Beto O'Rourke: Trump's 'racism' leads to violence like El Paso mass shooting

[TexasTowelie]

(CNN) -- Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke called President Donald Trump a racist and said his words can be connected to Saturday's mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, that left at least 20 people dead and more than two dozen injured.

When asked whether online writings believed to be written by the suspected shooter that El Paso police have said they were using as a "nexus to a potential hate crime" could also be linked to Trump's rhetoric against immigrants and racist postings toward four minority congresswomen, O'Rourke paused briefly before answering, "Yes."

"We've had a rise in hate crimes every single one of the last three years during an administration where you've had a president who's called Mexicans 'rapists' and 'criminals,' though Mexican immigrants commit crimes at a far lower rate than those born here in the country," O'Rourke said while speaking to the media after meeting with victims and medical staff at University Medical Center in El Paso. "He is a racist and he stokes racism in this country, and it does not offend our sensibilities, it fundamentally changes the character of this country and it leads to violence."

Trump called the mass shooting an "act of cowardice," and said there "are no reasons or excuses that will ever justify killing innocent people."

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/03/politics/beto-orourke-el-paso-donald-trump-racist-violence/index.html

[efhmc]

1. Thanks for saying out loud what all reasonable people know to be true but few public

figures will say.

[Hav]

2. I love that Beto and Pete are so open about it

It is needed because mincing words just doesn't work. If the President is a racist, call it out. If he is a stochastic terrorist whose actions lead to acts of violence, call it out until everyone understands it.

[Princetonian]

4. Inslee had the cojones to flat out called Chump a white nationalist onstage at the second debate.

And he got rewarded for his boldness with a surge in donations.

This cycle's Democraic candidates are refreshing and are good at standing up to bullies.

[Gothmog]

6. I also love Beto

Link to tweet

[Princetonian]

3. Keep speaking truth to power.

I am glad Texas Democrats have this good man there to voice their thoughts.

[Gothmog]

5. Beto's statement

Link to tweet

[femmedem]

8. Well said. Thanks for posting the video. n/t

[Gothmog]

7. Beto-trump is a white nationalist

Link to tweet

[dalton99a]

9. Great response as to why Trump bears responsibility and is a clear danger.

[Gothmog]

11. Beto and his wife visit the blood bank

Link to tweet

[Gothmog]

10. Beto was on AMJOY

Link to tweet

[oasis]

12. Beto rises to the occasion. He shines in this dark hour. nt

[OldDem65]

13. O'Rourke has had enough of the dumb questions from reporters. Liking this guy more and more

This is what I'm usually thinking when they ask some of these ridiculous questions.

Link to tweet