Beto O'Rourke isn't cutting investment in early states, but will spend time differently

[TexasTowelie]

Bryan Smith wasn't looking for Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke when he looked through the window of Trinity Las Americas United Methodist Church in Des Moines on an overcast Wednesday afternoon.

"I was looking for the sun, and Beto showed up," Smith said.

It was Smith's third day on the job running the Children and Family Urban Movement supper club. When he saw the former U.S. representative walking the streets of River Bend, a Des Moines neighborhood, Smith ran out to invite the candidate for dinner.

"We have some food if you want to try some," a volunteer told him when he came in.

"I do, I definitely, definitely do," O'Rourke said. He came in to eat spaghetti, watermelon and vegetables on a blue plastic tray as he talked to CFUM Director of Family and Community Engagement Janelle Mueller and other Iowans having dinner in the church basement.

-snip-

But O'Rourke said that doesn't mean he is giving up on early states such as Iowa and New Hampshire. O'Rourke's state campaign director, Norm Sterzenbach, confirmed Wednesday they are not closing any of their 11 campaign offices or reducing Iowa staff, saying "nothing has changed" about the commitment to the statewide campaign.

Read more: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2019/08/22/beto-orourke-iowa-caucus-election-campaign-2020-des-moines-el-paso-national-democrat-president-knock/2052877001/

[mopinko]

1. he's on a mission now. and it aint the white house.

[bucolic_frolic]

2. I'm sort thinking along those lines too

with nothing to lose, he's free to campaign. I do think his numbers will make a blip at some point, question is how high and how are the other candidates faring at that point. You can't say he's gonna make a run at the nomination, but that is what he has in mind, aside from defeating Trump and saving America. To me Beto is money in the bank, he will contribute turnout and numbers, just like Stacey Abrams and FairFight2020.

All are breathing the same ether and seeing the same problems, this could build a huge wave!

[TexasTowelie]

3. Nonsense.

We picked the correct candidate for president!

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Trying not to get my hopes up too high

Do you think Republicans in Texas are more intent on voting Republican, or more intent on having a Texan in the White House?

[TexasTowelie]

5. Unfortunately, I would put the former over the latter.

And when they do, I'll declare that they should no longer be referred to as Texans. So let it be written, so let it be done.

[bucolic_frolic]

6. Think upon the problem differently ...

A Texan on the ticket would shift a small percentage of Republicans to vote for the Texas Democrat, and a much smaller group to stay home. What might these percentages be?

Beto might improve his showing in 2016 against Ted Cruz. (Man, HE's been silent!)

I don't recall how Dukakis-Bentsen fared in Texas. I know they lost the state, but was it worse than ever, or somewhat less.

These are the clues as I see them. But you know, I'm a lot closer to Philadelphia than Austin.