Beto O'Rourke in 2012 said the US had an 'extravagant government' that needed 'significant' spending

[brooklynite]

CNN

Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke campaigned during his 2012 congressional race on a platform that called for "significant" spending cuts and tax increases to balance the federal budget, along with possibly changing Social Security to address the United States' "extravagant government" and "out of control" debt.

A CNN KFile review of interviews, debates, newspaper articles and ads from O'Rourke's 2012 race reveals more about his past views and beliefs as he seeks the Democratic nomination in 2020.

O'Rourke at the time endorsed cuts to defense and domestic spending in the middle and long term, along with seriously considering changes to Social Security and tax laws that would do away with some tax breaks. Those past positions are at odds with the current and more progressive liberal base of the party that has largely embraced increased government programs like cost-free college and "Medicare for All."
The deficit and national debt are no longer major parts of O'Rourke's political message, and though sometimes light on specifics, he's signaled support for the Green New Deal and, at times, universal health care coverage -- two proposals that would require increased government spending.

...snip...

O'Rourke raised cutting military spending and bringing troops home from Afghanistan, but also singled out Social Security as an area for reform, specifically citing means-testing and extending the retirement age.

[stonecutter357]

1. I think i'll go with Beto .

[HopeAgain]

2. He's low on my list...

Not progressive enough for me. Thanks for further confirmation.

[crazytown]

3. 2012 - His positions were in line with Obama's

BHO’s ‘balanced approach’ raise taxes cut spending.

[mobeau69]

4. means-testing and extending the retirement age

No. Raise the cap.

[AJT]

5. Means testing will lead to the end of social security.

People who earn more and put more in will resent the people who made less but will get more. Eventually people will vote to get rid of it. Social Security is not supposed to be like welfare.

[mobeau69]

6. That's the plan. Make it welfare first then kill it.