Jesus H. Can you ALL just give us in Texas an hour to mourn ?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

Those of us who worked our butt off for Beto?

We sat through them saying he was behind and that there were tons of votes in El Paso and Harris. Only to hear them calling it for Black Cloud Most Hated.

If I see Debbie Downer one more time I will scream louder than when they called it.

Tears to the nth power here.

[Wintryjade]

1. Beto kicked ass and came so very very close in a really unlikely race. It is a hard loss.

This was the miracle I was pulling for. All the hard worked earned a win for our youth in Texas, imo.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

10. Sorry not ready for the bright side. A decent, intelligent,

Energetic person just lost to a horrid human who will be in office for 6 more f'n years.

Texas had a shot at turning toward the light. And not be the brunt of jokes.

[Wintryjade]

11. I agree. I have one that put a lot of sweat and tears into Beto the last 6 months.

I have been on twitter with him most of the day and especially the last half hour.. He has been sporting his Beto shirt all day, with excitement and real high hope. Excitement and enthusiasm of youth. I agree with you. It is a tough one.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

24. Tears.

[Wintryjade]

25. Right. That.

[vlyons]

76. Hang in there Laura

Take a few deep breaths. Go outside and enjoy the autumn colors. Spend some time loving your pet. Get your emotional balance back. One of the 6 perfections of a Boddhisattva is enthusiastic perseverance. Tomorrow is another day.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

79. My dog who was my 12 year companion died 44 days ago.

But get your point.

[California_Republic]

2. So sorry

I’m so proud of what he did. He affected other races. The are crediting Beto for the Pete Session lose.

[Autumn]

3. This was crushing. I'm so sorry

[GaYellowDawg]

4. You're no worse off than Tennessee.

Cruz isn't one bit worse than Marsha Blackburn. At least you didn't get your ass kicked like we did in Tennessee.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

13. I hear ya. Tenessee. And Florida. My heart goes out

To all the candidates and all the Dem volunteers

[GaYellowDawg]

16. Hey...

Thank you SO MUCH for your work. You've done such an outstanding job. You have every right to hold your head high in pride. And while your energy and effort didn't win the race you wanted the most, you definitely had a downstream effect that will make your state and your country better. I salute you!

[susanna]

61. What GaYellowDawg says from me, too.

Hold your head up. You fought and you fought hard. I am so sorry for the loss, and I know it hurts.

I hope you know that you all fostered a real and appreciable sense of hope for so many watching from afar. I was awestruck here in Michigan, and I was cheering you on every day.

Thank you so much for your perseverance and your passion. That is what changes the world, bit by bit.

[Jane Austin]

69. All the volunteers were wonderful!

The Austin headquarters was full and still going strong at five minutes until 7 pm!

I've never worked with a better bunch of people.

[Wintryjade]

14. Or the bigoted ass in Florida.

[redstateblues]

33. Ain't that the truth. It hurt us just as much.

[peggysue2]

43. Tennessee was a shocker.

I mean really, frigging Marsha Blackburn? And the spread was devastating after all the excitement of the early vote and the surge in young voters and women. I saw the surge for myself. The conclusion is inexplicable.

But I would have traded that loss for a win in Texas. Beto O'Rourke is a candidate that really inspired people to imagine something better than what we're seeing and experiencing now, expect and demand better of those seeking power. That dream isn't dead; it's been put on a temporary pause, a moment to take a breath, regroup and then fight another day. Because O'Rourke ignited something in his supporters, something they won't forget. We can reach to the better part of ourselves, as human beings, as Americans. That's a goal we can meet, must meet. I suspect we'll hear more from Beto O'Rourke on the national stage. He's made an indelible mark.

Florida and Georgia results were disappointing, unexpected and I can't help feel the end notes were manipulated by the power structure to Republican advantage.

But at least we won the House. And now the hard work really begins.

[LeftInTX]

44. At least Marsha is better looking than Ted Cruz

[peggysue2]

47. But that voice!

I'm glad I'm moving next year. Don't think I could tolerate the screechy lies for 6 long years. And I mean she lied her face off during the entire campaign.

Ugh!

As for Cruz? He's a reptile pretending to be a man. Anything looks better.

[Jane Austin]

66. Republicans must like liars.

They sure voted for a lot of them today.

[peggysue2]

77. They have the perfect example . . .

to follow with the Liar-in-Chief squatting in the WH.

Ugh.

[Codeine]

5. You guys kicked ass.

The future looks bright in Texas.

[deurbano]

6. SO sorry! Thank you for all your hard work! He's inspired the whole country, and I sent a little

money his way from California. Really disappointing... but I have a feeling you will be working hard for him again, some time very soon, and this time, he'll bring it all the way home. Again, thank you and I'm sorry.

[andym]

7. You all did a great job and I hope Beto runs for Presdident.

He's inspirational.

[monmouth4]

8. Beto is a star, you haven't seen or heard the last of him..I am sorry though but right now I grieve

for Andrew Gillum, another one who should have won.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

18. Holy shit...me too. Truly good people..how devastating...saw

Gillum and his wife this morning. Up 3 in Florida. They seemed so calm and happy.

We needed him so bad. The Florida fix was in.

[bdamomma]

42. Maybe

someday they could meet up together. Both would do great things in our country.

[mcar]

9. This Floridian feels your pain, Laura

[Laura PourMeADrink]

19. So sorry. You've had it worst than me. What is

Happening? How can so many be ahead in polls only to lose?

[cwydro]

73. 2016 taught me not to believe in polls.

Surprised so many here do.

[mcar]

74. Here? Racism, pure and simple

[Laura PourMeADrink]

81. Yeah. As evidenced by that gap between

Nelson and Gillum.

[mcar]

83. Yep. And it explains the polls, I think

People wouldn't admit they weren't going to vote for the black guy.

[TexasBushwhacker]

12. I don't know why they are so quick to call it

40% still need to report and the margin is only 3%.

The good news is that Cruz won by a 16% margin in 2012.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

21. Did MSNBC call it? I am a John King fan. Agree

We thought surely with only Harris and El Paso out...

[TexasBushwhacker]

30. I'm on the CNN website

They have Harris County (Houston) with only 46% in as of 11:21 EST. Harris County had 9 precincts that had to stay open til 8 pm because they were ready to open this morning on time. Dallas and San Antonio still have a ways to go too.

On the bright side, it looks like Culberson has been defeated by Lizzie Fletcher.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

36. So why'd they call it?

[TexasBushwhacker]

40. The have models

Cruz has been up by more than 200K for 2 - 3 hours. Just no making that up. The good news is that voter turnout was MORE THAN DOUBLE (over 8 million) the 2014 mid term election and roughly equal to 2016. There will be no going back. Texas is officially in play.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

45. Oh shit Nunez won ? Jeez...bad news keeps on coming.

[Mr.Bill]

60. On the bright side,

he will no longer be a committee chairman.

[Marie Marie]

15. I am mourning with you.

Beto would have been an awesome win, for us all - and I live in PA. Thank you for all your hard work. I think it won't be wasted as we will be seeing more of this great man.

[blogslut]

17. I am a Texas Democrat. My heart has been broken before.

I'm not mourning.

Beto O'Rourke
Justin Nelson
Mike Collier

ALL THREE got within single-digit percentages of winning. This is extraordinary compared to the virtually lifeless TX Democratic party of 2004, when I first joined DU.

The beast has awakened.

[dalton99a]

48. It is a huge improvement.

[bullwinkle428]

20. Beto was a incredible candidate, and clearly, tons of great people busted their asses to help

get him elected. I'm very sorry you happened to be outnumbered by assholes this time around.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

23. Thanks B. State and country lost.

[nolabear]

22. I'm so sorry. But you know Beto did incredible good.

He’s not there yet, but the whole country fell in love with him and through him I got to get a look at Texas that I’m not used to. His supporters are wonderful! You are wonderful.

So be sad, but don’t lose heart. Beto is the future.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

31. Thanks NB. You always rock. Oh shit we just lost

Missouri

Saddest day ever

[Jane Austin]

67. At the very least, Beto showed us all

how to answer a fucking question.

Republicans can't do it because if they told people what they'd really do, no one would vote for them.

Democrats need to start practicing how to answer like Beto.

[regnaD kciN]

26. Not from Texas, but I share your sadness...

I really hoped he would become the next Obama.

[redwitch]

27. Laura I am so desperately sorry.

I feel almost as bad as I did in 2016.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

37. Maybe when we wake it will all be a bad dream

[AlexSFCA]

28. The race that broke my heart tonight

We are loaing seats in the senate (not a blue wave) but if Beto would have won, I’d feel like a winner. I am happy we are winning the house but it’s bittersweet with Beto’s loss. The most inspiring political figure since Obama. I wish he’d anniunce right away that he’ll be running for prez in 2020 to keep all his momentum and supporters to continue working immidiately. Trump’s 2020 campaign is in full swing. Beto may in fact win Texas in 2020 and all of the swing states, and maybe turn Georgia blue and he will certainly win FL.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

34. Not ready to pull my boot straps up. I do agree

though...was thinking I'd be happy to win house and get rid of Cruz.

[Jane Austin]

68. I'd like to see him spend the next two years

Really studying and immersing himself in foreign policy.

Then he should travel abroad and make friends there.

Perhaps teaching a semester at the LBJ school would also enhance his resume.

Then . . . look out world!

[gay texan]

29. Laura, I'm there with you

But Texas did good tonight. This ain't the last we've seen of beto

[potone]

32. I am so very sorry for all of you.

And for all the rest of us, too. I was really hoping that Beto would win, not just because he seems like a great guy, but also because Ted Cruz is so unbelievably horrible. I can't stand that man! So yes, a lot of us outside of Texas are grieving with you. Sending a hug.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

35. State and country need hug. Jesus now my home

State CT may go with a republican governor.

Time to go to sleep and hope this is just a bad dream.

[Meowmee]

38. So sorry

Hugs to you all who worked for him. I donated to him, I think he is great. He did an amazing job coming very close. We are listening to his speech and thinking what a great person he is.

[smirkymonkey]

39. This MA resident is heartbroken as well. I am so sorry for you and your fellow Texas

Democrats. I was rooting for Beto more than I was for people in my own state (who didn't have much of a challenge). This is just one battle. Beto will rise again!

[Wounded Bear]

41. Tough loss with Beto...

but looks like you flipped a couple of House seats, right?



Don't lose heart. We're still with you.

[TXN in WA]

46. Beyond crushed and devastated

I totally feel you. He was simply too good for Texas. We need his leadership desperately but unfortunately most of our fellow citizens didn't appreciate his numerous good qualities. I feel such shame and embarrassment over this loss 😭

[JCMach1]

49. Transplanted Texan orig from Florida

disappointment is how I roll...

[cry baby]

50. I'm with you!

I feel sick.

[Firebrand Gary]

51. Beto for President 2020 is what I see!

[dalton99a]

52. I'd vote for him.

[mchill]

55. Lincoln and first Bush lost their Congressional runs then became POTUS

[dflprincess]

53. I was at a gathering tonight for my Congressional District here in Minnesota

we managed to flip the district (or the candidate & his incredible team did) but, amid all our celebrating, when the Texas race was called the crowd reaction was as though we had lost our own race. Lots of groans, lots of swearing.

Beto ran a great campaign and even if we can't quite feel the same pain you do right now, many of us have been where you are now (more times than I care to remember) and we are all disappointed.

[3catwoman3]

54. Besides my local races here in Illinois, this was...

...the one I most wanted.

I grieve with you.

Fuck Ted Cruz.

[gay texan]

56. let me just add

That Beto did the impossible: He has engaged the younger generation in our political process. Beto has awoken a monster that the GOP will never be able to control

Beto quite literally did the impossible

[dalton99a]

58. +1. His candidacy helped every Democrat in Texas and produced a phenomenal turnout at the polls

[Rizen]

57. It was a win too.

He made republicans divert funds from other races to spend in Texas, which should be a sure thing for them. He also shortened the gap in lower level local races.

[Jane Austin]

71. That's a very good point.

I met some of those young people and they were totally engaged.

Maybe they'll keep voting.

[AllyCat]

59. He's a great guy. I think we will see more of him!!

[flotsam]

62. Walk Proud

The fucking Alamo was a rout-Beto and all of you democrats damn near won EVEN when outnumbered! Because of passion and hard work and a candidate who is decades from done. Lick your wounds, down a shot, get some sleep and arise tomorrow.

[oldtime dfl_er]

63. I feel your pain

As an oldtime liberal Dem I have lived through a lot more losses than wins, a lot more pain than joy. It never gets easier. I gave what I could to Beto's campaign, and I will give again when he runs for President in 2020. He gave notice to a grateful nation that there is still hope, and for that I cannot thank him and everyone who worked for him, nearly enough.

[kaotikross]

64. Cruz is a turd with money holding him to the seat like tentacles

Not the money he raised during the campaign but the money his good ol boy network would have lost had he been beaten. I think the only reason he pulled through is it's believed he hates trump and trump him.

[pioche4]

65. Beto was the better candidate. What a beautiful win it could have been....But Wow!!!

What he and all accomplished! So awesome! He's not going away, and is truly a rock star in politics now...

[Cha]

70. So Sorry..

[phleshdef]

72. Beto might possibly be the future of the Democratic party.

[Ilsa]

75. I feel for you.

It was so close. And TX almost had a D senator for the first time in 25 years.

This election proved that texas is getting into purple area, though.

I bet it's not the last we've seen of Beto.

[Timshel]

78. I'm in Leander

Hi there, in Leander just north of Austin. Volunteered for the campaign for the last 6 months and opened my home as a pop up office for the last two weeks. Held a party last night for all the volunteers that came through our doors....tears all around. Just devastated. 😞 Hugs.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

80. Oh...very empathetic! Did you go to the Beto

Willie rally in Austin? That was when I first started thinking we had a real chance. It really sucked seeing him ahead all night. He was the most perfect candidate. It's hard to imagine anyone else who could get so close now. That's what's so depressing. Texas had a golden opportunity.

[Timshel]

84. Yes!

I didn’t go to the rally, but I really wanted to... the turnout was EPIC. He’s such a treasure, and I hope he’s now in the national spotlight. ❤️

[2naSalit]

82. I'm mourning with you!

I really wanted the evil beast to be ousted. he's just another snewtgingrinch, slimy and hateful... a danger to democracy.

[Pacifist Patriot]

85. I'm with you.

Florida here.