Beto O’Rourke 2020 campaign megathread

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

John James did better

No he didn't

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

At this point, I really want to see how O'Rourke handles himself in the first few debates.  There are a number of questions that I need answered satisfactorily before I could make him a first or second choice:

1) Does he make it clearer what policies he supports or at least, what his general agenda would be?

2) Can he hold his own against folks like Biden, Warren, etc when policy comes up (I'm sure O'Rourke won't win on policy questions, but he needs to at least show that he can play at this level, if that makes sense)?  

3) Can he convincingly show that he's not a trojan horse for the Seth Moulton crowd?  

4) Does he clarify his views on healthcare and environmental regulations?  

5) Can he show that he's able to thoughtfully address foreign policy issues and does he take a more sensible approach than some of his prior concerning statements about foreign policy (ex: his past statements on providing aid to Ukraine are definitely worrisome)?    

6) Is he able to play offensive hardball when the situation demands it (b/c say what you will about Obama, he sure knew how to go for the jugular when he had to even if he did it with a smile)?

7) Finally, while all politicians inevitably pander some of the time (yes, even Sanders), some of them like Kamala Harris (and even some folks I like such as Kirsten Gillibrand) do so far more than others.  Given that we know less about what O'Rourke believes, I'm less inclined to cut him slack on that, so I'll also be watching to see if he panders more than necessary and to which groups on which issues when policy questions come up.  Is he an empty suit trying to be all things to all people or does he have some clear beliefs other than "marijuana should be completely legalized" (which O'Rourke has always argued)?  

That all being said, I do think O'Rourke brings a lot to the table as a candidate and I certainly could see myself supporting him.  Of course, it's early and there are a number of other candidates I'm also open to.  The only folks I've 100% ruled out supporting in the primaries are John Delaney (he has Seth Moulton-wing written all over him), Tulsi Gabbard (duh), Kamala Harris (she's got a lot of Hillary's problems, has pandered to the anti-Semitic left, and I honestly don't think she can beat Trump), and Cory Booker (corporate shill who has too much of a glass jaw to run against Trump and came off pretty badly during the Kavanaugh hearings).  I'm getting close to ruling out supporting Julian Castro too (empty suit with DLC leanings, the little I've heard from him on foreign policy has been bad, always considered him pretty overhyped, and as superficial as this is...his face kinda creeps me out for some reason, can't quite explain it).  I haven't ruled out Klobaucher completely, but I'm pretty disgusted by how she treats her staff and she's running as too much of a ConservaDem for my liking, so I'd put her in the same category as Castro (not completely ruled out, but highly unlikely that I'll end up voting for her in the primaries).

I'm still open to O'Rourke, Gillibrand, Sanders, Warren, Inslee, Hickenlooper, Buttigieg, Bennet, Biden, Swalwell, and Bullock.  I don't really know anything about Yang, Williamson, or Messam, so I can't comment on them.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

https://twitter.com/reidepstein/status/1106643205309820930



https://twitter.com/NateSilver538/status/1106646562766086145

Ouch

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

There seems to be an interesting disconnect about Beto between the media and Democratic voters.  It seems like he’s being pretty well-received in Iowa and yet the media keeps using story headlines like “Beto O’Rourke’s Apology Tour” to describe his campaign thus far.  Not sure if this will last, but it’s something I’ve observed so far.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

There are already O'Rourke signs around campus, which is, frankly, amazing given how far we are from even the first primaries.

Same with mine.

Its happening.

Several of my friends who were big Sanders supporters back in 2016 appear to have been converted into being Beto supporters. Make of that what you will. Frankly, I was surprised by it.

I'm gradually moving in that direction.  I'm still open to Sanders (and some of the others) though and will almost certainly be undecided until the debates at the earliest.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

I wish Beto had not joined the bandwagon of boycotting AIPAC.  It would have been better to attend and give a speech saying what he thinks (even if disagreeing on many issues).  Especially with the mantra of go everywhere, talk to everyone, not writing off anyone, etc.  (and it could help to lessen the untrue narrative that Beto is weak on policy details).

I also think it would be helpful for Beto to do more interviews (on set and off) with MSNBC & CNN.  After all this is where many primary voters get their news & it would help him control the narrative they are airing (since much of the narrative is unfairly portraying that Beto is weak on understanding policy etc). Especially Morning Shows, where there is a more conversational setting, where viewers would really get exposed to the candidates personality in addition to policies  Such a setting is why, like it or not, going on Morning Joe (especially in person) can have a lot of influence among primary voters.

CBS/NBC/ABC morning shows can also be important in this regard.

-1) Unless I’m missing something (always possible), I don’t think O’Rourke seems particularly anti-Israel so much as he is anti-Netanyahu (which is fine by me).  He hasn’t (AFAIK) expressed support for any anti-Semitic hate groups like BDS, for one thing. 

-2) No one is boycotting AIPAC.  AIPAC made the short-sighted and troubling decision not to invite any of the Democratic Presidential candidates to speak even as they invited Pence and Pompeo (although tbf, Pelosi and Schumer were both invited).

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Hmm, its odd. We are on week 2 of Beto's announcement(week 3 by Thursday), and Beto still hasnt had a polling bounce. Im starting to think his strategy of announcing later than most of the competition may have diminished his possible gains.

He's jumped from like 5-6% to third or fourth place nationally IIRC

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Calling Beto O'Rourke "Robert O'Rourke" is going to be the new version of calling the Democratic Party "the Democrat Party," isn't it? 

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Should I join team Beto or team Bernie? I am undecided between the two. I could see myself being a Bernie bro or a Beto bro.

Why not wait for the debates?  You don't have to decide right away.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

https://twitter.com/patricksvitek/status/1112781526809313280?s=21

This is a really bad idea

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Good for O'Rourke!

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Most Jews support Israel, not the racist demogogue currently serving as its Prime Minister.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Most Jews support Israel, not the racist demogogue currently serving as its Prime Minister.

I'd say they support the idea of Israel, but not what it's becoming.

Again, it's really important for goyem to understand the distinction between Netanyahu and Israel, especially when trying to assess the issue's effect on Jewish-American voters.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

The two most important states in 2020 will be Florida & Wisconsin. Amendment 4 (Voting Rights Restoration) having been passed and now implemented in Florida.

Maybe I spoke too soon. YIKES!

https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2019/03/19/felon-vote-sparks-battle-for-florida-as-gop-moves-to-define-rights-921875

The upcoming s**tshow of 2020.

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/3/25/18277470/amendment-4-florida-felon-voting-rights-fees-legislation

"In a 71-45 vote Wednesday evening, legislators voted to require people with felony records to pay restitution, as well as all court fines and fees — including fees that have been converted to a civil judgment — before regaining their voting rights. " aka a modern POLL TAX

The Florida Legislature approves a bill requiring former felons to pay fines and fees before voting. The bill now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis’s desk.

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/5/3/18528564/amendment-4-florida-felon-voting-rights-fees

Florida voters overwhelmingly approved restoring voting rights to felons who have served their time.  Rick Scott, Ron DeSantis and Republicans are ignoring the voters and continuing to suppress votes, ignoring the mandate of the people. This is outrageous and is a modern-day POLL TAX. Republicans only have a chance in 2020 by CHEATING!

Good for DeSantis!