In a recent opinion piece for American Thinker, columnist Thom Nickels offers a scathing critique of Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico, who is set to face Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the fall. Nickels’ analysis takes an unusual route, drawing parallels between Talarico and a character from Roman Polanski’s 1999 cult film, The Ninth Gate.
Nickels opens by recounting how, shortly after watching the film—which follows a book detective searching for a 17th-century volume on summoning the Devil—his thoughts turned to Talarico. The connection, he explains, came from a perceived eeriness in Talarico’s public persona.
An ‘Impsh’ Politician with an Obama Imprint
Nickels describes Talarico as a “menacing Howdy Doody character,” noting his well-dressed appearance, impish face, and plastic-sculpted haircut. He references nicknames like “Tofu Talarico” and mentions that Stephen Miller has called Talarico “transgender,” while President Trump has referred to him as a “vegan.”
The columnist draws a striking comparison to former President Barack Obama, arguing that Talarico’s polished speaking style, hand gestures, and “silver tongue” quality are remarkably similar. Nickels claims that during a YouTube appearance on Stephen Colbert’s show, the “Obama imprint” was overwhelming.
Talarico told Colbert: “I think Donald Trump is worried that we are about to flip Texas.” He also described Texans coming up to him and whispering, “I’m not a Democrat.”
The ‘Backlash’ Narrative and Christian Nationalism
Nickels criticizes Talarico’s frequent claims of a growing “backlash” in Texas, interpreting “take back our country” as a call to resurrect DEI, open borders, allow transgender individuals in the military, reform or defund ICE, and promote woke ideology in institutions like the Smithsonian.
Central to Nickels’ critique is Talarico’s stance on church-state separation and his warnings against “Christian nationalism.” Talarico has stated, “There’s nothing Christian about Christian Nationalism. Christian Nationalism is the worship of power in the name of Christ.” He often cites his grandfather, a Baptist preacher, and the message to “Love God and love your neighbor.”
Nickels takes issue with Talarico’s definition of Christian nationalism, which he says includes the reversal of Roe v. Wade and bans on transgender surgeries for children. Talarico has said, “I don’t believe in a progressive or conservative Christianity; I believe in a biblical Christianity,” and he argues that politics is “another word for how we treat our neighbors.”
Using Faith for Leftist Ends?
Nickels accuses Talarico of reshaping Christianity to fit leftist Democratic talking points. He points to Talarico’s comments to Colbert—who Nickels notes had an audience of atheists and agnostics—where Talarico emphasized that Jesus never talked about gay marriage or abortion, but about feeding the hungry and welcoming the stranger.
More controversially, Talarico has cited the Annunciation to argue for abortion rights, suggesting that Mary was given a choice. Nickels disagrees, insisting that the story is about human free will, not divine approval of abortion.
Talarico also supports transgender children, calling them “an inspiration,” and opposes legislation restricting “gender-affirming care.” Nickels condemns this, framing it as support for “transgender mutilation of children.”
The ‘Devil Wears a Smiling Face’
Nickels draws his central analogy from The Ninth Gate: the devil-worshippers in the film are outwardly polite, kind, and welcoming—they hold doors for the elderly and say “please” and “thank you.” He writes that “the Devil usually wears a smiling face.”
Nickels sees this same superficial charm in Talarico, comparing his fashion sense (Texas leather boots, navy-blue suits) to Obama’s. He also recalls an interview with Beto O’Rourke, describing the two as “leftwing soy boys” in an “orgasmic display of respect and admiration.” Joe Rogan, he writes, was “conned” into suggesting Talarico should run for president.
Nickels laments that Talarico’s charm is swaying independents and Republicans, and that he is ahead in the polls—a troubling development in Nickels’ view. He also cites Ann Coulter, who once noted that Democrats get “very excited” over any candidate who appears to be a heterosexual white male, given their declining base.
A Wicked Distortion of Christianity
Nickels concludes by arguing that Talarico’s political ascent is built on a distortion of Christianity. He alleges Talarico believes God is non-binary, that there are six sexes, that abortion is fine, and that Jesus smiles on transgender surgeries for children—claims that Talarico would likely dispute but that Nickels presents as fact.
“Talarico’s political ascent, built as it is on his distortions of Christianity,” Nickels writes, “is in his own wicked way, taking what he likes from Christianity and discarding everything else.”
The piece ends with a nod to Polanski’s film, where devil-worshippers meet bad ends, implying that Talarico’s followers may face a similar fate after the “up-escalator” life of ease.
Source: www.americanthinker.com — https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2026/08/james-talarico-a-classic-polanski-villain/