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The political rivalry between Texas and California intensifies
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Jul 3, 2017
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The political rivalry between Texas and California intensifies
Texas and California represent two opposite, but powerful, political landmarks. Lately, the rivalry between the two states has intensified.
The Texas flag flies at Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin.
The Texas flag flies at Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin.
(
Brian Bahr/Getty Images
)

Texas and California represent two opposite, but powerful, political landmarks. Lately, the rivalry between the two states has intensified.

The political strife between liberals and conservatives may be best represented by the rivalry between California and Texas.

Between California's travel ban to the Lone-star state and Texas's criticism of the West Coast's liberal policies, animosity between the two states is heating up.

"There's been tension between the two states for a long time," said David Siders, senior reporter for Politico. "I think what's new and different now is that Texas and conservatives there no longer have a Democrat in the White House to use as a foil."

Siders says that California fills the void of a criticism target that used to be reserved for the Obama administration.

On how Donald Trump has helped stoke the rivalry



"Since he's a Republican that's the first thing. Having a republican in the White House means that Texas doesn't have an Obama presidency to bounce off against. We used to see them file all sorts of lawsuits with Obama. But Trump is a special case and has fueled so much Democratic activism on the West coast."

On the criticisms Texas has about California



"It's about tax policy and jobs. They love to point, accurately, to statistics that show Californians moving out of California. For years California has had a net-loss of people leaving the state. And then [Texans] point to people moving to Texas so that's always kind of the primary thing they talk about. But also in this case, climate change. They say those policies are job-killers."

On how California responds to the claims from Texas



"There's a fair statistical response: Yes while people are leaving California, California is gaining more college educated people. And the unemployment rate just ticked up a little bit in Texas, so California now beats Texas on the unemployment rate. Wages tend to be higher in California. And then they also point to the beaches and say, 'Would you rather live here or in Texas'"?

Answers have been edited for clarity

To hear the full conversation, click the blue player above.