O'Rourke nearly triples Iowa staff as focus grows on first 2020 voters

[TexasTowelie]

by Patrick Svitek, Texas Tribune


Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke has nearly tripled his Iowa staff as the former El Paso congressman puts a growing emphasis on the first-in-the-nation caucus state.

His campaign announced Friday morning that it now has 44 staffers in Iowa, including 37 organizers tasked with spreading out across the state to build support for the candidate. That's up from 16 Iowa staffers in late April.

The organizers are holding a "Statewide Weekend of Action" this weekend, canvassing in regions throughout the state. O'Rourke himself is set to arrive later next week for a trip during which he will open an office in Cedar Rapids, his campaign's first Iowa outpost beyond its Des Moines headquarters.

O'Rourke's ramped-up activity in Iowa makes clearer than ever how important he views the state to his 2020 prospects. By his campaign's count, he has held more events and visited more counties in Iowa than any other 2020 candidate. His four-day swing next week will be his fifth trip to the state since launching his campaign in mid-March, while he has visited two other critical early voting states, New Hampshire and South Carolina, three times and twice, respectively.

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2019/05/31/orourke-nearly-triples-iowa-staff-focus-grows-first-2020-voters/

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

1. Impressive... don't think Beto will gain traction in Iowa, but, then again, he may surprise.

Still waiting on a few policy positions... will keep a renewed open mind on him.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[Indygram]

3. Believe it or not, Iowa is actually a lot like Texas in some ways

Texas has a lot of agriculture and farming just like Iowa, and Beto has actually expanded his Climate Plan to incorporate what he has learned from farmers and Iowans in flood zones on the ground. He actually talks about his personal positions and thoughts on things all the time in town halls, but before he forms an official policy plan he learns from voters how different things impact them locally and he busts his butt to work all of those things he learns into his plan. It's really very smart. He works so hard and I honestly don't think anyone can quite match him when it comes to retail politics.

[DesertRat]

8. Where do you live?

Texas has a lot of agriculture and farming just like Iowa

As do many states, like CA for example.

[Indygram]

10. What does where I live have to do with what I posted?

It's like you read the first sentence only and implied that I was saying no other state had agriculture in it.

My post was explaining why I think Beto will do well in Iowa. It wasn't about comparing states or other candidates. Jesus...

[DesertRat]

11. I'm curious

I live in AZ. I've also lived in Texas for 4 years, Georgia for 1 year and spent several summers in CO, CA and Iowa.

[Indygram]

12. I was a military spouse...I've lived in 7 states

Born and raised in a very rural area. Have lived in the suburbs, the city and everywhere in between. I have lived in communities with damn near every race, religion, culture, socioeconomic and political group/persuasion you could think of.

Oh...and my father supported our family by harvesting and selling food, so there's that.

[DesertRat]

13. That's interesting

I've only lived in cities (mostly large ones). I enjoy traveling and meeting people from all walks of life.

[JI7]

4. he has more actual policy proposals than Sanders

Beto has actual details and is able to discuss them when asked unlike Sanders.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

5. As expected.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[JI7]

6. yes, more is expected of him than others

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

7. No, as expected of you.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[MineralMan]

2. No surprise there. It's a survival issue for O'Rourke, really.

[LibFarmer]

9. K&R nt