Julian Castro explains why he challenged Beto O'Rourke on immigration

[DonViejo]

“We have this disagreement on the most important aspect of immigration policy that would make sure, guarantee that we end family separations,” Castro said.

June 27, 2019, 8:53 AM EDT
By Daniella Silva

Former Housing Secretary Julián Castro explained Thursday why he challenged former Rep. Beto O'Rourke on his immigration platform during a pointed exchange of the first 2020 Democratic debate.

Castro took on fellow Texan O’Rourke during Wednesday night’s debate over the issue of decriminalizing border crossings. Castro has called for the repeal of Section 1325 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, a part of federal law that criminalizes unlawful entry to the U.S., while O’Rourke has previously said he did not think it should be repealed.

“This is the exact law that has allowed this administration to incarcerate the parents and then separate them from children and I called for the elimination of it,” Castro said Thursday morning on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “I just wanted to point out that if you’re not calling for the repeal of the section that means that basically you’re going to keep the status quo and you’re going to allow family separation.”

“We have this disagreement on the most important aspect of immigration policy that would make sure, guarantee that we end family separations,” he added. “I wanted to make clear not just for Beto but as you recall I challenged every other candidate in this race to join me on the repeal of Section 1325.”

Meanwhile, when asked about other candidates targeting him on the debate stage, O'Rourke said on "Morning Joe" that he was not "running against anybody, I'm running for the United States of America."

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https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/juli-n-castro-explains-why-he-challenged-beto-o-rourke-n1023126?cid=public-rss_20190627

[liskddksil]

1. Castro's plan is well-meaning but goes overboard and would be a general-election

disaster for the Democrats as we'd be the open-borders party. Beto's proposal is progressive but practical and could get 60 votes in the Senate.

[SouthernProgressive]

7. Castro doesn't support "open borders." Why are you promoting that RW myth?

Righties are going to do that no matter who our nominee is.

Really sad to see that being put forward here.

[Indygram]

11. You should read section 1325 because eliminating that IS open borders

Which is why Beto doesn't support it.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

13. There's a big difference between "decriminalizing border crossing" and "open borders."

[Indygram]

14. eliminating section 1325 would allow human trafficking

You should actually READ it. Then read this thread from an EXPERT on the subject who is a Mayor Pete supporter and explains why Castro is WRONG and Beto is right.

https://democraticunderground.com/1287170319

[Perseus]

2. O'Rourke was a disappointment, he only answered one question

All the other questions he danced around like politicians do. He was not only challenged by Castro, he was challenged by deBlasio very effectively, and O'Rourke was not able to answer to any of them.

I think O'Rourke needs to focus on taking Ted Cruz out from the Senate, he would be more useful there.

[Bayard]

3. Unfortunately

Beto looked like the most uncomfortable one in the crowd last night. Like a kid at the adult's table.

[DavidDvorkin]

4. I suspect that one big reason Castro attacked O'Rourke so vigorously

Is that he's hoping to knock him out of the race so that if the eventual nominee thinks he or she needs a Texan for running mate, there'll only be one obvious candidate.

[essadaw]

5. But Texans don't like Castro

All he is known for is being MIA in Texas. Texans are not interchangeable

[SouthernProgressive]

8. Favorability

June 2019

Castro

Very Favorable 10
Somewhat Favorable 16
Neither favorable nor Unfavorable 18
Somewhat Unfavorable 7
Very Unfavorable 26
Don't Know/No Opinion 23

O'Rourke

Very Favorable 22
Somewhat Favorable 20
Neither favorable nor Unfavorable 8
Somewhat Unfavorable 6
Very Unfavorable 40
Don't Know/No Opinion 4

https://texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/julian-castro-favorability-june-2019

https://texaspolitics.utexas.edu/set/beto-orourke-favorability-june-2019

Seems O'Rourke has much higher unfavorable numbers than Castro. Expected considering name recognition.

[Rstrstx]

9. It wasn't just about 2020

It's also about who is going to be the Top Dog of Texas Democratic politics over the next decade. In cutting Beto down Castro may have dealt himself a blow too, as Beto is extremely popular among TX Democrats, certainly more than Castro. By picking a fight with someone who can mobilize the party like nobody has seen in decades Castro risks losing the long game for both himself and the party in favor of short quick victories.

[dalton99a]

10. +1. Castro didn't lift a finger or else did very little to help Texas Democrats in 2018.

[Indygram]

12. Castro was unpopular in Texas before, but after last night

many will never support him for anything again. Texas LOVES Beto.