps.)
• Climate deniers (like the OAFPOTUS) have taken exactly the wrong lesson from the deprioritisation of RCP8.5, the worst-case climate change scenario that has become less likely due to a reduction in coal burning worldwide.

Finally, the Chicago Cubs have completely imploded. After winning 10 straight earlier this month, yesterday they lost their 10th in a row, getting their asses handed to them 12-1 by the Pittsburgh Pirates. They have gone from first place last Monday to last place yesterday, which takes a lot of talent and effort. There are still 106 games left in the season, so all is not lost. Yet.