Beto O’Rourke 2020 campaign megathread

[Sherrod Brown Shill]

I was just listening to Richard Branson's "Dividend Plan" (his alternative idea to a carbon tax)...

Since a Carbon Tax is so unpopular ... "{A dividend on the other hand, Branson argues, would have some key advantages over such a tax: companies would get their money back by investing the dividend in emerging “low carbon fuels and other breakthrough technologies.” They would also open up “millions of new jobs,” making both the public and governments happy through driving fuel prices down and boosting the economy.}"

This would be something good for Beto to support.

Isn't a carbon dividend just a revenue neutral carbon tax, but with payments instead of tax cuts elseware? If we ever do a carbon tax this is probably what it will be.

[Sherrod Brown Shill]

I was just listening to Richard Branson's "Dividend Plan" (his alternative idea to a carbon tax)...

Since a Carbon Tax is so unpopular ... "{A dividend on the other hand, Branson argues, would have some key advantages over such a tax: companies would get their money back by investing the dividend in emerging “low carbon fuels and other breakthrough technologies.” They would also open up “millions of new jobs,” making both the public and governments happy through driving fuel prices down and boosting the economy.}"

This would be something good for Beto to support.

Isn't a carbon dividend just a revenue neutral carbon tax, but with payments instead of tax cuts elseware? If we ever do a carbon tax this is probably what it will be.

I think rather than paying a tax- the companies are required to put that money into fund exploring clean energy (which they maintain control of and which they will receive any dividends that result from this investment)... so its sort of a different way that will be a lot more popular with companies and is a way to increase investment clean energy, etc. ... which is a different take on a carbon tax than the plans that are usually mentioned.

Maybe there are some plans like that but the most notable dividend plan is not that. https://energyinnovationact.org/how-it-works/

[Sherrod Brown Shill]

Sherrod Brown was just on CNN talking positively about Beto (after they had a phone convo yesterday... Beto apparently called him yesterday to discuss several of Brown's policy initiatives on his way to Michigan & I think Ohio).  Brown said they had a good conversation and he liked him (after talking to him... which I think was his first interaction with Beto). 

That was a really smart move calling Sherrod Brown- and getting on his good side... and getting some policy advice from him.

If Beto can get Brown to support, or even endorse him by the time the first couple of debates roll around, it could be the momentum he needs to break out of the pack. The field is so divided that the support of party figures like Senators Brown, Casey, etc could be enough to elevate candidates into a uneasy first place.

I know Brown is viewed as an "electability" type guy, but he's not gonna endorse somebody who voted to weaken the Volcker rule, if anyone.