Beto O’Rourke 2020 campaign megathread

[Sestak]

Anyway, yikes:
https://twitter.com/ddayen/status/1106617741220282368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwca...

>Lazy
>Speak Spanish
>Uneducated


Big yikes.

[Sestak]

Anyway, yikes:
https://twitter.com/ddayen/status/1106617741220282368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwca...

Images from tweet:

[RI]

Beto has so many skeletons in his closet the left won't like if they bother to look.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Beto has so many skeletons in his closet the left won't like if they bother to look.

We bothered to look. While it's sort of cool that he belonged to a hacking group, most of the other things aren't so cool.

[lfromnj]

Ok my question is y tf would he flip flop on healthcare after defending it while running STATEwide in texas and then chooses the opposite in a national D primary.

Seriously! It has really left a bitter taste in my mouth. One of the primary reasons I was for him was because I thought he’d be able to maneuver a general electorate with progressive policies. Of course my vote is almost a year away so I will see what he says on the debates but it’s looking grim for me as a continued supporter. I will not be content with working with Republicans as an answer when they will always be negotiating in bad faith. It’s unacceptable.

Why does Beto absolutely have to do the same as all the other candidates are doing, as in moving further and further to the left?

I dont support universal healthcare but this is just an extremely stupid move in a Democrat primary.

[RI]

Beto has so many skeletons in his closet the left won't like if they bother to look.

We bothered to look. While it's sort of cool that he belonged to a hacking group, most of the other things aren't so cool.

The hacking story is stupid. There are far more meaningful things in his life to care about.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Anyway, yikes:
https://twitter.com/ddayen/status/1106617741220282368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwca...

Images from tweet:

RIP Beto campaign.

[lfromnj]

So he supported gentrification?

NUT

[Xing]

O'Rourke will need a stronger operation and to clearly define his positions if he doesn't want to end up being a "flavor of the month" candidate.

He's not out yet.

And it's not like his Senate campaign pulled every string to perfection. Remember, he seriously underwhelmed against a no-namer Latina in the primaries before even getting to the General.

I'm not saying he's done for, but let's just say that he hasn't gotten off to the strongest start yet. It's still way too early to call him done for, though.

[Progressive Pessimist]

Must I remind everyone that it's extremely early? Beto has plenty of time to work out his stances on issues, some of which I've seen and am fine with. He is the pragmatic sort of politician that I like, even if he is being somewhat overly conciliatory to the GOP.

It's that latter part that worries me.

I'm perfectly willing to support any D candidate moving away from Trump's and the GOP's toxic ideology, even if I disagree with many of their specific policy positions. I understand and accept that I'm very unlikely to get the approaches I would prefer on the military industrial complex, economic inequality, global warming, health care, our growing police state, corporate capture of the government, etc.

But to look at the last ten years and say we need more bipartisanship, or any other nonsense along those lines? Stuff that. I will walk away from the presidential ballot, even if it means letting Trump win, before I will support the dangerous nonsense that Republicans are legitimate participants in our government. The Republicans participate in our democracy in bad faith. Any Dem nominee who does not understand that is worse than useless.

You're not wrong. I'm wondering if Beto simply doesn't want to alienate the relationships he may have made with House Republicans during his time in the House.

[Statilius the Epicurean]

The funny thing is that gritty old Spanish cowboys are actually way cooler than yuppie entrepreneurs.

[LoneStarDem]

O'Rourke should consider starting to become a lobbyist since his political career is OVER forever.

[Panhandle Progressive]

I have a hunch about Beto's strategy for the primaries. He is running as a centrist/moderate (and maybe the only one of significance--IF BIDEN DECLINES) hoping to win over many of the same people that supported Hillary in 2016 and counting on all the progressive/socialist candidates to split that segment of the party across many candidates. In other words, Bernie had his segment of the party all to himself last time, but he won't have this luxury this cycle. Beto may even be able to win over some progressive voters (voting for personality over policy) as well as disillusioned Republicans. If I was forced to wager real $$$ on this outcome, I'd favor Beto for this reason. And double-down on it IF BIDEN DECLINES. #betonbeto

[lfromnj]

The funny thing is that gritty old Spanish cowboys are actually way cooler than yuppie entrepreneurs.

Yuppies contribute more to the economy.

[Jags]

I have a hunch about Beto's strategy for the primaries. He is running as a centrist/moderate (and maybe the only one of significance--IF BIDEN DECLINES) hoping to win over many of the same people that supported Hillary in 2016 and counting on all the progressive/socialist candidates to split that segment of the party across many candidates. In other words, Bernie had his segment of the party all to himself last time, but he won't have this luxury this cycle. Beto may even be able to win over some progressive voters (voting for personality over policy) as well as disillusioned Republicans. If I was forced to wager real $$$ on this outcome, I'd favor Beto for this reason. And double-down on it IF BIDEN DECLINES. #betonbeto

Thats a terrible strategy considering there are only two progressives and about 10 moderates running.

[Panhandle Progressive]

I have a hunch about Beto's strategy for the primaries. He is running as a centrist/moderate (and maybe the only one of significance--IF BIDEN DECLINES) hoping to win over many of the same people that supported Hillary in 2016 and counting on all the progressive/socialist candidates to split that segment of the party across many candidates. In other words, Bernie had his segment of the party all to himself last time, but he won't have this luxury this cycle. Beto may even be able to win over some progressive voters (voting for personality over policy) as well as disillusioned Republicans. If I was forced to wager real $$$ on this outcome, I'd favor Beto for this reason. And double-down on it IF BIDEN DECLINES. #betonbeto

Thats a terrible strategy considering there are only two progressives and about 10 moderates running.

PROGRESSIVES:
Cory Booker
Julian Castro
Kirsten Gillibrand
Kamala Harris
John Hickenlooper
Jay Inslee
Amy Klobuchar
Bernie Sanders
Elizabeth Warren

MODERATES:
Beto O'Rourke
Tulsi Gabbard
Joe Biden (STILL UNDECIDED)

Care to try again?

[Roll Roons]

I have a hunch about Beto's strategy for the primaries. He is running as a centrist/moderate (and maybe the only one of significance--IF BIDEN DECLINES) hoping to win over many of the same people that supported Hillary in 2016 and counting on all the progressive/socialist candidates to split that segment of the party across many candidates. In other words, Bernie had his segment of the party all to himself last time, but he won't have this luxury this cycle. Beto may even be able to win over some progressive voters (voting for personality over policy) as well as disillusioned Republicans. If I was forced to wager real $$$ on this outcome, I'd favor Beto for this reason. And double-down on it IF BIDEN DECLINES. #betonbeto

Thats a terrible strategy considering there are only two progressives and about 10 moderates running.

PROGRESSIVES:
Cory Booker
Julian Castro
Kirsten Gillibrand
Kamala Harris
John Hickenlooper
Jay Inslee
Amy Klobuchar
Bernie Sanders
Elizabeth Warren

MODERATES:
Beto O'Rourke
Tulsi Gabbard
Joe Biden (STILL UNDECIDED)

Care to try again?

Klobuchar and Hickenlooper definitely belong in the moderate category.

[Panhandle Progressive]

I have a hunch about Beto's strategy for the primaries. He is running as a centrist/moderate (and maybe the only one of significance--IF BIDEN DECLINES) hoping to win over many of the same people that supported Hillary in 2016 and counting on all the progressive/socialist candidates to split that segment of the party across many candidates. In other words, Bernie had his segment of the party all to himself last time, but he won't have this luxury this cycle. Beto may even be able to win over some progressive voters (voting for personality over policy) as well as disillusioned Republicans. If I was forced to wager real $$$ on this outcome, I'd favor Beto for this reason. And double-down on it IF BIDEN DECLINES. #betonbeto

Thats a terrible strategy considering there are only two progressives and about 10 moderates running.

PROGRESSIVES:
Cory Booker
Julian Castro
Kirsten Gillibrand
Kamala Harris
John Hickenlooper
Jay Inslee
Amy Klobuchar
Bernie Sanders
Elizabeth Warren

MODERATES:
Beto O'Rourke
Tulsi Gabbard
Joe Biden (STILL UNDECIDED)

Care to try again?

Klobuchar and Hickenlooper definitely belong in the moderate category.

Even if this is true, neither of those two, nor Gabbard pose a threat to Beto's support. The same can't be said to Bernie, or anyone else running in the progressive/socialist wing.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

I have a hunch about Beto's strategy for the primaries. He is running as a centrist/moderate (and maybe the only one of significance--IF BIDEN DECLINES) hoping to win over many of the same people that supported Hillary in 2016 and counting on all the progressive/socialist candidates to split that segment of the party across many candidates. In other words, Bernie had his segment of the party all to himself last time, but he won't have this luxury this cycle. Beto may even be able to win over some progressive voters (voting for personality over policy) as well as disillusioned Republicans. If I was forced to wager real $$$ on this outcome, I'd favor Beto for this reason. And double-down on it IF BIDEN DECLINES. #betonbeto

Thats a terrible strategy considering there are only two progressives and about 10 moderates running.

Imagine unironically thinking everyone not named Bernie or Warren are moderates

There are a few other progressives running, but of the 7 candidates polling more than 1%, those are the only 2 progressives.

[Mr. Smith]

I have a hunch about Beto's strategy for the primaries. He is running as a centrist/moderate (and maybe the only one of significance--IF BIDEN DECLINES) hoping to win over many of the same people that supported Hillary in 2016 and counting on all the progressive/socialist candidates to split that segment of the party across many candidates. In other words, Bernie had his segment of the party all to himself last time, but he won't have this luxury this cycle. Beto may even be able to win over some progressive voters (voting for personality over policy) as well as disillusioned Republicans. If I was forced to wager real $$$ on this outcome, I'd favor Beto for this reason. And double-down on it IF BIDEN DECLINES. #betonbeto

Thats a terrible strategy considering there are only two progressives and about 10 moderates running.

PROGRESSIVES:
Cory Booker
Julian Castro
Kirsten Gillibrand
Kamala Harris
John Hickenlooper
Jay Inslee
Amy Klobuchar
Bernie Sanders
Elizabeth Warren

MODERATES:
Beto O'Rourke
Tulsi Gabbard
Joe Biden (STILL UNDECIDED)

Care to try again?

Actually it's just Bernie and Warren. Maybe Gillibrand and Harris. Possibly Gabbard

The rest are Moderates.

But thanx for playing

[Jags]

I have a hunch about Beto's strategy for the primaries. He is running as a centrist/moderate (and maybe the only one of significance--IF BIDEN DECLINES) hoping to win over many of the same people that supported Hillary in 2016 and counting on all the progressive/socialist candidates to split that segment of the party across many candidates. In other words, Bernie had his segment of the party all to himself last time, but he won't have this luxury this cycle. Beto may even be able to win over some progressive voters (voting for personality over policy) as well as disillusioned Republicans. If I was forced to wager real $$$ on this outcome, I'd favor Beto for this reason. And double-down on it IF BIDEN DECLINES. #betonbeto

Thats a terrible strategy considering there are only two progressives and about 10 moderates running.

Imagine unironically thinking everyone not named Bernie or Warren are moderates

There are a few other progressives running, but of the 7 candidates polling more than 1%, those are the only 2 progressives.

[SCNCmod]

Beto has so many skeletons in his closet the left won't like if they bother to look.

Donald has so many skeletons in his closet the right won't like if they bother to look.

So Bernie & Beto use to write questionable fiction (John Grisham and many others have obviously written much darker content in their past writings... writing fiction about a serial killer involves getting in the mind of hardened criminals etc ... otherwise all crime novels and movies would be autobiographies)... And that Beto was a member of a hacking community... Not really a big deal considering Beto was 15 (and likely high) ... and not sure what age Bernie was, but considering how old he is now... I assume it was many many decades ago.  
I really don't see how either is very relevant today.  One thing everyone seems to agree with is that Beto is a genuinely kind, friendly, empathic guy.  So I don't think a fictional writing from age 15 will have much impact.  

(also- during this hacking & writing time... Beto complains about the Hacking world being too male dominated & helps get a female hacker into some important position? ... and writes things that rail against jewish and racial discrimination).  So another takeaway... at a young age Beto was committed to and cared a lot about women's rights, and anti-discrimination... at a time when neither was as normal for teenagers as it is today.

Compare these child-hood things to Trump's adulthood activities of violating fair-housing via discrimination practices, a sustain media campaign calling for death penalty of minority teens falsely convicted,  actually assaulting women & having affairs with pornstars while his wife was pregnant, etc etc (not to mention many things that are not publicly known... considering he is 72... so there was no internet or social media during his first 46 years of life (which I think is how old Beto is).

And regarding Primary... I'm sure the other frontrunners (Biden, Bernie, Warren, Kamala) will not be too quick to attack Beto for activities when he was 15 and 16 years old.  Everyone of them have a few questionable thing from their earlier past.

[Sestak]

I have a hunch about Beto's strategy for the primaries. He is running as a centrist/moderate (and maybe the only one of significance--IF BIDEN DECLINES) hoping to win over many of the same people that supported Hillary in 2016 and counting on all the progressive/socialist candidates to split that segment of the party across many candidates. In other words, Bernie had his segment of the party all to himself last time, but he won't have this luxury this cycle. Beto may even be able to win over some progressive voters (voting for personality over policy) as well as disillusioned Republicans. If I was forced to wager real $$$ on this outcome, I'd favor Beto for this reason. And double-down on it IF BIDEN DECLINES. #betonbeto

Thats a terrible strategy considering there are only two progressives and about 10 moderates running.

PROGRESSIVES:
Cory Booker
Julian Castro
Kirsten Gillibrand
Kamala Harris
John Hickenlooper
Jay Inslee
Amy Klobuchar
Bernie Sanders
Elizabeth Warren

MODERATES:
Beto O'Rourke
Tulsi Gabbard
Joe Biden (STILL UNDECIDED)

Care to try again?

Uh what

[Beet]

Ok my question is y tf would he flip flop on healthcare after defending it while running STATEwide in texas and then chooses the opposite in a national D primary.

Unfortunately, it's only solidified my suspicion that he never really wanted to be in the Senate and had his eye on the presidency all along. I don't want to harp on it too much because I can't prove it (obviously), but I was confused at why he seemed to be pandering to a national audience during his Senate run, even after he'd gotten national attention, he could have moderated on a few things like the assault weapons ban and picked up more votes.

That's the problem with rewarding losers and (punishing winners like Sherrod Brown by telling them they have to stay in the Senate or a GOP Guv will replace their seat). It creates perverse incentives that you can never really be sure aren't causing harm.

[Grassroots]

Anyway, yikes:
https://twitter.com/ddayen/status/1106617741220282368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwca...

Images from tweet:

RIP Beto campaign.

Um whats wrong with this exactly?