KSEV Mornings · October 29, 2026 · Hour 1
James Talarico’s classroom story and a similar one from Barack Obama, Gov. Greg Abbott on Gina Hinojosa, Obama and the Cheesecake Factory, and voting early in Harris County.
James Talarico’s story about why he got into politics led Thursday’s first hour of KSEV Mornings. Craig Coglianese played Talarico describing a classroom with 45 students and kids sitting on the air conditioning unit, then pointed out it “sounds really similar to a story Obama told in 2012.” Craig also talked about voting early in Harris County, played Gov. Greg Abbott taking on Gina Hinojosa, and wrapped the hour on the Brewers’ World Series win.
Craig votes early in Harris County
“I am not a vote early guy. I’ve never been a vote early guy,” Craig said. His wife got him to vote early on Wednesday at a polling place about four blocks from their house. With Harris County turnout reported to be soaring, he said the place he voted “had like four people,” adding, “I know it’s anecdotal.” Craig said Talarico needs to do well with Hispanic and Black voters “in order to have a shot at actually defeating Paxton in a state that hasn’t elected a Democrat in forever.”
His wife is from Mexico, born and raised, and is now a U.S. citizen. “She loves voting,” Craig said. Because politics in Mexico is corrupt, “politicians and corrupt go together very quickly for my wife, but she loves to vote.”
James Talarico’s classroom story
Craig played Talarico saying he entered the classroom in the fall of 2011, right after the Legislature cut more than $5 billion from public education, and that at one point he had 45 students in one classroom, with students sitting on the air conditioning unit. Then came a 2012 Obama story that Craig said sounds “eerily similar.” “I love the internet,” Craig said, “because the internet’s undefeated.”
Craig said he thinks it’s more likely someone gave Talarico the answer to why he got into politics. “If Talarico wasn’t actually in a classroom with 45 kids and a bunch of kids sitting on, you know, an air conditioner, it shows you how inauthentic everything about politics is,” he said. “I want a photo of the Talarico classroom.”
Craig said a lot of politicians simply want to be in charge, and that he’s fine with that as a story. The problem is the performance. By contrast, he called state Sen. Paul Bettencourt “just a regular guy”: “You meet the person, you talk to him, and you’re like, I don’t get the feeling of politician.” His advice for voters: “Pick people who are real.”
Obama and the Cheesecake Factory
Craig played former President Barack Obama walking back his Cheesecake Factory comments. “I lived at Chuck E. Cheese,” Obama said, adding California Pizza Kitchen and the Cheesecake Factory: “That was my jam for about a decade.” Craig’s reply: “I don’t think he did, sir.” He said he doesn’t remember Obama “hitting up a lot of Cheesecake Factories when he was in the White House,” and that President Trump tells a lot more jokes.
Craig did defend the restaurants. “I’m not gonna pull an Obama myself, but I think the California Pizza Kitchen is a step up,” he said, and his very Italian grandma loved the Cheesecake Factory “because it is delicious food.”
Greg Abbott on Gina Hinojosa: “She is wrong for Texas”
On Fox News, Gov. Greg Abbott said his Democratic opponent Gina Hinojosa is “for Joe Biden’s open border policies,” is “for defunding the police” and wanted a state income tax. “She is wrong for Texas,” Abbott said. Asked why his race is close, he said, “Texans, and I think Americans are tired of polls.” “Yes, we are,” Craig answered.
Craig admitted he has been “consistently worried that Talarico has a legitimate shot to win,” and said he broke his own rule and voted early. “As long as people show up and vote and vote Texas values, Talarico can’t win,” he said. “He just doesn’t represent their values enough.”
Abbott with Benny Johnson: keep Texas Texas
In an interview with Benny Johnson, Abbott said, “In Texas, the state can override local governments,” pointing to the state law banning homeless encampments. He also said the City of Houston voted to stop complying with ICE requests until he threatened to make it repay the state $132 million, and the city said it would comply. Craig said that is “more substance” and the reason to “keep Texas Texas,” comparing what could happen here to California and Illinois, where he lived for years.
Texas voters on Fox: “Keep the streak alive”
Craig played President Trump joking about the “fake Dan Sullivan” on Alaska’s ballot (“I think that’s hilarious”), then Fox News interviews with Texas voters. A 19-year-old named Elijah in a Dallas diner said his big issue is school choice: “I want to have the ability as a future father to know what my kids are learning in school.” “Well done, young man,” Craig said, adding that Texas should run a “keep the streak alive” campaign for never electing a Democrat statewide.
Brewers win the World Series
Craig watched the Brewers win the World Series and talked with producer Russell about a possible lockout. “I think the owners are ready to sit out a whole season for no salary cap,” he said, and the players won’t give in because “they don’t want to lose anything.”
Also in this hour
- The Amigos will be at Wings Over Houston on Friday, and Craig is bringing “all the cameras we have” to try to video the whole thing.
Hear Craig and Wayne live weekdays from 7–9 AM Central on AM 700 KSEV, The Voice of Texas. Visit the KSEV Mornings show page for live-listening controls and more episodes. Listen live weekdays 7-9 AM CT on the KSEV app.
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