Beto O'Rourke is not the progressive some imagine

[workinclasszero]

by Elizabeth Bruenig

In the meantime, though, we have the national election to think about, and when it comes to national politics, O’Rourke is plainly uninspiring.

As Zaid Jilani pointed out at Current Affairs, O’Rourke’s congressional voting record signals skepticism about progressive priorities. “While the Democratic base is coalescing around single-payer health care and free college, O’Rourke sponsored neither House bill,” Jilani wrote, “During his time in Congress, he never joined the Congressional Progressive Caucus.” Instead, O’Rourke is a member of the New Democrat Coalition, a centrist caucus with Clintonian views on health care, education and trade.

Where it comes to Medicare-for-all, O’Rourke has been carefully unclear about his stance: A Politico article from July notes that, at least for a time, he had sworn off using the terms “single payer” or “Medicare-for-all,” instead using the less-specific, policy-neutral phrase “universal, guaranteed, high-quality health care for all.”

His campaign website remains unclear, stating that he aims for achieving universal health care coverage “whether it be through a single payer system, a dual system, or otherwise.”

O’Rourke’s other progressive-ish policy positions tend to follow along these lines. While some progressives, rallied by talk of a Green New Deal, have argued for higher taxes on oil and gas company profits, fossil fuel lobbyists to be banned from working in the White House and a whole-economy overhaul slotting Americans into jobs producing carbon-neutral infrastructure, O’Rourke’s statements on energy have been surprisingly thin. He has called the decision between oil and gas and renewable energy sources “a false choice” and proposes on his campaign website mainly to rejoin the Paris climate accord, empower the Environmental Protection Agency and enact energy reform.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-perspec-beto-orourke-not-progressive-enough-1207-20181206-story.html

[TwilightZone]

1. Who is this "some"?

It's been pretty clear since he rose to prominence that he's relatively moderate. It is Texas, after all.

This should be news to no one.

[getagrip_already]

51. He's the brother of Trump's pal, everyone......

You know the guy, everyone says so...

[Scruffy1]

149. He mached his district well.

El Paso is the home for a huge refinery company and has a large refinery inside its city limits. Anyone who made too much anti oil noise wouldn't last long. Also, many of the voters tend to be socially conservative.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

180. That's fine... Beto is entitled to his views. But, voters don't have to accept them.

I sure don't.


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

[RandySF]

2. The author grasped at straws to write that.

[octoberlib]

35. Elizabeth Breunig is a Bernie supporter.

[dalton99a]

47. Yep

[George II]

70. Not surprised.

Interesting that in the last day or two the attacks on Biden and O'Rourke have increased.

BTW, Beto announced tonight that he's running!!

[Old Vet]

111. Thats good news.................

[NastyRiffraff]

144. Bernie and his supporters are terrified of Beto

Expect more smears from them, much dirtier too. And about as accurate.

[redstateblues]

3. Sounds like a Bernie-ite- Beto will definitely take a chunk of Bernie fans

when he jumps in

[workinclasszero]

8. Not hardly with views like that

The debates will be brutal for Beto.

[Gothmog]

13. I guess that sanders supporters are nervous and so it is time to attack Beto again

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211571412
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211583806
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211585863

[workinclasszero]

15. Naw all the cool kids around here call it vetting

Well when they are attacking Bernie anyway.

Beto and Joe will be vetted too.

[Gothmog]

16. Have you met Carnival Cruz? Do you know how Texas GOP operate?

Beto was vetted very well by Carnival Cruz and the Texas GOP. Hint, Beto had a DWI arrest and was in a rock band in some very ugly pants. The Texas GOP and Carnival Cruz worked hard to vet Beto but have fun. Good luck with finding something that Carnival Cruz missed

On the other hand, no one took sanders seriously last time and so sanders was not vetted. I am looking forward to this process https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/01/28/why-bernie-sanders-has-an-uphill-climb-ahead/?utm_term=.1b4f90c2a717

Finally, what happens when the oppo dump on Sanders comes? We have no idea, because it never happened in 2016. Clinton was so terrified of alienating his supporters and seeing them vote for Jill Stein in the general election (or not vote at all) that she tiptoed around him for pretty much the entirety of the primary campaign. That doesn’t mean that he’ll be destroyed when stories about the more colorful aspects of his history start cropping up, but there’s just no way to know.

Which is what we could say about the Sanders candidacy as a whole: There’s no way to know how it’s going to go. But he’s got his work cut out for him.

See also https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/19/politics/bernie-sanders-2020-campaign-donald-trump/index.html?utm_source=twCNNp&utm_content=2019-02-20T14%3A52%3A07&utm_term=image&utm_medium=social%C2%A0

2. How will he withstand more scrutiny and more attacks?
One of the secrets to Sanders' success in 2016 was that no one -- most especially Clinton -- thought he had any chance of going anywhere in the race. Clinton largely ignored him for the better part of 2015, allowing some problematic parts of Sanders' record for Democrats -- most notably his voting record on guns -- to go unnoticed. (When the race began to tighten, Clinton gently prodded Sanders on guns and health care.) Sanders, too, largely flew under the radar of investigative reporters for major news outlets who were busy looking into Clinton, Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio and others seen as more viable candidates. (That reality clearly benefited Donald Trump in the early days of the campaign, as well.)

Sanders will get no pass -- from either the media or his fellow candidates -- this time around. He is among the frontrunners -- and will be treated as such. His wife's time as president of Burlington College could well come up. And his opponents will do a deep dive into his nearly 30 years of votes as a member of the House and Senate. This is all very normal stuff in a campaign. But not for Sanders.

I look forward to the vetting of all candidates

[LakeArenal]

41. Have you seen Bernie's taxes?

[TwilightZone]

44. Joe's been vetted for decades and Beto was heavily vetted in his race vs. Cruz.

Vetting is nothing new, and it's not unique to Sanders.

[Gothmog]

75. Obama was satisfied with Joe

Obama vetted Joe. That is good enough for me

[pnwmom]

103. He vetted him for VP, not P. And when Joe ran for President, Obama didn't

choose him over Hillary. I doubt that Obama will endorse him now, either.

I worry that Joe's past positions on various issues, as well as poor leadership on Anita Hill, will come back to haunt him.

[Gothmog]

105. Obama made no choice in 2016

Biden was dealing with the death of his son and so was not able to run. I can not image the loss of a child and I understand why Biden did not run in 2016

[pnwmom]

106. Biden ran for President in 1988 and lost to Dukakis,

and he ran again in 2008 and placed 5th in the Iowa caucuses before he dropped out.

So even if his son's death hadn't caused him to drop out in 2016, his win was by no means guaranteed.

[Gothmog]

126. President Obama vetted Joe and that is good enough for me

[workinclasszero]

100. Most people only know Joe as President Obama VP

And a whole lot of those people will be shocked right out of their socks when they see the video of Joe in Congress screaming about PREDATORS!!!

Predators was a code word obviously. Also when he bragged about making 50 plus laws death penalty offenses. It all looks extremely bad today.

Beto looked good running against that far right idiot GOP'er Cruz in Texas sure but now he's running against some actual progressives nationwide and the contrast between the perception of him vs the reality is not gonna be a good look for him.

Not to mention the fact that he couldn't even win his home state. What makes him think that a good jump off point for the presidency?

[George II]

125. Nope. Biden has been a national figure for decades, even from the time he was first elected....

....as the youngest Senator ever. He wasn't even eligible to serve when elected, he turned 30 a few weeks after the election and then was sworn in a few weeks after his 30th birthday.

Since then he's chaired the Foreign Relations Committee and Judiciary Committee, two of the most powerful Senate committees, and has been a force in national politics since the 1970s.

Here's a very interesting fact to take note of - prior to running for office in Delaware he was an independent. When he decided to run for the first time he became a Democrat and.........once elected REMAINED a Democrat. Can't say that about all of our current candidates now, can we?

[TwilightZone]

136. Projection.

"Most people only know Joe as President Obama VP"

Only if you just starting paying attention to politics in the past ten years.

[Gothmog]

147. President Obama vetted Joe and that is sufficient for most real Democrats

[sfwriter]

134. Biden's positions will seem very different now.

Let me paint you a picture of the tough on crime Democrat who kept additional accusers from coming to light in Clarence Thomas’ nomination, voted yes on the Iraq war and voted for the defense of marriage act.

That’s what his opponents and not a few members of the public will point out. Never mind he evolved on those issues, they will be evaluated in the era of gay rights, black lives matter, and me too.

[George II]

73. "Vetted"? Where are the tax returns that were promised three years ago?

[emulatorloo]

89. Asking for financial transparency isn't an "attack" though.

It’s part of the job interview. “Cool kids”? Picking a Presidential candidate is pretty serious.

[Gothmog]

148. Today would be a great day for sanders to release his tax returns

[workinclasszero]

142. Yeah we are attacking him

with his own voting record.

I hear Beto just got endorsed by Rep. Kathleen Rice, who organized against Nancy Pelosi for speaker of the House.

[Gothmog]

146. I am amused that sanders supporters are so terrified of Beto

sanders supporters attempted this a couple of months ago and those efforts failed.

This will be fun. In Texas, I doubt that sanders will break 15% in most districts.

[Gothmog]

150. BTW, I just donated to Beto

My first but not last donation to a presidential candidate this cycle

[Renew Deal]

153. Will you be correcting this mistake at some point?

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=22101

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

181. Nervous?! Hardly!! Good one though...

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

[George II]

72. No they won't. Beto is the real deal.

[workinclasszero]

101. Is Beto in favor of Medicare for all?

Is he in favor of raising taxes on the rich and huge corporations that pay none now?

Is Beto in favor of the Green New Deal that will directly effect in a big way the oil and gas industry in Texas?

I don't know.

The perception is that he is a progressive. We will see real soon if that's that's reality or not.

[Old Vet]

112. Gotta love these circular firing squads going on, Geez

[TwilightZone]

138. "I don't know."

Perhaps you should spend five minutes finding out.

Intentional ignorance is not a compelling argument.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

182. The hemming and hawing by Beto on these issues tells me everything I need to know.

Think I'll go with the candidate who proudly advocates for the most progressive agenda that's in tune with what the American people are demanding.


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

[lapucelle]

139. Not as brutal as for those who have to answer questions about missing votes, missing tax returns,

and past campaigns characterized by sexual violence and pervasive predatory cultures.

And that's before journalists and opponents even get around to votes on the Crime and Brady bills.

[Demsrule86]

158. I don't think so. A compelling argument can be made against Medicare for All.

It will be costly. I takes away workplace insurance ….unpopular that. I think Beto will attract young Millennials because he has a positive message about building up this country. This is the time to turn this country around. I agree with him. And Beto is my second choice. He is my kid's (millennials) first choice.

[BlueWI]

170. Health Care is costly now.

The question is which approach is least costly and maximizes access. Single payer shouldn't be assessed without reference to our current costly system where access still isn't universal.

[Demsrule86]

171. Wrong...people who have workplace insurance would pay more...there are no family plans on Medicare.

I calculated hubs and I would pay 600.00 a month for less coverage than we have now. It simply is not politically smart to try to force those insured at the workplace onto Medicare. Also, jobs is an issue...there many jobs in the insurance industry.

[BlueWI]

173. Nothing wrong.

I said that health care is costly now - true. We pay more than any other nation.

I said that access to care isn't universal now - true. ACA has reduced but not eliminated the millions who are uninsured.

I said that single payer - like other systems, should be evaluated based on its comparative costs and provision of access - I think so.

I'm not going to try to compress a comparative systems debate on a comment board, but it's certainly the case that experiences with the current system vary. Good for you if you have affordable coverage, so do I. Millions of people don't, some of whom have few options. Whether it's single payer or other systems, I put the needs of uninsured people and the need for cost controls above the employment trends in the insurance business.

Others calculate differently. But it's a good thing that this issue has regained prominence.

[Demsrule86]

174. I think our system needs to be fixed with a lowering of medicare age and a public option.

fixed using money to insure people who need it and move towards universal healthcare in this way-similar to Germany's or Switzerland's system...but the Medicare for all thing which is the idea that we start a new system of Medicare and require that everyone participate. That is a non-starter politically and no candidate should support it.

[BlueWI]

175. I agree in part.

We should consider how other democracies have pursued and found policy solutions for access and cost. And if Medicare for all was pursued, the final reform legislation would be hard to predict.

I don't agreed that it's politically a non-starter. The idea itself polls well, and California may be an early adapter. But it would take a committed Democratic majority willing to expend some political capital to pass it nationally. And unlike Republicans, Democrats struggle more with passing potentially contentious legislation even when they're in the majority.

In any case, I hope the profile of this issue continues to rise. Turning away from the public option in 2009 has left us with this continuing challenge of how to expand coverage. And as millennials enter the workforce and eventually age, I predict that employer coverage will continue to be rarer and rarer. So, it's time to solve the problem for the sake of the future.

[Mr Tibbs]

17. No

[George II]

76. "It's like deja vu all over again."

[George II]

68. I think that's why some are getting verrrry nervous!

[shanny]

91. lol

[Sherman A1]

4. He hasn't impressed me

but if he should be the nominee he will get my vote over anyone or anything the GOP has to offer.

[workinclasszero]

9. Well yeah I'm voting for the dem candidate

But it’s a long way to the convention

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

183. Not at all.

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

[MineralMan]

5. He's a pretty moderate Democrat, but he's young and has, you know, "charisma."

So, it doesn't matter to some. Frankly, though, I don't think his youth and charisma are going to get him to the White House next year. He didn't win that Senate seat in Texas, so you can't count on him to carry Texas, even. Nationally, among the general public, he's not that well-known, really.

He can ride a skateboard, though, so there is that.

[Tipperary]

7. And the tooth cleaning video was so inspiring!

Lol.

[Merlot]

45. That's my feeling: he didn't win the Senat seat in Texas

Maybe he has potential, but he needs more wins and time on his resume first. The "charisma" thing won't carry him to the finish line if it doesn't carry Texas.

[George II]

85. So? He's a Democrat in Texas, an uphill climb trying to unseat an incumbent republican....

There are 50 states in the Union, carrying Texas is not the Holy Grail.

Did Obama carry Texas?

[lynintenn]

54. Biden nor Harris nor Sanders will carry Texas.

They have to Carry Florida and one of the states Trump won..

[TwilightZone]

80. I don't think any Democrat was going to win in Texas.

A lot of people don't understand how bad the turnout discrepancy is between the parties here in TX. In reality, Beto would have needed at least a 5-point lead going in to make up the difference between R and D turnout.

Until we fix that - and we're working on it - it's going to be an uphill battle for *any* Dem in a statewide race.

[Amimnoch]

116. Cruz isn't the president.

If Cruz, Cornyn, or another Texan was in the WH or in the VP seat, I’d agre on the chance to carry texas, especially after the indicators of the 2018 mid-term.

However, even though Cruz isn’t highly popular here, consider 2016 Republican Primary results:
Cruz trounced orange hitler 43.8% to 26.7% - 17 points.
Against Beto in 2018, Cruz did win, but by 50.9% to 48.3% - less than 3 points.

The skinny? Cruz is not popular in Texas, but 45 is even less popular. Texas is NOT MAGA country. We do have an element of it, but they don’t dominate like other red states by any stretch. Beto CAN turn Texas in a run against 45.

Of course, the BS purity tests that are already being proctored REALLY helps in those states that will be required to get that 270 mark.

People.. as those ridiculous things start coming out again, just remember, if we give our next Democratic Party POTUS a Senate, and a House that will PASS a bill:
1. That gives single payer, medicare for all or universal healthcare, NONE of our candidates would dare not sign or veto it. EVERY Republican would.
2. That provides a green bill or even a green New Deal, NONE of our candidates would dare not sign or veto it. EVERY Republican would.
3. That provides strong education bills, or universal college tuition/tuition assistance, NONE of our candidates would dare not sign or veto it. EVERY Republican would.
4. That provides immigration reform that provides human dignity, human rights, paths to citizenship, and provides for our DREAMers, NONE of our candidates would dare not sign or veto it, EVERY Republican would.
5. Provides protections minorities of any type, shape, or form in our country, NONE of our candidates would dare not sign or veto it. EVERY Republican would.

As these shit purity tests are administered, REMEMBER that we need a CONGRESS that will pass those legislations.. that is the most important step. We need a president that will sign those bills second. No matter what these campaign trail speeches, or positions “say”, all of our candidates will be willing to sign the bills that the congress WE provide for them will put on their plate.

[HopeAgain]

6. But, but, he can skateboard!

I think Beto is about Beto. I don't vote for charisma (or Republican light).

[Sherman A1]

10. I agree

he seems to be just a bit too slick and a bit too packaged.

If he is the nominee, well then he gets my vote, but not until that point.

[Mr Tibbs]

18. All I know is he pledged to "Work with the other side to get things done"

Which would be a disaster given the other side are fascists who kidnap children and protect rapists.

[NurseJackie]

19. Ha!

Sanders: I'm 'prepared to work with' Trump

https://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/sanders-trump-work-together-231158

[Cha]

24. Oooops! Thanks for enlightening

the BS supporter on what his candidate has said about trump.

[sheshe2]

30. Bazinga!

[NurseJackie]

32. I know, right?

Cheers!

[sheshe2]

33. I see what you did there.

It's possible.

[Mr Tibbs]

43. Here's exactly what Sanders said. No zinger, sorry

From YOUR link:

“To the degree that Mr. Trump is serious about pursuing policies that improve the lives of working families in this country, I and other progressives are prepared to work with him," Sanders said. "To the degree that he pursues racist, sexist, xenophobic and anti-environment policies, we will vigorously oppose him."

[NurseJackie]

49. LOL!

Here's exactly what Sanders said.

I know exactly what he said.

No zinger, sorry

So?

“To the degree that Mr. Trump is serious about pursuing policies that improve the lives of working families in this country, I and other progressives are prepared to work with him,"

Thanks for helping me to emphasize my point.

18. All I know is he [Beto] pledged to "Work with the other side to get things done"
Which would be a disaster given the other side are fascists who kidnap children and protect rapists.

Why is it a "disaster" when someone other then Bernie wants to work to find common ground, and get things done? The arguments you're making are beyond comprehension. You know perfectly well that Beto does not support fascists, kidnapping or rape.

That not-so-subtle insinuation and slam against him reveals much more than was intended. I may be an old gal, but I'm not senile and I'm not as dumb or easily confused as you may think. I know double standards when I see them.

[Mr Tibbs]

50. Working with the Republicans is a disaster because

... they are fascists implementing full fascism. There is no working with fascists because they do not compromise.

[NurseJackie]

58. Riiiiight. I know double standards when I see them.

It's okay for BS but not for anyone else... Got it! Understood.

[Mr Tibbs]

59. So you believe it is possible to work with Trump Republicans

for positive change.

We disagree.

[NurseJackie]

60. I said no such thing and you know it.

What's disgusting is the hypocrisy of criticizing Beto while giving someone else a pass. I'm no fool. I'm not easily distracted or confused. These games won't work with me.

[Mr Tibbs]

61. It isn't hypocrisy

It's very clear that Sanders won't be "Working with the other side to get things done®", as shown by your link:

"To the degree that he pursues racist, sexist, xenophobic and anti-environment policies, we will vigorously oppose him."

[NurseJackie]

62. Yes it is.

Double standards. Word games. Cherry picking. That's exactly what it is.

[LanternWaste]

166. I dig how you hold the same action to two different standards.

It's cute. Irrational and rather naive of course, but I have to admit it... very, very cute.

[ehrnst]

168. You mean like this?

A day after joining the Senate Democratic leadership, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders signaled Thursday he’s a willing ally if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on a number of promises to working Americans.

“He’s talked about the collapsing working class in America. He’s right,” Sanders said Thursday at a breakfast sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor.

In a roundabout way, Sanders praised the billionaire businessman and expected they could cooperate on campaign pledges to raise the minimum wage to at least $10 an hour, to force big pharmaceutical companies into lower prices for seniors and to preserve Social Security.

“Donald Trump is nobody’s fool. He is a smart guy,” said Sanders, adding that “you are going to see some of us working with him.”

https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/election/article115360103.html

[Cha]

66. Sanders praises Trump's meetings with Kim Jong Un

https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2019/02/26/trump-kim-jong-un-meetings-bernie-sanders-town-hall-sot-vpx.cnn

[NurseJackie]

67. I remember that. Disgusting.

[Cha]

71. Yes, everyone got it.. that it

just more trump BullShit except you know who.

[forklift]

108. Sanders voted against Russian sanctions too

Wonder what the deal is

[Cha]

109. BS couldn't be bothered to vote for the Magnitsky Act..

Link to tweet

[forklift]

110. He conveniently didn't show up

for the Oleg Deripaska bill as well ... stating that he was busy with the sexual harassment meeting all day when he was there barely an hour.

There is something about Bernie and Russia that makes me go hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

52. Excellently put NJ !!!

[Cha]

65. Sanders praises Trump's meetings with Kim Jong Un

https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2019/02/26/trump-kim-jong-un-meetings-bernie-sanders-town-hall-sot-vpx.cnn

[Maru Kitteh]

86. HIGH FIVE Jackie!

[TwilightZone]

20. Working with the other side is how the political world works.

Pretty much everyone in politics understands that.

[Mr Tibbs]

21. And when the other side are fascists who never compromise, ever

What would be the point of it?

[TwilightZone]

22. I don't know - ask your candidate.

https://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/sanders-trump-work-together-231158

[Mr Tibbs]

26. Bernie was very specific, but nice try

[Hassin Bin Sober]

31. Yep.

We’ve already been down the road with candidates on our side who want to “reform entitlements”

We don’t need any “problem solvers” who see social security and Medicare as a problem.



“To the degree that Mr. Trump is serious about pursuing policies that improve the lives of working families in this country, I and other progressives are prepared to work with him," Sanders said. "To the degree that he pursues racist, sexist, xenophobic and anti-environment policies, we will vigorously oppose him."

[Power 2 the People]

34. Thanks HBS

[Garrett78]

38. He was very specifically wrong about what Trump tapped into.

It wasn't economic anxiety.

[Mr Tibbs]

56. He was very specific when he made the statement at hand

"To the degree that he pursues racist, sexist, xenophobic and anti-environment policies, we will vigorously oppose him."

[Garrett78]

96. I'm referring to this statement:

“Donald Trump tapped into the anger of a declining middle class that is sick and tired of establishment economics, establishment politics and the establishment media," the senator said in a statement released Wednesday.

It's the ol' "white working class economic anxiety" narrative that everyone from right wingers to the media to Bernie Sanders to Tim Ryan have been selling ever since 2016.

https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/12/15/16781222/trump-racism-economic-anxiety-study

[TwilightZone]

39. Well, he was completely wrong about why people voted for Trump.

You really should think about what you post before you post it. Your posts argue the opposite of what you think they do rather often. Sanders isn't unique and many of the things you reference about other candidates - as open criticisms, I might add - apply to him as well.

[Mr Tibbs]

57. And the statement at hand is not what the person I replied to said it was

Hence this conversation.

[TwilightZone]

82. Sure, it was.

As I noted, you have a tendency to post things about other candidates that apply equally to yours. It makes you look hypocritical.

Just because you refuse to see it, when you've been given plenty of examples, doesn't mean it isn't there.

Here's another one: your candidate praised Trump's meetings with Kim Jong Un. You OK with that?

You shouldn't be, because that is exactly the kind of action that you are chastising other candidates for. By your logic, Sanders is praising people who protect rapists and kidnap children.

https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2019/02/26/trump-kim-jong-un-meetings-bernie-sanders-town-hall-sot-vpx.cnn

[George II]

83. Really? When did he do that, and in what context?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

53. Fwiw...I was around him a lot in Texas. He is

Definitely very liberal in his heart. Now that he is willing to listen to the other side, like truly listen from the ground up may turn off Dems? I don't know.

[LanternWaste]

165. Lacking any evidence to support it, I'd allege the same...

"I think Beto is about Beto...."

Lacking any objective evidence to support that statement, I'd allege the same if I had no rational arguments.

I'd also be the only one to pretend skateboarding fun is anything other than fun, and hope other people pretend the same thing.

Because without that pretense, we'd have absolutely nothing of substance... just the same old stuff we fling at the wall hoping something sticks.

Good job.

[David__77]

11. I've got no problem with him based on the information I have.

He could be a great, transformative president. I haven't seen anything that seems like a big red flag to me.

[WeekiWater]

12. Lots of similarities to Sanders.

He will get votes based on image alone.

[Awsi Dooger]

14. The differences are not as great as Happy Adjusters prefer to believe

I took that candidate match test the other day, the one that was linked in this forum. The results were identical to prior cycles...a gap of 1% here and 1% there, to the point virtually every Democrat was within a 10% range.

I intentionally listed my scores for every candidate to make that point. For example, Beto was 85% then Harris and Warren 84%, and Klobuchar 82%, etc.

For anyone familiar with mathematical assignment, the distribution was perfectly logical. I paused before hitting the button and envisioned what it would be. The names and ordering on top weren't precisely as I imagined but the gap was absolutely predictable.

However, the subjective day-to-day types would butcher the projection. That is reality, not a dig. They would take wild bizarre estimates and come up with gaps many times the true number. That's why those big picture tests are never as popular as they should be on sites like this. The links always plunge quickly in favor of the latest frantic development, like something Bernie or Kamala said. People don't like numerical assignments on ideology just like they don't like the simple conservative/liberal numbers to categorize specific states.

Bottom line we need to elect somebody. Waking up on the day after election day 2020 the world is headed in one direction or another, depending on whether it's Donald Trump or the Democrat. The identity of that Democrat is basically meaningless as long as it is a Democrat.

However, the electability aspect is hardly equivalent from Democrat to Democrat. We have no gripe if we butcher the handicapping. The country will reject our nominee and there are countless available reference points to figure it out ahead of time. I would be taking it much further regarding specific candidates if this were a balanced site instead of a partisan site where blunt assessments are not always encouraged or welcome. We've got some real sucker choices on the list and Beto is hardly one of them.

[TwilightZone]

28. "Happy Adjusters"

Is that a reference to something specific? It's certainly apropos.

I agree with you on the differences. Some posters (and supporters in the real world) completely overstate the differences between the various Democratic candidates in the race not acknowledging that they all agree on the vast, vast majority of issues. Clinton and Sanders voted the same something like 95% of the time.

As I posted in another thread, it's not like Joe Biden is going to nominate a John Roberts-type SC justice. Any one of the D candidates with a legitimate chance of winning the nomination is going to have similar criteria for the SC, just like they have similar views on the vast majority of issues.

[OilemFirchen]

23. I'm beginning to get this feeling...

that the neo-progressives aren't going to get their pony next year, either.

Awww...

[Cha]

27. lol@neo-progressives..

turn about.

[George II]

84. The increased attacks on him and Biden over the last few days tell me the same thing.

[Demsrule86]

159. I agree...Beto is my second choice.

[George II]

161. I wish we could choose three or four this early. I have it narrowed down to:

O' Rourke
Biden
Harris
Booker

with Klobuchar in there too. There are several that I've already tossed.

[Demsrule86]

162. I will vote for any candidate in a general.

and I like all but three.

[George II]

163. Its not that I don't like some that I've tossed, I just don't think they'd be strong enough...

Last edited Thu Mar 14, 2019, 02:38 PM - Edit history (1)

nationally to win in November 2020.

[Demsrule86]

169. I believe only Beto or Biden can win a general so I won't vote for any others in the primary. Ohio

votes pretty early so we should have some say. I am a woman and after talking to my daughter's fiancé (POC) I came to realize that even in the Black community misogyny exists. He reported how he begged the guys he knew to vote for Hillary but they would not vote for a woman period. I am sad to say there is too much sexism in this country to elect a woman president. I think we might consider a woman VP if say Kamala does well enough. I don't believe either Booker or Castro have momentum...nor Hickenlooper. I want to win the general in 20. My primary vote will be about who can win. I notice- although some haven't- that over 30 of those elected to the house - those who turned Republican seats blue were moderates.

[scheming daemons]

25. *ALL* that matters is whether a candidate can beat Trump.

We are in an existential moment for our Republic. *THIS* is the REAL "Flight 93 Election".


Policy positions are a VERY distant second place behind electability.



Can the person beat Trump? That is really *ALL* that matters.



And Beto has a much better chance of that than Bernie.

[Thekaspervote]

64. +1000

[mr_lebowski]

97. +2000

I'm all about nominating whichever Democrat (within reason ... Gabbard is the only one I've ruled out) seems to have to best chance to win ... PERIOD.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

99. Yes

[femmedem]

29. I enthusiastically supported him for his Senate run

and would again. It would have been glorious for him to defeat Ted Cruz, and it was pretty darn glorious that he came so close.

But he isn't in my top tier for presidential candidates, unless I become convinced that he can defeat Trump and our other candidates can't, which seems unlikely. He's wonderful on immigration policies and civil rights and I appreciate that he can help activate the youth vote, but a candidate has to prioritize reducing green house gas emissions to win my enthusiastic support in a primary. (My current choice is my "if I voted today" choice but I'm really undecided between a number of strong pro-environment, anti-fossil fuel candidates.)

[BannonsLiver]

63. What makes you think Buttigieg can defeat Trump?

I’ll be honest that’s something I’d expect to hear from someone supporting Biden or Harris not someone supporting a mayor, talented as he may be.

[femmedem]

77. At this point I'm not making my choice on electability.

This far out, I'm just indicating who I like, and hoping that he gets a chance to get his voice and message out there. And I'm not firmly in the Buttigieg camp. I've got a few candidates that I like a lot and could see myself voting for in the primary.

[TwilightZone]

92. What I've seen of Pete so far has been very impressive.

Even if he doesn't make the big show this time, his future is very, very promising.

[brandnewday2009]

36. awwwwwwwwwww

poor thing

[RandySF]

37. Isn't Bruenig an active Sanders supporter?

I see similarities between this piece and the attack Dave Sirota launched two months ago.

[dalton99a]

48. Big time.

[emulatorloo]

88. Yes, very similar to Sirota. Pro-Sanders opinion piece writer.

[dalton99a]

98. And Josh Voorhees:

[dlk]

40. Given the Long Duration of the Campaign, There Will Be Sufficient Time to Vet all of the Candidates

Over time, there will be a winnowing. In the meantime, let's take a page from the Republican playbook and stick together.

[LakeArenal]

42. Biden/Beto 2020

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

121. Two white guys? Not sure how well that would be received this time.

[LakeArenal]

129. Not different to me. I'm color blind.

Biden /Beto 2020.

An old white guy and a young white.
It was just brought to my attention.
So no one feel inclined to tell me again because I’ve already been informed.

I don’t know why the white guy stuff isn’t bigotry on DU. But color and age are constantly used against the most qualified person running.

Beto being white should not even be a consideration

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

143. Nobody is color blind.

It will be an issue, like it or not.

[LakeArenal]

154. It's an issue that is based on color.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

140. If it makes people stay home that will suck. Just

Hoping if it happens that people might think they are the people that most voters wanted and the people who have the best chance at beating trump. And race and gender come second.

[jcgoldie]

46. I bet Beto releases his taxes what do you think?

[Pachamama]

133. I think so too....

[Laura PourMeADrink]

141. And bet he pays a higher percentage than Romney

[bigtree]

55. but he was 'born to it'

...

[George II]

69. Why are you posting negative "opinion" pieces about Beto O'Rouke?

[Pachamama]

135. Probably because anybody watching Beto launch his campaign realize that many of the Bernie support

....will start to fade and move to a smart, young man who supports the same issues, moves his arms better and who will release his tax returns?

[George II]

137. One of the biggest knocks I've seen on him is that he's "young and charismatic", like that's bad!

[forklift]

74. The Sanders people will now gang attack

and damage Beto.

Breunig is a Berniesista and doesn't quite have a full deck of cards.

Damaging the eventual Democratic nominees appears to be the real goal here since Sanders could never ever win the primary in a million years.

[awesomerwb1]

78. Will Beto show his taxes??

[George II]

81. I'm sure he will. Why do you ask?

[awesomerwb1]

122. Because I want all the candidates to do the same.

[redstateblues]

79. Getting a whiff of fear in one of the camps

[emulatorloo]

94. Happened with Harris a bit ago, and Biden in the last few days, this is the second time with Beto

It’s getting a little over the top.

[George II]

128. Sadly it's more of just a whiff.

[pamdb]

87. Beto

I will vote for whomever is on the democratic ticket. I like some more than others, sure, and I don’t know who I’ll vote for in the primary. Hell, , we don’t even know who will still be around when the dust settles. Sure, I would like to see a woman on the ticket, but I will vote for the candidate who can get pumpkin head out of the WH whether it’s a man or a woman or a Hispanic or an African American or gay or straight, I just want the WH back.

[lancelyons]

90. Heavily biased. Propaganda. Should be banned.

[workinclasszero]

104. Are you serious?

This piece was published in one of Chicago's major newspapers.

Jeff Bezos, the richest man in the world, in his newspaper the Washington Post published four hit pieces in two days against Bernie after he announced and they were all over the DU with no pleading for the ban hammer so what gives?

Bezos is a big fan of Joe Biden too, go figure.

Just wait till the debates fire up...you think Beto isn't going to be asked about these things?

[awesomerwb1]

131. It could've been published in a Vatican publication

and the context wouldn't change. Beto "uninspiring". Very lame hit piece by berners.

[SFnomad]

93. It's never too early to start the purity tests

Keep this up and you can enjoy tRump until 2025

[Hassler]

95. Anyone aiming at Dems rather than the fat, lying, treasonous racist, is not a Dem.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

102. I don't care. I care about whether he can beat Trump.

This is not a good time to succumb to the narcissism of demanding ideological purity. Whoever can take down Trump has my support, progressive or centrist or socialist, I don’t care.

[forklift]

107. Beto is going to vacuum all the millennials away

Leaving a bunch of grumpy, old, disgruntled, angry men coddling their pitchforks and their torches in frustration.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

115. I think so too. Good bye youth vote. All that will be left are some angry populist

true believers. I can't say that prospect saddens me.

Go liberal Democrats!

[Mike Nelson]

113. Yikes...

… this author lost me at "O’Rourke is plainly uninspiring." Still, I read the piece. The author has some points to argue - but "uninspiring" and plain are not words I'd use to describe Beto!

[MFM008]

114. He will have

To make his positions clear soon.

[Sherman A1]

118. I hope

But these days who really knows.

[OKNancy]

117. The opinion author and her husband are both Socialists so

obviously they would have a negative opinion of Beto... and others who aren't Bernie.

[MyNameGoesHere]

119. How does one imagine a progressive

and how does one get pigeon holed into that group?

[MrsCoffee]

120. My sons and their Bernie supporting friends are ghosting Sanders.

They are all fired up over Beto. They are finally excited about something instead of just agitated and pissed off. Anger only gets you so far. At some point there needs to be some inspiration.

Beto has the it factor that Bernie lacks. Millennials are going to flock to him.

[dalton99a]

124. There was a huge turnout for him in November. The lines were long and full of younger people

In urban areas it was hard to drive one block without seeing a Beto bumper sticker.

[Demsrule86]

160. Mine too.

[forklift]

123. He may not be "pure" by some standards

but he will release his tax returns and not stall.

His staff will not campaign for third party candidates and he will wholeheartedly support the eventual nominee and actively campaign for that person instead of promoting himself.

He will also not be a crybaby and play up a victimization of being cheated out of the nomination after losing by 4 million votes.

[Gothmog]

127. I have met Beto and I really like him

Last edited Thu Mar 14, 2019, 07:44 PM - Edit history (1)

I woke up to see an e-mail from Beto. I got to talk to Beto at the National Convention just briefly. In early 2017, Beto spoke to a small group at a tavern in my county. My son and I got to see Beto up close and he is amazing. I made a couple of rallies and heard him at the state convention. Beto is perhaps the best retail politician that I have seen since President Obama.

I like Beto a great deal and Beto could flip Texas which is a goal that I have been working towards for a very long time. I am still torn between Beto, Biden and Harris but my main goal is anyone but sanders.

Link to tweet

[Peacetrain]

130. I like Beto O'Rourke!!

soooooo... never claimed to be a progressive a day in my life.. I am a liberal.. and he is liberal enough for me.. Still supporting Joe Biden..but I like the guy.. and Kamala Harris.. love her.. so its all good for me

[Pachamama]

132. I see Bernie supporters leaving and moving to be Beto supporters......

Just saying.....

I find him impressive and smart....

If I could put a #2 choice as an icon of a candidate, it would be Beto.....

[yardwork]

145. These are reasonable positions for any candidate to take.

It's easy to bellow "Medicare for all or bust" but it's not a strategic way to get legislation passed.

Beto's positions seem reasonable to me. Achieving universal healthcare is going to be difficult and will require strategy.

[comradebillyboy]

151. He's progressive enough for me.

[Loki Liesmith]

152. Good

He aligns reasonably well with my views.

[grantcart]

178. Exactly

[JustAnotherGen]

155. This isn't ground breaking news

He's said himself he's a capitalist and not a socialist -

And that makes him very very appealing.

[Politicub]

156. Neither is Bernie, though people still support him

He ignores the importance of identity and wants to solve everything with economic justice.

It will take both. Sanders won't be able to pull it off, because he doesn't believe it.

[Demsrule86]

157. I don't want medicare for all. I think trying to pass and implement a bill that takes away

workplace insurance which would be unpopular would get us kicked out of office and we would end up with no healthcare. Beto believes supports universal health care. That is good enough for me. Sherrod Brown who is a solid progressive doesn't think Medicare for all is realistic. Neither do I...lower the age for Medicare and offer a public option.

[Gothmog]

164. I love the fact that both fox news and the sanders supporters are terrified of Beto

The sanders supporters attempted to attack Beto a couple of months ago and those efforts flopped. Now Fox News may have found Beto's weakness

Link to tweet

[JCMach1]

167. Precisely

[MineralMan]

172. And yet, some Sanders supporters will bail to follow Beto.

Which goes to show that it is often not issues that decide people's votes, even with some people who claim to vote on issues. Beto O'Rourke is young, energetic and seems more like the younger voters than Bernie does, so some will leave Bernie to support O'Rourke. That has to be a scary scenario for some people.

Let the attacks begin, I guess.

[stonecutter357]

176. taxes please !

[EricMaundry]

177. The priority is getting Trump out of the White House

The rest of this bullshit is meaningless to me.

If Beto can get us there, then I'm cool with it.

[NBachers]

179. I knew who the poster supported before I even opened the thread.