Beto O'Rourke Will Rise Again

[JI7]

<Today people forget that O’Rourke traveled Texas nearly alone in what was at first considered a ridiculous long-shot effort to unseat Republican Sen. Ted Cruz. As 2018 slipped by, O’Rourke was still a long way from striking distance. But he was diligent and determined, in the race for the long haul. He did close that distance — to just over 2 points — coming closer than anyone the year before could have believed.

In my view, O’Rourke is a poor public speaker, outside of short bursts and small crowds. He does not possess the soaring rhetoric of, say, Barack Obama. But he is doggedly determined, like the runner who hangs in the middle of the pack only to make his break late. And frankly, having covered presidential campaigns, I can say that little of what goes on now will matter until September.

If O’Rourke is going to make a move to stay in the top five or six, it will be in the early fall. By then far less-resourced candidates will begin to drop from the race from sheer exhaustion and a lack of money. Time is on his side.

Yes, Beto O’Rourke has fallen. He is burdened by weaknesses and inexperience. But his doggedness, and that sense of burning urgency, are good reasons not to count him out. He will probably rise again. >

?1559302876645

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/outlook/amp/Beto-O-Rourke-will-rise-again-Opinion-14073569.php

[Iliyah]

1. K & R

[Perseus]

2. He needs to go back to fight for the Senate sit and take on Ted Cruz

Wait for another run for the presidency in four or eight years. My opinion is that he doesn't seem to be ready for the presidency, but he is ready for the Senate.

[PatSeg]

8. I agree

He doesn't seem to be ready. I can picture him being very effective in the senate. Not every talented politician can become president and many senators have become legendary.

[smooth64]

21. He ain't winning a Senate seat in Texas

Unfortunately that's why he didn't run against Coyen

[Amimnoch]

38. So a contentious senate primary is a good thing for the senate??

Strongly disagree. We already have an incredible candidate in Megar. Opening a contentious primary weakens our chances of turning that seat.

Nobody wants to hear it, but Texas ends the game.. it alone flips, and no other state that is in contention matters. We flip it and we get both a POTUS AND a net gain of 1 for us and loss for them in the Senate.

Beto on the National ticket + Megar on the Senate ticket and Texas is in its best position possible for a flip.

Beto runs against Megar at this point and kiss any chance for gains in Texas goodbye.

[Perseus]

3. "O'Rourke is a poor public speaker"

He was actually very good when he run for the Senate, it is at the presidential level that he is not ready. During the debate he didn't seem to be prepared, to have the answers, and that is why his speech suffered.

[Act_of_Reparation]

11. I don't know that it was a matter of preparation.

O'Rourke has two problems:

1) He hasn't held statewide office, so his experience at this level of politics is, well, limited.

2) He knows that if he doesn't win this election, he will have to go back to Texas and try his hand at another election there. He knows he needs to be mindful of the Texas constituency when discussing issues in these debates. And he might not have expected the competition to be so fiercely liberal this time around.

The guy's got talent, that's for sure. He just needs to accumulate some political capital before trying his hand in a presidential primary.

[jcgoldie]

54. He is absolutely not a poor public speaker

He did make mistakes in that debate. With that many candidates and very little true back and forth you can't begin your 30-45 second responses with analogies as he's apt to do on the campaign trail. I think he will be vastly improved in the next debate.

[onetexan]

55. so Beto had an off day, big deal. You haven't heard him speak at other events i gather

[lordsummerisle]

4. He should run for senate again

John Cornyn is running in 2020.

[Polybius]

18. That'll be tough, but I like the idea

Cornyn's approval is higher than Cruz's.

[Amimnoch]

39. Horrible idea. -nt.

[lordsummerisle]

47. How so? n/t

[Amimnoch]

49. A strong primary challenge at this point weakens an already long shot.

We already have an incredible candidate in Megar. Opening a contentious primary weakens our chances of turning that seat.

Nobody wants to hear it, but Texas ends the game.. it alone flips, and no other state that is in contention matters. We flip it and we get both a POTUS AND a net gain of 1 for us and loss for them in the Senate.

Beto on the National ticket + Megar on the Senate ticket and Texas is in its best position possible for a flip.

Beto runs against Megar at this point and kiss any chance for gains in Texas goodbye.

Just look at the map difference if JUST Texas flips that I’d posted in another thready. No other candidate really puts Texas into play, and Texas is the ONLY state that, alone could put us over that 270 point. All other states that are in or could be in play to pull 270 requires at least a combination of 2 states to be won.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=193778

[lordsummerisle]

51. Thanks, I knew nothing about that race n/t

[jromans]

5. Why?

I think its a pretty crowded field, and nothing about him stands out to me.

What is it about him that you want him to rise up again? What is unique about him that any of the other candidates don't offer?

(Genuine question since I don't know)

[JI7]

6. he understands the border situation more than anyone

he also understands new and changing technology.

his understanding of these issues will help in getting more effective laws that help to deal with it.

the country needs an update of many existing standards to desk with changes happening.

he has limitless energy so will be able to campaign more than anyone. this will especially be helpful since the msm will do all they can to help trump.

he can also get votes from more types of people

[Amimnoch]

50. For me, it's winning the Presidency, AND a Senate seat.

Last edited Mon Jul 8, 2019, 10:57 AM - Edit history (1)

270.. 270.. 270.. 270..

The positions of the candidates for POTUS? Matters very little to me. The House and Senate will drive policy. They write and pass the bills that become law. Will any of our large field of candidates fail to sign off on Democratic Party led legislations? The only one I question that on is Bernie Sanders. Will any of our large field of candidates fail to Veto any Republican led legislations that doesn’t get Democratic Party support? I don’t believe so. So when it comes to actually put in policy into effect, they’re all really the same. Maybe some influence through executive order at most, and when it comes to all the big promises coming from this field... it ain’t getting done via exec order.

A few states are going to determine the next president.. again.

Personally, the ONLY polls I’m paying close attention to are the ones in those tan states.

I’m disappointed Beto isn’t doing better. To my core, I believe he’d have been our best hope. With Hegar running for Senate, and Beto on the national ticket, I absolutely believe we could have flipped Texas this time around. Not only would a flip of Texas in 2020 get Cheetolini out of office, it also would give us a very critical +1 net gain in the senate toward getting the turtle out of there.

This is what that exact same map would look like with a texas flip.. Game over for them. Would it be a sure thing? No, but it definitely would put Texas in play as a realistic possibility.

[Indygram]

52. I live in one of those tan states

And if Beto stays in I will switch from an Independnet to Democrat just so I can vote for him in the primary here.

[Merlot]

7. Beto is a smart guy and he doesn't want to burn out to soon.

Also, he's probably more aware of what he needs to learn than anyone realizes. He hasn't been on the national stage as long as Harris or Warren so he has some catching up to do. I think he will.

He also strikes me as someone who can bring in a lot of votes from various places. That, and he has "good energy" which means he's pretty likable.

If he hasn't made big strides by mid-fall, I will re-evaluate him to the back of the pack, right now, I give him room to grow.

Every one loves a come back story.

[redstateblues]

9. I like Beto a lot. I've been bummed that he hasn't been a stronger Presidential candidate

[RLG]

10. To supporters of other candidates who say he should run for the Senate:

What if he doesn't want to?

Why must he be browbeaten into running for an office he doesn't want?

Also, I hope you tell Castro to run for the Senate as well. I bet he'll tell you the same thing.

[dalton99a]

14. +1. Everyone has a right to run for whatever job they want.

This also applies to people I don't like.

[dalton99a]

12. His intrinsic motivation is formidable.

When I first saw him - in the early days of his Senate campaign and in the middle of freakin' nowhere - and saw what he was trying to do, I really thought he was a fool and a masochist, or perhaps a victim of a practical joke where he had been given the wrong map. I was tempted to tell him to not waste his time trying to turn cannibals into vegetarians. We had a nice conversation but I still thought "Hey, good luck with that..."

The writer is correct in that he doesn't give a damn about political journalists. And as another article points out, he doesn't need a job to support his family - or as a means to collect bribes from special interests

[CTyankee]

13. Well, I am not "counting him out."

However, I, too, feel he needs a little more seasoning. I love that he is from my native state of Texas and he is one of the faces of that needed change.

Yet still I have to say: it is long past time that we have a woman president. I hope he will be part of that in 2020 and vigorously support our female candidate (hopefully Warren or Harris) in his home state.

[Indygram]

15. I support the BEST candidate for what America NEEDS right now

I NEVER have and NEVER will support a candidate just because of what group they belong to. I didn't vote for Obama just because he was black. I voted for him because he was the best candidate. IMO supporting a woman, man, certain age or race or someone who is straight or gay, etc. just because they belong to a certain group is foolish.

[CTyankee]

16. That is such an old, old argument.

I'll just say this: it is downright embarrassing that we haven't had a female president, when all of our allies around the world have had, or now have, a woman in charge of the government. I would suggest that we concentrate more on how we can get past the gender bias in our presidential elections, in addition to all the other biases (spoken or unspoken).

This isn't to say that you harbor such a bias. I don't think you do. But it goes without saying that we would never support a candidate because of what group they belong to (see Sarah Palin). That is a given.

[Indygram]

17. As I said

*I* have never and will never support someone just because of what group they belong to. I supported and voted for HRC and know she would have been a great president.

Warren holds positions that to me, as a moderate Independent are just too extreme. I've listened to and tried to like Harris but I just think she is better suited for Attorney General. I am also growing extremely sick of the way she and Biden have created a massive distraction from current important issues by bickering over busing. Anyone who exhibits a weakness for being sucked into distractions is not the right person to go against a narcissist like Trump or Democrats will lose. My second choice right now is actually Amy Klobuchar. Beto is my first choice. That's not going to change. Beto is once in a lifetime candidate that can and will transform politics in the entire country. He's the only candidate who I believe can do that. He is needed right now.

[Stallion]

19. Bill Clinton Bombed on the National Stage

….at the Democratic Convention in what 1988

I'm looking for candidates that grow with experience

[Honeycombe8]

20. He's lost his confidence, his mojo. Maybe he can get it back.

It'll be interesting to see. I hope so.

[Indygram]

24. Been watching him all along and I don't see that at all

and since Beto is well liked by black voters and can raise a massive amount of money he can easily win in a general election.

[Honeycombe8]

32. If you watched the first debate...

you saw a meek, stammering, insecure Beto. Not "the" Beto at all. Everyone noticed it. You can read all about it in the news.

But he can get it back.

[Indygram]

36. I watched the first debate and saw something quite different

I saw very poor first half moderation. I saw a candidate interrupt and attack Beto with what they knew was dishonest and inaccurate. Beto doesn't believe in attacking other Democrats and he's not a rude asshole. Because the moderators were awful they just allowed the interruptions. On top of that, Castro managed to help Republicans and Trump by getting so many candidates to agree with him on Section 1325 when they most likely don't even understand the implications. Repealing section 1325 makes it legal to sneak into the country between ports of entry and limits the authorities ability to hold suspected traffickers in drugs and people to stop them. Trump will make that into a commercial and use it against Democrats. I'm very happy that Beto did NOT go along with that.

[Honeycombe8]

41. I doubt he blames the moderators for his performance.

Any winning candidate accepts responsibility and makes a correction. Methinks you are viewing him through a fan's eyes, instead of objectively.

"Beto O'Rourke Has Tough Outing in 2020 Debate Debut" https://www.texastribune.org/2019/06/27/beto-orourke-has-tough-outing-2020-debate-debut/

"Was Beto O’Rourke That Bad?" http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/06/democratic-debate-beto-booker-warren.html

"Beto Is in Over His Head" https://www.thecut.com/2019/06/democratic-debates-2020-beto-orourke-is-in-over-his-head.html

"One Texan had a breakout night. The other had the roughest." (Referring to Castro, and Beto) https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/one-texan-had-a-breakout-night-the-other-had-the-roughest/2019/06/27/0c8d1db6-98d2-11e9-830a-21b9b36b64ad_story.html?utm_term=.d18cb378dea4

"Beto O’Rourke huddles with donors to discuss debate and ways to improve in the next round" https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/27/beto-orourke-donors-to-discuss-improving-debate-performance.html

"Apparently no one thinks Beto O'Rourke won the debate" https://theweek.com/speedreads/849535/apparently-no-thinks-beto-orourke-won-debate

"Can Buttigieg avoid the Beto bust? Chris Cillizza" https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/27/politics/2020-debates-pete-buttigieg-beto-orourke/index.html

There is no doubt that most people thought Beto was pretty bad at the first debate (except for Beto himself, who gave himself an "A" ). It is concerning that he can't see reality.

Obama turned in a bad debate performance in the first debate w/Romney. Obama readily admitted it and even joked about it. He then came back with both barrels in the next debate. But it starts with acknowledging that you made mistakes. You can't get better, if you think your poor performance was great, to begin with, despite everyone else's opinion.

[Indygram]

44. I saw nothing wrong with his performance at all

Trump and the GOP can't accuse him of being for open borders. Thanks to Castro now there is a sound bite for a future attack ad for so many Dem candidates.

[Honeycombe8]

46. Not sure if many people paid attention to Castro. The Repubs think the Dems are for open borders.

The Repubs think the Dems are for open borders, anyway. And some are. Much is being made of the candidates wanting to give free health care to immigrants, even those not here legally.

But you are a supporter, and I suppose aren't being totally objective. Interesting. I have never been that kind of supporter. When Obama did poorly at that first debate, I spotted it right away and didn't mince words that he had dropped the ball totally, and wondered what had happened.

I see a difference between the Beto of 2018 mid-terms and the current Beto. He's lost his confidence. He had an esp. bad entry, probably because of Mayor Pete. He hasn't recovered from it. But he can. He's certainly giving it his all. It's early yet, so we'll see. I like him and like that he's more moderate than most of the others.

[Indygram]

48. If I thought he did badly I'd say so, but I thought he did well

Keep in mind that I am a moderate Independent. I strongly dislike petty grandstanding and obnoxious rude behavior. Even more than that I can't stand dishonesty.

Not sure why you keep trying to say he's "lost confidence." I watch every video and appearance he makes and know better. Being polite isn't a lack of confidence and being rude isn't confidence...it's arrogance and arrogance is a liability and unappealing.

[JustAnotherGen]

22. We'll see

Right now I'm enamored with Castro and he's the only one I've committed to giving monthly donations.

I want to see Steve Bullock on the stage and get some of the less dynamic characters off the stage. Certainly Beto over Swalwell, Inslee, Delaney, Gabbard, and Williamson. Those five need to go now.

[Indygram]

26. I sure hope you have vetted Castro

he's not without some very serious warts.

[JustAnotherGen]

27. Yes - and Bullock - I'm updating this.

Google Britt Long.

He's dead in the water.

I'm all in for Castro as a top five. I don't think your guy can beat Trump. He could be selected as VP - but I think Biden or Sanders will be the nominee.

I'm ultimately supporting VP picks.

That's going to make it very hard for me to throw a lot of money to keep another white male in the game.

[Honeycombe8]

33. It won't be Sanders. nt

[Honeycombe8]

34. Unfortunately, I don't see a path for a male V.P.

It's a shame, if the VP is selected by identity mainly (although it's valid to take that into consideration), but if the two most likely to win are white males, that means we won't select the most likely to win. Because I don't see a ticket with two white males on it.

[Indygram]

35. I think Beto is the best bet to win

Because he has the best temperament and style to go up against a narcissist. Most of the candidates are too easily distracted and manipulated into defending themselves or bickering over things that distract from things that are most important to voters. Beto has already been fully vetted in the very nasty race against Cruz. I don't think any of the other candidates have experienced that and Beto's baggage is minimal in comparison to most. Beto WILL turn Texas blue if he's the nominee and Trump has no path if Texas goes blue, even if he takes every last usual tossup state. Beto has a massive statewide army of volunteers in Texas. Trump doesn't. Republicans have never really had to campaign there before. He would have to spend millions to try to win there. That would make him vulnerable in all battleground states and even some other red states that Beto will go after full force. The down ticket impact Beto can have with how he energizes and motivates volunteers will flip so many downticket races all over the country. Democrats would be incredibly stupid not to nominate Beto. As an Independent nothing has frustrated me more with the Democratic Party than their uncanny ability to wrestle a defeat out of the jaws of an easy victory. That is what NOT nominating Beto O'Rourke would amount to. I believe that 100% with all my heart and soul.

[JustAnotherGen]

42. I appreciate your passion

But he won't help in the NJ 7th. We had a GOP Congressmen for 38 years and flipped it without him in 2018. Malinowski is a former Obama employee. People here like the Obama glamour.

I'm an elected Democratic Committee Member and know my precinct like the back of my hand - to include flipped voters. Several are white males over the age of 60. They like Biden, Castro, Corey and Kamala.


These guys are why we flipped the seat. They vote in every election.

To be honest - if Trump wins these guys will make it very easy for me to capture the County Clerk seat I want. Trump has a good chance because not enough of us ran for the position that owns the polls. This was the chatter last night at the VFW.

[Indygram]

45. Texas has 38 electoral votes and Beto is the ONLY one who can deliver them

Without Texas, Trump has NO path to win, even if he doesn't lose a single vote anywhere else from 2016.

[TexasTowelie]

23. K&R. nt

[ucrdem]

25. I think he is definitely still in the veep-stakes.

I missed the first debate and tended to like Castro before I heard about it but the sad fact is that Beto is easier on the eyes and Castro comes across as a nasty coworker.

[JustAnotherGen]

28. I do too

But I don't think Beto is easy on the eyes. That's personal taste - but Booker is much better looking.

[ucrdem]

29. Castro is talented and smart, that's clear

and he's willing to play the pit bull and that's a good veep skill. If Texas is close they are both going to be considered so it might come down to who is more likely to help in TX. Dunno too much about that but my hunch is Beto. Then again that's just one consideration. Personally I think Harris would be perfect for veep but I think she would hate the job and won't accept it.

[Indygram]

37. Castro isn't popular in Texas and his attack on Beto made him less so

Beto is adored in Texas. He is the ONLY one who can deliver Texas. According to one canvasser who goes out EVERY weekend in deep red areas....Beto is beating Trump even in those areas. If the nominee is Beto Trump loses Texas, period.

[Amimnoch]

40. Exactly!

Megar on the Senate ticket with Beto on the national ticked and we have our BEST chance of a POTUS + 1 net gain in the senate.

[JustAnotherGen]

43. I would rather

They offer her AG if she doesn't win the nomination.

[cwydro]

30. Lol, I saw someone refer to him as looking like Napoleon Dynamite.

I had to google actually, but I see it completely.

I don’t see him as “easy on the eyes” either, nor is that one of my qualifications for a candidate.

[LincolnRossiter]

31. Perhaps. But probably not in this cycle.

[lunamagica]

53. K&R for visibility