Beto O'Rourke's liberal credentials questioned as he eyes 2020

[Hassin Bin Sober]

Beto O'Rourke's liberal credentials questioned as he eyes 2020

https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2018/12/19/while-some-thought-him-too-left-others-say-beto-orourke-isnt-liberal-enough/2370486002/


AUSTIN, Texas — During this year's Texas Senate race, some home-state Democrats grumbled that Beto O'Rourke wasn't softening his liberal positions enough to finish a near-upset of Ted Cruz.

Now, as the outgoing congressman mulls a 2020 White House run, a small but vocal segment of activists is suggesting he's not liberal enough, arguing he's more about feel-good flash than commitment to values that will excite the party's base.

O'Rourke has long rejected the "progressive" label but also bristles at being called a centrist. He may not be able to steer clear of an ideological lane forever, though, should he commit to entering the potentially packed Democratic presidential primary field.

At issue even as he's still making up his mind are complaints from some liberals that O'Rourke racked up sizable donations from oil industry executives while challenging Cruz, refrained from endorsing federally subsidized debt-free college proposals and shied away from some versions of "Medicare-for-all" health care plans, an idea championed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, another possible early favorite in the 2020 race.

[nycbos]

1. Translation

A small number of Sanders supporters are throwing a temper tantrum because they know Beto is way for charismatic and he will make Bernie look like the grumpy old man that he is.


For the record I never bought into the Beto hype in 2018 because I didn't think he had a chance.

[Cha]

2. They certainly showed their desperation about Beto

at BS' The Gathering.

[PhrankT]

3. How many times is this story going to be posted?

Is there a rule here about that?

It's beginning to feel like harrassment, in a creepy way.

[JustAnotherGen]

10. Until Sanders loses the nomination

And then if Beto wins it AND loses the presidency - It will go through another round of posting.

Eh - it's just pushing me towards him.

[PhrankT]

13. I like BETO & Respect his very progressively managed campaign

I too feel I'm being pushed more towards him, just as you say.

[MineralMan]

4. How many copies of this do we need to see today?

I saw your comments in another thread about this from this morning. What didn't you say then? Oh, well, I guess it's time to start going after potential Democratic candidates already. That's really sad, given the news we're hearing today.

Nice...

[PhrankT]

7. Wow, you're right. This one?

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211570827

[Autumn]

9. About as many times as we hear that Bernie supporters are afraid of Beto?

I quit counting at 6.. from the same person.

[MineralMan]

12. I'll tell you. I have no favorite for 2020.

I'm not even thinking about 2020 at this point. I'm trying to figure out what we can do in 2019 with a Democratic House. I'm trying to see if there's a way to get Trump out of the People's House in DC.

It's not time for GD yet. Not even freaking close, but here we are. I'm not going to play, but I wanted to point out that it's too damned early to start trashing possible candidates. Way too early.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

21. Have you heard? Bernie Sanders supporters are afraid of Beto!

[Autumn]

22. I know!! Beto is scary! We are all terrified and Bernie looks like he's aged to 70 overnight!

Link to tweet

[msongs]

5. there may be those who view him as their new messiah come to save us from...

other democrats lol

[PhrankT]

11. Not other Democrats, other fringe.

There's the difference,

[Cha]

6. Beto is more "progressive" than Gabbard and Kamala

is more progressive than..

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[PhrankT]

8. Thank You. Next?

[Eric J in MN]

14. Beto O'Rourke anti-environmental votes

- end the oil export ban

- drill in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico

- speed import/export of natural gas

- protect companies which start forest fires

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/dec/20/beto-orourke-congressional-votes-analysis-capital-and-main

[ismnotwasm]

15. I don't even like Beto for a presidential candidate

and Bernie is a almost no-starter. He’s not going to get the nomination, but it will be interesting how far he makes it.

Why all the slams against Beto, I wonder? He’s left-center liberal from Texas. He’s done a good job from all I’ve read.

[Bucky]

20. He was an okay Congressperson. He was a GREAT candidate.

Dude can talk off the cuff like nobody's business. Truly an inspirational thinker. He might well be superqualified for VP, a modern day Joe Biden, if you will. I'm still looking at him as possible for the top nomination.

[elocs]

16. I'll take Beto as an actual Democrat over Sanders who is not one,

who prefers to use the party when it suits him but won't join it so he can call himself an outsider.

The BoBs are worried about the fresh, new faces on the horizon and so they must promote their smear campaigns under the guise of 'just informing us'.

[thesquanderer]

24. Forget their names and just look at their positions and their votes

and you may find yourself surprised at who you agree with more often, who better represents your ideals.

[QC]

17. MEANIE!!!

[Cha]

23. ...

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[mcar]

18. Yawn

[Bucky]

19. "sizeable donations from oil executives"

Does this writer have any idea what state Beto was running in?

You can be damn sure O'Rourke wouldn't've gotten any donations from oil company pacs. But there are shitloads of liberals working for the oil & gas industry. And moderates who just plain ol' loathe Ted Cruz. They get to write checks too. It's not the same as industry support.