Ex-GOP strategist barely recognizes ex-client John Cornyn now: 'Such a sad case'

A former top GOP strategist says that he can barely recognize a senator, who is one of his former clients, after Trump surprisingly endorsed his opponent right before a primary.

"John Cornyn is just such a sad case," Stuart Stevens said on the latest episode of Harry Litman's podcast. "I now look at him, and I don't recognize him."

Cornyn (R-TX) is fighting for his political life after Trump endorsed his primary opponent, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

"He looks just so defeated," Stevens said about Cornyn. "Had he fought Trump, would he have won? Probably not. But would he feel a lot better about himself the day after he loses? I would certainly think so."

Stevens speculated that Trump saw polling numbers that said Paxton was ahead and didn't "want to be seen as a loser" by endorsing Cornyn.

"He's not going to endorse the guy who loses," Stevens reiterated. "If you're like a really good football team, and you trade for Tom Brady, you're probably not going to do worse."

Stevens brought up Cornyn while talking about another one of his former clients, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY).

"I'll say this about Massie versus John Cornyn, my former client, who basically lost a day before, probably when Trump endorsed Paxton," Stevens said. "At least Massie went down fighting, and I'd a lot rather be him today than John Cornyn the day after the Texas primary when he loses."

Cornyn thought that "he could feed the alligator, and the alligator would eat him last," referring to Trump and Cornyn's efforts to appease him.

"It just never works that way," he explained. "It is so sad."

GOP senators are surprised by Trump endorsing Paxton, Stevens added, but his thought is, "What did you think you signed up for?"