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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBeto
Last edited Sat Nov 10, 2018, 11:00 AM - Edit history (1)
It seems counterintuitive to believe a candidate who can't even win his statewide race is a viable presidential candidate but Beto has a certain je ne sais quoi that makes me believe he can be one. He also ran thirteen points better than Lyin Ted's previous senatorial opponent.
Beto has the ability to inspire people. He reminds me of a hybrid of Bobby Kennedy and Barack Obama.
Beto-Kamala 2020.
dlk
(11,576 posts)There was evidence of voting machines flipping votes from Beto to Cruz.
onetexan
(13,058 posts)i'm sure the cumulative effect of all of those things contributed to his loss. I've read someone say Dems candidates need to do 10-20% better to win. This problem was years in the making. It's time Dems go to war about it as this article opines:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/opinion-voting-rights-house-democrats_us_5be333f9e4b0dbe871a61b88
SomethingNew
(279 posts)treestar
(82,383 posts)Think of him doing that nationally and I bet it could happen. All bets are off regarding previous experience.
Jersey Devil
(9,874 posts)You'd have to see how he did in a primary (or caucus) before that could be determined. Just the fact that he almost won in Texas doesn't do it.
But all this talk about Beto doesn't matter because he has said he is not running for president in 2020. I take him at his word until he says otherwise.
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,711 posts)Jersey Devil
(9,874 posts)Sherrod Brown was completely honest about it. He said if he ran for president his wife would divorce him. Maybe Beto has similar personal reasons. I'm sure both have a sense of duty to their country but it is a lot to expect people to completely sacrifice their personal lives.
crazycatlady
(4,492 posts)BannonsLiver
(16,448 posts)Jersey Devil
(9,874 posts)he says "no". So I think we are wasting our breath talking about it.
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,711 posts)mtnsnake
(22,236 posts)should be proof enough that he is someone worth considering for a future presidential run. There's something magical about someone who can do what he did in the South. It's like an intangible asset that few other candidates have.
Jersey Devil
(9,874 posts)Texas was a good sign for him, for sure, but one close call should not lead to a mandate for him.
Horse with no Name
(33,956 posts)dalton99a
(81,570 posts)The guy is a freaking people magnet. And he sure can haul in cash
LBM20
(1,580 posts)dalton99a
(81,570 posts)Anyone with money can run.
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,711 posts)argyl
(3,064 posts)After his loss, he gave his famous FU to the press.
"You won't have Dick Nixon to kick around anymore because, gentlemen, this is my last press conference."
At the time California was a Republican stronghold. He'd carried it in the 1960 Presidential election and figured he'd win the governor's seat.
After such an acrimonious comment for someone who'd never been a media darling you'd think that would've been the end of his political career. But he was elected President in 1968.
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,711 posts)BannonsLiver
(16,448 posts)unfortunately there are a lot of people here who seem to fit that bill, or have agendas of their own when it comes to those theyd like to see run in 2020.
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,711 posts)But from what I saw of him he has that rare ability to connect with people on individual level. That's a huge asset in running for president.
BannonsLiver
(16,448 posts)Were going to have a big field. He may be in it. I say let the chips fall where they may. The cries of experience and other assorted nonsense doesnt sway me one fucking iota.
dalton99a
(81,570 posts)Exhibit A: Donald Trump
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,711 posts)It's kind of like a belief in God. Folks see God as an idealized version of himself or herself.
MrsCoffee
(5,803 posts)LBM20
(1,580 posts)RestoreAmerica2020
(3,438 posts)..suggest she take second on ticket is insulting. Senator Harris credentials are impeccable, stellar, she is a polished statesman... "some just couldn't get past the color of my skin" Michele Obama stated when asked how she dealt with racism while in the WH for 8 yrs. H.Clinton (also with stellar, outstanding credentials ) wouldn't take a back seat, so why should Harris?
Sunsky
(1,737 posts)LBM20
(1,580 posts)DemocratSinceBirth
(99,711 posts)packman
(16,296 posts)Like a steak , he needs seasoning.
33taw
(2,447 posts)IronLionZion
(45,528 posts)and Lincoln lost his Senate election before being elected president
world wide wally
(21,754 posts)He is a proven winner as a red state progressive and would almost guarantee the Rust Belt.
Beto/Brown?
Harris/Brown?
Kennedy/Brown?
I like them all.
IronLionZion
(45,528 posts)In It to Win It
(8,283 posts)my response was always "ANYBODY ELSE 2020!"
33taw
(2,447 posts)gay texan
(2,471 posts)He has a ton of charisma and is very well spoken. When I shook his hand I told him I felt like I was meeting Jimmy Page. He started laughing and smiled really big and said "aw c'mon man...."
In It to Win It
(8,283 posts)I have no doubt that if he runs, he can win. He can take it all the way.
He has the right message and despite that being just a Texas statewide race, he captured the hearts and minds of Democrats across the country, similar to how a certain presidential candidate did in 2008.
Beto won independents, increased youth and first time voter turnout. Unfortunately, it just wasn't enough people to outnumber Republicans in Texas. Fortunately for us, the country does not resemble the Texas electorate landscape. If Beto can get that type of voter performance on a national scale, which I overwhelmingly believe he can do, the nomination and presidency is his.
I won't count him out until the point where primary candidates are announced and he's not one of them.
dalton99a
(81,570 posts)Look at what he accomplished in Texas - without pissing off people
rgbecker
(4,834 posts)Beto is a winner....3 terms as Representative.
aeromanKC
(3,327 posts)While Beto didn't win himself, he did have coattails down ballot that helped many Dems win their races!! Dems had a great night in Texas!!
Bidrn/Beto is my ticket.
Garrett78
(10,721 posts)Or maybe be Kamala's running mate. But even Beto knows this talk of him running for president is silly. I say that as someone who is very impressed by him. He won me over with what he said about anthem kneeling. But talk of him being our POTUS candidate is premature and a bit insulting to all those who are more qualified.
moreland01
(742 posts)We're ready for another President Kennedy. It's time. Kennedy/Harris. Or the reverse is perfect too!
sellitman
(11,607 posts)That ticket would win in a HUGE landslide.
andym
(5,445 posts)There are too many people in key states willing to support Trump and the Republicans, as witnessed by the loss of Senate seats in Indiana and Missouri, and the absolute inability to make progress in Tennessee even during the blue wave election.
Awsi Dooger
(14,565 posts)Otherwise incumbency is too powerful, no matter what it looks like two years out. I've detailed countless times the incredibly favorable situational trend that favors Trump.
If we don't have a superstar atop the ticket then we are overly dependent on Trump's approval rating and state of the economy. Of course, we are dependent on those variables anyway but maybe 2-3 points less if we have a star atop the ticket.
Beto should never run for senate in 2020. That would be asinine. Run for president or stay where you are. Second statewide loss would remove the aura.
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,711 posts)He's likable. I didn't become emotionally invested in his race because I knew it would be a slog but what i saw of him has impressed me like no other candidate.
LAS14
(13,783 posts)ananda
(28,876 posts)nt
jcgoldie
(11,645 posts)Before this recent election I was really hoping for a wholesale rebuke of Trumpism. That some significant percentage of traditional republicans may regain their senses in the voting booth and send a message that Trump's ignorance, racism, and general lack of civility were unacceptable. That's not what happened. Yes, we did have a blue wave in the sense that democrats turned out in greater numbers across the country and took back the house. But in the red states like Tennessee and South Dakota, and increasingly Missouri and Indiana... and even in always purple Florida and Ohio, the rednecks doubled down on their support for Trump. They have shown that no matter what he does or says going forward, they will continue to support him because the people they hate and fear are appalled by Trump... they fear Latinos and African Americans and hate liberals worse than they value honesty or civility.
What that all means to me is that we can win back the presidency from this hateful asshole in 2020, but the margin will be razor thin. If we haven't won back almost any of that 40-45 % who still support Trump, then its unlikely we will in the next 2 years. So we need a transnational candidate because the risk of Trump scoring some sort of electoral college coup with the aid of Russian election tampering and voter suppression is too disasterous to allow. We need someone who not just appeals to democrats, and not just appeals to independents more than Trump... but someone who brings out the unlikely voters in our coalition. Someone who inspires young people and Latino voters most of all. That's what Beto did in Texas and anyone who has seen him work in open settings like town halls or debates can surely see why. He has that charisma which is similar to the inspiration that Obama had. He may not put his hat in the ring, but if he does, I think he has a good chance to win the primary and perhaps the best chance we have to take back the office in 2020 and send the asshole packing.
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,711 posts)andym
(5,445 posts)I hope he decides to run. Charisma and winning positive messages should help him across the spectrum of potential Democratic voters.
I agree that he seems to combine features of Bobby Kennedy and Barack Obama. I also agree that defeating Trump will not be easy, because it's clear that many people besides Trump's core supporters have bought in, based on the elections in states like Ohio, Indiana, Missouri etc..