Why am I all of a sudden...

[lillypaddle]

feeling like Beto is a light weight? Man, he's getting the crowds, and early on I was smitten, but now I feel as though he is a lot of surface without much below. Anyone else feeling this way?

[PubliusEnigma]

1. Nope.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. What Publius Enigma said.

[vlyons]

2. I lost interest in him, when

I learned that he called for raising eligibilty age for social security. We need to lower the age to 60 and raise the contribution caps for rich people.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/03/beto-orourke-supported-entitlement-reforms/585175/

[lillypaddle]

3. You've got my vote

[Ruby the Liberal]

41. Agree on all counts

And it surprised me to hear him say that. I would have expected a more common sense approach from someone from West Texas. Most folks don't sit behind a desk and yap on the phone all day like our lawmakers who want to keep us on the clock until we are 80.

[vlyons]

44. They spend their

dialing for dollars

[elfin]

4. Maybe you read the Vanity Fair article?

After reading it, I felt he did not have a substance-filled agenda comparable to other candidates nor a brain trust list of advisers. Unlike Obama in '08.

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/03/beto-orourke-cover-story

[Autumn]

6. Yeah, that was one of the things that helped me get over him. nt

[lillypaddle]

9. Thanks for the link

bookmarked for later.

[demmiblue]

11. That article is illuminating.

It seems like he has some sort of void he needs to fill.

[Tipperary]

30. Exactly. The Vanity Fair article was interesting.

He wanted to demolish a poor neighborhood to build a Walmart.

[democratisphere]

7. All hat and no cattle.

Maybe someday after he accomplishes something of substance.

[Freddie]

28. Agree

POTUS is not for “learning on the job” (present one a supreme example) and I would prefer a Senator or Governor as candidate.

[Sherman A1]

8. I haven't seen anything with regard to him

that I find impressive or would cause me to change my preferences at this point.

[seaglass]

10. I don't think there is anything wrong with changing opinion as time goes on and more info is

available. Who knows, it's possible to move back.

I went from Klobuchar near the top and donated to both Beto and Buttigieg - both strategic donations.

Now I've donated to Warren and Harris is also near the top for me.

Klobuchar, Beto and Buttigieg have moved way down - just above Sanders, Biden, Gabbard, Yang and Williamson.

Have not even looked at Inslee and Hickenlooper yet.

Booker, Castor and Gillibrand are also options.

Did I leave anyone out?
I am pleased that we have so many good choices and hope they can all (mostly) stay in at least to the debates.

[jalan48]

12. I've felt this way from the beginning.

[BlueStater]

13. I see him as being light on substance myself.

It's easy to look appealing when you're running against someone as unlikable as Ted Cruz. Will he look as good standing on a debate stage with a dozen other candidates?

[peggysue2]

14. Beto O'Rourke brings the 'It' factor

We may not like it. We may think it's foolish but O'Rourke has that spark that draws people to him. On many levels he does remind me of 2008 candidate Barack Obama, who as I recall was also thin in resume and policy data. Yet, the man swept the country off it's feet.

I don't know how far O'Rourke will go in the process. The debates will definitely thin the herd. But I certainly wouldn't count him out because he's demonstrated his ability to catch lightening in a bottle. He does that on a national scale? He'll win.

[marylandblue]

15. Beto does have the It factor, but IMO Buttigieg has it more.

Buttigieg has both charisma and substance.

[Amimnoch]

19. No argument there, but IA vs TX.

Buttigieg may very well put Indiana into play, but with only 6 Electoral college votes, it would still require at least 2 other battleground states to be won.

Texas alone with 38 electoral votes would guarantee tRumpublicon loss, and Democratic Party win.

Texas is the only state from 2016 that, alone, without any other state changing, would have flipped the election results.

[Trenzalore]

21. While I'm optimistic for 2020

I don't believe Texas is in play this time around.

[marylandblue]

24. I don't know if either can carry their home states

Last edited Sun Mar 31, 2019, 04:33 PM - Edit history (1)

But I do thunk some kind of realignment is possible and we may be pleasantly surprised at what states we do carry.

[Quixote1818]

37. Agree. nt

[lillypaddle]

18. He has charisma galore

no doubt about it - but after trump, I am really hoping we have someone of real substance to get this country on a path of recovery and healing. I'm not saying he can't do that, but I'd really like to see more than charisma from him.

[True Blue American]

53. I agree we need experience in the WhiteHouse and Senate

Good experience.

[doc03]

77. I can't see this charisma thing, it irritates

me to watch him with the bouncing on each word and the hand gestures. He is as bad as Trump with that.

[lillypaddle]

78. Gotcha

It gets old fast.

[susanr516]

46. I agree

I've volunteered in grassroots level GOTV activities in south TX for about 35 years. In 2018, I assisted with one of Beto's town hall meetings in my city. The response absolutely overwhelmed the venue. I ended up outside, encouraging those who could not get in (by order of the fire marshal) to listen on Facebook Live. These weren't people who attended political rallies, or who voted in primaries. These were people who sometimes didn't even vote in midterm elections, if at all. They came because Beto was optimistic. He had a positive message. He didn't take a penny of PAC money, not even from organized labor and liberal PACs. He took questions. He listened. He gave them the sense that voting could actually make a difference in their lives. Although Beto fell short, voter turnout was up 18% over 2014.

I really wanted Beto to run for Senate against Cornyn. I admit I'm selfish. I'd love to do local GOTV in TX with Beto as our Senate candidate. However, if he could inspire those people who didn't bother to vote in 2016 to turn out, I'd be thrilled to see him as our candidate for President. I'm truly undecided right now. I just want to make damn sure Trump is voted out in Nov. 2020. I don't think we can peel off too many Republican voters. I believe our best shot is to pick up voters who weren't motivated enough to vote in 2016. Beto proved he could do that in TX. Would he be able to do that on a national level? I don't know.

[BadGimp]

16. Ah No.

[Amimnoch]

17. The only one who can bring us a 1 state flip win.

Senate and house will draft the bills that make laws, not the POTUS.

Beto, and any of our candidates will select great cabinet and department appointments.
Beto, and any of our candidates will make great judicial appointments.
Beto, and any of our candidates will pass any legislation a Democratic Party Senate and House pushes through.
Beto, and any of our candidates will Veto anything Republican agenda that gets pushed through.

Only Beto brings to the table a state that, if flipped, we win back the presidency. Even if not flipped, he has the same chance of winning the traditional battleground states as the rest of our pack, but will force Cheetolini, the RNC, and their well funded super PAC’s to divert a crapload of $$ from the traditional battlegrounds to try to keep Texas.

We can win with or without Texas. The Republicans can’t win without Texas. Beto’s the only on that puts Texas into play.

Enough for me.

[BlueFlorida]

23. +1000 nt

[SKKY]

20. What I need in a President is someone with good judgement, who shares my values, and who can...

...select the right people to enact an agenda that concurs with both of those. And while I obviously have gone all in on Kamala, I have yet to hear anything that would NOT allow me to vote for any of the candidates who have declared thus far. While he was out "finding himself", I would have liked Beto to have formulated some ideas and specifics about what he wants to achieve, but he'll get there. It's still early.

[BlueFlorida]

22. Beto is intelligent, charismatic and articulate

His proposals are well thought out and not just unicorns, pixie dust and free stuff. Every one of his proposals has a detailed policy behind it.

[Tarheel_Dem]

25. You're feeling that because that seems to be the media narrative about Beto. I disagree. nt

[katmondoo]

26. I am trying with Beto but just not there yet

[lillypaddle]

29. Really?

You can't believe I came to those thoughts through my own accord?

[sfwriter]

27. Yup.

My wife and I pulled up a bunch of his youtube videos and just didn't feel it. We've been trying to decide where to send our meager contributions. Plus, why does he want to be president? The quote in Vanity Faire that he "was born" for this moment strikes me as amazing hubris.

Right now we are impressed by Buttigieg, will always support Warren, and like Kamala Harris as an establishment choice.

[sweetroxie]

31. I agree completely

He has a charm, but there is not much underneath. I'm also suspicious of those who think they are "called" to the office.

[RLG]

32. He's a lightweight?

Maybe we were watching different rallies, but I heard substantial things said from him.

It's amazing how people's perceptions are of certain people. Simply amazing.

[lillypaddle]

33. Guess I was comparing him to Liz Warren

who has put down one hard policy after another
and Kamala who just seems more the grown up.
I'm not counting him out yet. I just want to see more. Maybe I will get there with Beto.

[LAS14]

34. Yes, but I'm willing to wait to make a final decision about him. nt

[Gothmog]

35. Beto is no lightweight

Link to tweet

?s=20

[RLG]

39. Tell this to the supporters of other candidates, including supporters of one who I won't mention.

It's very sad that this meme is going around without people doing their homework.

[Gothmog]

65. From the Washington Post

Beto is no light weight

Link to tweet

Second, O’Rourke has adamantly refused to get sucked into the leftward scramble on issues such as health care. He’s supporting a House plan that unlike Sen. Bernie Sanders’s (I-Vt.) Medicare-for-all wouldn’t outlaw private insurance. As CNN reported, O’Rourke told an audience in New Hampshire in late March, “What it says is, if you like your employer-sponsored insurance, you like the network that you’re in, you like the doctors that you can see, you’re happy with that, you can keep it. If you do not like your employer-based insurance and want to enroll in Medicare, you can. If you have no insurance whatsoever or if you are underinsured today, you can enroll in Medicare as well.” That sort of plan is a whole lot more popular than Sanders’s single-payer plan and it’s cheaper, too.

Third, what little he has said about foreign policy sounds reasonable. Every Democrat is going to promise to end long wars. However, he sounded cognizant of the need for U.S. international leadership. He explained in his El Paso kickoff rally Saturday that to achieve goals such as reversing climate change, the United States must “once again reassert our role on the world stage.” He then outlined a very traditional, responsible foreign policy vision

[W]e’ve got to strengthen these historic friendships and alliances, so many of them forged in sacrifice. The service of men and women who put their lives on the line and lost their lives to this country, let’s make sure that that sacrifice was not squandered. Let’s make sure that we strengthen those alliances. Let’s end these love affairs with dictators and strongmen all over the world. Let’s earn, let’s earn the respect of the people around the world, not just by how we treat those in other countries, but how we treat those within our country, and how we treat those who are at the border of our country. If we do that, we can make sure that we once again become the indispensable nation convening the other nations of this planet around some of our shared challenges like climate change, like nuclear disarmament, like ending all of these wars that we are currently engaged in, we can do for ourselves what no other country can.

In other words, democracy and our strategic needs go hand in hand. Retreating from the world, as those on the right and the far-left appear to want, won’t solve our problems. If O’Rourke can talk sense to voters and use his perch to make a case for responsible internationalism, he’ll do his party and the country a favor.

[delisen]

54. Unfortunately the Senate will still be Republican

and the Supreme Court will be where it is now or more Republican.

Just don't believe an O'rourke will suddenly rip off his street clothes and reveal himself as Superman if elected.

Goals do not equal results.

[Quixote1818]

36. Not a lightweight but I don't think he stands out now. nt

[Wounded Bear]

38. The hype around him kind of bothers me...

I don't want a "celebrity" presidential candidate.

He says he's "listening" before he sets his agenda and platform, but frankly I think he should have some ideas to run on.

[lostnfound]

40. I really wanted to see him in the Senate. Nt

[WeekiWater]

42. Not sure there is suppose to be all that more.

An inspirational leader can move mountains using the people around them. Is that who he is? Not sure yet.

[Ruby the Liberal]

43. Very disappointed he didn't go for Cornyn's seat

We desperately need to shore up the Senate.

I like him - alot - and donated to his campaign against Rafael last year. I really thought he was going to take it then, but the 'there' isn't 'there' in this. Can't really put my finger on how to verbalize it - but I'm just not feeling it.

[JI7]

50. he has a better chance of winning Texas in a Presidential Election against Trump than beating Cornyn

[Ruby the Liberal]

75. Positive thought for Texas!

Can't wait for that state to turn deep, dark blue. (But point taken...)

[Blue_true]

45. I think the Buttigieg is showing better policy chops.

Beto hits broad themes, but Buttigieg paints in all the ticklish operational details.

[True Dough]

55. COME ON OVER!

We're keeping a seat warm for you!

[Blue_true]

60. I don't come cheap. Only the best ice cream will lure me. nt

[True Dough]

61. I'm not above bribery!

[Blue_true]

62. I'll seriously consider your offer. nt

[True Dough]

69. I think it's better than

a chicken in every pot!

[Blue_true]

71. I am leaning strongly toward Buttigieg. But I want to watch the first debate.

Some people dismiss him because he has never held a federal level office, but in Europe, mayors are sometime elected and several have become good leaders.

I like Buttigieg because he gives clearheaded policy ideas to address our current problems, I am not hearing that from any one else that is currently in the race. For example, if you listen to Bernie, he gives aspirational goals, but never provide details on how we reach those goals. Senator Warren is better at providing operational details than Bernie, but there have been several instances where she has proposed ideas without providing a roadmap. Harris is mostly sticking to her track record and I like that, but I would like to see more aspirational ideas from her along with a roadmap of how we get there.

In short, Buttigieg is that only one out there consistently providing aspirational ideas along with road maps of how we obtain them.

[True Dough]

72. Understood

and I respect your decision to wait until the first debate.

I have nothing negative to say about Harris or Warren. Bernie? The failure to release his taxes (multiple years) despite being asked umpteen times and his repeated response that he'll get around to it have made me leery.

[Honeycombe8]

47. Because you're supporting Kamala Harris, now?

I mean, if you're supporting another candidate, you would naturally feel the others have lost their shine.

But I think Pete is taking all the spotlight right now. And the wait for Biden.

It'll change. It always does. I'm waiting for the debates.

I do have concerns about any candidate w/o national politicking experience. Which is all of the Democratic candidates except Biden, I think.

[lillypaddle]

48. I'm supporting Kamala now

but the debates could change things. I actually like Liz Warren a lot, but don't know if she could win.

[JI7]

49. Beto is doing his own thing and it may just be what will help democrats in dealing with the shit

media and other crap that goes on.

[chillfactor]

51. nope

I still support Beto!

[RandySF]

52. If I had a nickle for every time the hot new candidate was called a lightweight

I could run my own liberal version of the Koch organization.

[Cosmocat]

56. IMO Mayor Pete

Will take his place as the underdog/spoiler.

Has more meat and substance.

[pansypoo53219]

57. definitely. i never bought it & he lost. WTF people, he is not JFK.

[Otto Lidenbrock]

58. Beto overdoes the platitudes

He does have some good ideas worth discussing in a broader context but it's his charisma that he has got the media to focus on, and that's why eventually it feels a tad grating because it's like he is running for president in a high school movie. There does not need to be some sort of profound wishy-washy statement all the time. You're not JFK.

[lillypaddle]

59. well said

and welcome to DU.

[Gothmog]

63. I like this proposal

Link to tweet

[lillypaddle]

64. Yep, that would be nice nt

[Gothmog]

66. Beto is no lightweight

Beto is no light weight

Link to tweet

Second, O’Rourke has adamantly refused to get sucked into the leftward scramble on issues such as health care. He’s supporting a House plan that unlike Sen. Bernie Sanders’s (I-Vt.) Medicare-for-all wouldn’t outlaw private insurance. As CNN reported, O’Rourke told an audience in New Hampshire in late March, “What it says is, if you like your employer-sponsored insurance, you like the network that you’re in, you like the doctors that you can see, you’re happy with that, you can keep it. If you do not like your employer-based insurance and want to enroll in Medicare, you can. If you have no insurance whatsoever or if you are underinsured today, you can enroll in Medicare as well.” That sort of plan is a whole lot more popular than Sanders’s single-payer plan and it’s cheaper, too.

Third, what little he has said about foreign policy sounds reasonable. Every Democrat is going to promise to end long wars. However, he sounded cognizant of the need for U.S. international leadership. He explained in his El Paso kickoff rally Saturday that to achieve goals such as reversing climate change, the United States must “once again reassert our role on the world stage.” He then outlined a very traditional, responsible foreign policy vision

[W]e’ve got to strengthen these historic friendships and alliances, so many of them forged in sacrifice. The service of men and women who put their lives on the line and lost their lives to this country, let’s make sure that that sacrifice was not squandered. Let’s make sure that we strengthen those alliances. Let’s end these love affairs with dictators and strongmen all over the world. Let’s earn, let’s earn the respect of the people around the world, not just by how we treat those in other countries, but how we treat those within our country, and how we treat those who are at the border of our country. If we do that, we can make sure that we once again become the indispensable nation convening the other nations of this planet around some of our shared challenges like climate change, like nuclear disarmament, like ending all of these wars that we are currently engaged in, we can do for ourselves what no other country can.

In other words, democracy and our strategic needs go hand in hand. Retreating from the world, as those on the right and the far-left appear to want, won’t solve our problems. If O’Rourke can talk sense to voters and use his perch to make a case for responsible internationalism, he’ll do his party and the country a favor.

[lillypaddle]

67. Maybe not

The debates will be illuminating. Maybe I should change to "undecided."

[Gothmog]

68. I am undecided because I really like about 6 of our potential nominees

I gave to three last night including Warren and Julian. My middle child worked me over last night to give to Warren. My middle child gave to Warren and got her sister and me to give but failed with her brother. My middle child's best friend from kindergarten evidently maxed out (she is a lawyer at Neal Katyal's firm).

I met Beto briefly at the National Convention. My son and I later heard Beto in early 2017 at a small bar where he just announced that he was running for Senate. I have been impressed with Beto in both small and large settings. I was a first day donor to Beto and I gave some more last night.

Time will tell.

[Trumpocalypse]

70. Yes

He has failed to impress me.

[BannonsLiver]

73. No.

[Gothmog]

74. From today's conference on WeThePeople

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[Irishxs]

76. Agree

[ecstatic]

79. I really liked him too, but the pre-listening tour really jacked things up for me.

He looked too indecisive and weak. I think whoever advised him to run this cycle gave him bad advice. He'll be more ready in 2024 or 2028.

[Gothmog]

80. Here are some great proposals from Beto

Link to tweet

?s=20