Just What Does Beto Believe?

[workinclasszero]

The former Texas congressman seems unwilling to place himself on his party’s conventional political spectrum.

By DAVID SIDERS March 04, 2019

EL PASO, Texas — Is Beto O’Rourke the progressive icon who, during his Senate run against Ted Cruz, talked about legalizing marijuana and impeaching Donald Trump? Or is he the centrist Texan who, during his first run for the House, raised the possibility of making Social Security less generous for future retirees?

It might be the biggest question lingering over O’Rourke as he prepares for a likely run for the Democratic presidential nomination: Just what does he believe, actually?

O’Rourke seems unwilling to place himself on his party’s conventional political spectrum. At the final town hall of his congressional career, the last of more than 100 such gatherings he held, O’Rourke was greeted in December at a local high school by cheerleaders, a mariachi band and supporters wearing T-shirts reading “Beto for President.” In response to a question from POLITICO after the event, O’Rourke would not—or could not—answer if he considers himself a progressive Democrat.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I’m just, as you may have seen and heard over the course of the campaign, I’m not big on labels. I don’t get all fired up about party or classifying or defining people based on a label or a group. I’m for everyone.”

https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2019/03/04/beto-o-rourke-progressive-2020-225441

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

1. "I don't get fired up about party"... wow, imagine the fireworks if Bernie said this!!

We'd never hear the end of it!!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[Sherman A1]

2. Precisely

Well Said!

[betsuni]

3. Wow, imagine the fireworks if he had called the Democratic Party "ideologically bankrupt"

and "feeble" and "liberal elites" who don't care about the working class and "The business model ... of the Democratic Party for the last fifteen years or so has been a failure" and on and on. But he wouldn't because those things are not true.

[forklift]

5. +10000 nt

[peggysue2]

11. LOL!!

Yes, imagine that precisely!

As far as what exactly Beto believes or stands for? Well, that's what we'll find out once he enters the race throughout this pre-primary and primary season. We'll find out where all these Democratic candidates stand on the issues and what policy prescriptions they'd suggest for national reform and progress. Also, we'll see how well they stand up to the slings and arrows of what will undoubtedly be a very ugly campaign season. They will show their bona fides and we will judge them on their electability. Because bringing Trump and his enablers down is everything.

Which is the reason I'm still undecided.

[workinclasszero]

7. No kidding, right?

I don't see any outrage here though, go figure.

I sure as hell will not support anyone that's thinking about cutting social security either.

[BannonsLiver]

12. Bernie doesn't need to say it

He’s showed us all quite clearly how he feels about the party and the contempt he has for it. No additional words necessary.

[forklift]

4. Beto rocks!!

But it is primary season so we will see some posting negative stories about him fearing he is the biggest threat to their candidate.

We have seen attacks on Beto before. He will handle them gracefully.

[dsc]

10. It is perfectly reasonable to ask

what the man believes and discuss what he believes. His record in Congress is very conservative, he campaigned hard for GOPer Bill Hurd and against his Democratic opponent for Congress. That is problematic or at least should be.

[BannonsLiver]

13. "Very conservative" "He campaigned hard for Will Hurd"

Oh lort the fake news is getting thick in here.

[shanny]

6. Sounds...undefined.

Maybe even evasive. And maybe he has had to be that, as a D in TX. But if he runs for president he won't be in TX anymore. I for one will need clarification

[Nanjeanne]

8. Anyone who supports means testing for SS or Medicare is a NO for me. Means testing

Turns programs into welfare programs and not earned benefit social programs. It gives Politicians cover for cutting.

Don’t know if Beto still supports means testing but if he does it is a non starter for me.

Will have to see if he gets in what his policies actually are.

[workinclasszero]

9. That would be question number one for me

No one that would cut social security gives a damn about most Americans and is in the pocket of the billionaires regardless of his or her rhetoric.

[msongs]

14. so has beto registered for his next campaign after 2020 as an independent?