Democratic Primaries

brooklynite

(94,597 posts) Thu Mar 14, 2019, 06:52 AM Mar 2019

Beto O'Rourke Enters the 2020 Presidential Campaign

Ne York Times

Beto O’Rourke, the 46-year-old former Texas congressman whose near-miss Senate run last year propelled him to Democratic stardom, announced his candidacy for president on Thursday, betting that voters will prize his message of national unity and generational change in a 2020 primary teeming with committed progressives.

His decision jolts an early election season already stuffed with contenders, adding to the mix a relentless campaigner with a small-dollar fund-raising army, the performative instincts of a former punk rocker and a pro-immigrant vision to counteract President Trump’s.

Yet Mr. O’Rourke also comes to the 2020 race with few notable legislative accomplishments after three terms in the House representing El Paso. And in a primary so far defined by big-ticket policy ideas, like the economic agendas of Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, Mr. O’Rourke enters without a signature proposal that might serve as the ideological anchor of his bid.

“This moment of peril produces perhaps the greatest moment of promise for this country and for everyone inside it,’’ Mr. O’Rourke said in a video announcing his candidacy.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

17 replies

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Beto O'Rourke Enters the 2020 Presidential Campaign (Original Post) brooklynite Mar 2019 OP

Early Bird! Cha Mar 2019 #1

I would like to see his agenda Sherman A1 Mar 2019 #2

I think that it is a wise political decision to run. TexasTowelie Mar 2019 #3

I know nothing about what he stands for Charlie G Mar 2019 #4

It's going to be Biden-Beto Otto Lidenbrock Mar 2019 #5

No, it can not be two white guys Charlie G Mar 2019 #7

Another reason: Student debt dalton99a Mar 2019 #9

Good! In It to Win It Mar 2019 #6

Hmmmm TommyCelt Mar 2019 #10

K&R Skidmore Mar 2019 #8

After watching Beto closely I conclude allgood33 Mar 2019 #11

The wall thing is the one Beto plan that concerns me Awsi Dooger Mar 2019 #16

This is the Beto who I got to know in Texas Gothmog Mar 2019 #12

Wow! What a great choice of candidates! California_Republic Mar 2019 #13

I have met Beto in person and I really like him Gothmog Mar 2019 #14

I will give him a close look California_Republic Mar 2019 #15

Yes, general principles that sound good Charlie G Mar 2019 #17

Cha

(297,316 posts)

1. Early Bird!

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Thu Mar 14, 2019, 06:58 AM

Mar 2019

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)

2. I would like to see his agenda

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Thu Mar 14, 2019, 07:16 AM

Mar 2019

Policies, plans and platform.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided

TexasTowelie

(112,249 posts)

3. I think that it is a wise political decision to run.

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Thu Mar 14, 2019, 07:28 AM

Mar 2019

While the likelihood of Beto receiving the nomination is slim, he would definitely compliment nearly every other candidate that is currently in the top tier as a running mate.

Even if he is not elected as President or VP, then it would also set him up as the primary challenger to Greg Abbott in the governor's race in 2022. I think he has a greater chance of beating Abbott in 2022 than he does beating Cornyn in 2020.

I look forward to see his full platform develop and if he is nominated for Preadident, then he will be a strong challenger against Trump.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

Charlie G

(32 posts)

4. I know nothing about what he stands for

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Thu Mar 14, 2019, 07:49 AM

Mar 2019

But that is good. I can read into him anything I want, and so can anyone else. All I want to do is defeat Trump. If not S. Brown, Beto has the best chance to do so. A pretty face who can give lofty speeches that defined principles but make no specific commitments. Nothing that can be attacked as Socialist.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided

Otto Lidenbrock

(581 posts)

5. It's going to be Biden-Beto

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Thu Mar 14, 2019, 08:00 AM

Mar 2019

Running on a sort of compromise ticket about restoring "normality" with Beto taking over the reigns hopefully in 2028 (no way Biden would not run for 4 more years). Can Beto win it on his own in 2020? Maybe but he's not running a crusade against Ted Cruz now, he is running against fellow dems many of whom have a longer record in national politics. It's not a personality contest.

In addition Beto is a rising star and the stigma of possibly losing to Trump would end his hopes of running again imo.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

Charlie G

(32 posts)

7. No, it can not be two white guys

Reply to Otto Lidenbrock (Reply #5)

Thu Mar 14, 2019, 08:18 AM

Mar 2019

As much as I hate identity politics I realize that our ticket must reflect the diversity of our party. Beto and Harris would excite people, yet scare no one away.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided

dalton99a

(81,515 posts)

9. Another reason: Student debt

Reply to Charlie G (Reply #7)

Thu Mar 14, 2019, 09:18 AM

Mar 2019

Student debt is an issue among younger voters. Beto talked about it numerous times during his campaign. Biden played a key role in the bankruptcy "reform" in the Senate.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

In It to Win It

(8,254 posts)

6. Good!

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Thu Mar 14, 2019, 08:14 AM

Mar 2019

Although I think he wasted valuable time, I’m glad he’s in. Personally, I think he would be wasting his time running in any statewide race because I don’t believe Texas is flippable yet.

If he’s not the nominee, he’ll make a great addition as a running mate to whoever the nominee is.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

TommyCelt

(838 posts)

10. Hmmmm

Reply to In It to Win It (Reply #6)

Thu Mar 14, 2019, 09:34 AM

Mar 2019

Harris-O'Rourke

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided

Skidmore

(37,364 posts)

8. K&R

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Thu Mar 14, 2019, 09:10 AM

Mar 2019

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

allgood33

(1,584 posts)

11. After watching Beto closely I conclude

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Thu Mar 14, 2019, 09:39 AM

Mar 2019

he will not help us defeat Trump. I like him but I feel his time is not now. We can run anyone who is agianst Trump's wall but we cannot, successfully run someone who talks about taking down a wall that is already built.

It will take an all out effort to beat Trump. Beto would not be the one who could pull this off. Still favor Biden/Inslee or Biden/Warren or Biden/Harris or Harris/Inslee Inslee/Harris.

Biden/Buttigieg Harris/Buttigieg Inslee/Buttigieg with a new look at Yang.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided

Awsi Dooger

(14,565 posts)

16. The wall thing is the one Beto plan that concerns me

Reply to allgood33 (Reply #11)

Thu Mar 14, 2019, 12:42 PM

Mar 2019

I agree that tearing down an existing wall is not going to play well against Trump. I hope Beto realizes he needs to amend that idea.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

Gothmog

(145,321 posts)

12. This is the Beto who I got to know in Texas

Reply to brooklynite (Original post)

Thu Mar 14, 2019, 09:58 AM

Mar 2019

Link to tweet

?s=20

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

California_Republic

(1,826 posts)

13. Wow! What a great choice of candidates!

Reply to Gothmog (Reply #12)

Thu Mar 14, 2019, 10:37 AM

Mar 2019

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided

Gothmog

(145,321 posts)

14. I have met Beto in person and I really like him

Reply to California_Republic (Reply #13)

Thu Mar 14, 2019, 10:39 AM

Mar 2019

Last edited Thu Mar 14, 2019, 07:39 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.