I had a brief argument with some other on another thread about why I believe if Beto ran in 2020 he’s hands on favorite on winning the nomination. I thought I’d expand on my thinking.
The democratic party has never shied away in nominating in-experienced young candidates with a paper thin record. Bill Clinton in 1992 (though he served as governor for some ten years, he was still considered in-experienced) to Barack Obama (senator for only three years), and all the way back to 1960, John Kennedy (Only 42 years old when he won the nomination). All these candidates were successful in exciting the dem base that would carry them to victory. I believe Beto O’ Rourke is in that same mode. And I don’t say this as some Beto sycophant, go back and look at my comments during the primaries and general election this past election, I rarely if ever mentioned Beto’s name. To me he was just some guy selling a message of hope in a time of absolute chaos. I wanted to see how he’d do in his race for senator before I jumped on his train, just as I had waited to see how Obama would do when he ran for senator in Illinois before I was sold.
Beto’s near victory in his senate race convinced me he was ready to take on Trump. He wasn’t just speaking to the choir he could bring new people to the polls. And make no mistake, Beto brought millions of new people out in Texas to vote for him which helped ensure the dem party picked up two additional house seats and nearly picked up a third and knocking out a favorite incumbent, Will Hurd a republican who many of the know it all pundits proclaimed was headed to a double digit victory.
Beto has a message that resonates and is starkly in contrast to Trump’s burn it all down strategy which is what we’ll need to take down the orange menace in 2020. His freshness is also a big asset, just like it was for Obama in 2008. I have nothing against Biden, Sanders and Kerry who all seem interested in running in 2020, they’ve served the nation well and delivered for the dem party many times over but at this moment they are not who we need to take on Trump and neither do I believe dem primary voters will turn to any of these candidates. When we’ve gone with our heads in the past we’ve always lost. Dukakis in 1988, Kerry in 2004 and Clinton in 2016. The heart candidates are the ones that always bring us victory. Sanders was the heart candidate in 2016, but unfortunately he couldn’t pull through in the primaries missing his one golden opportunity to be president.
Beto has stated he has no interest in running for president in 2020. I think he will be making a big mistake. You only ever get these types of opportunity once in life. Always strike when the iron is hot, buddy. Obama didn’t let his opportunity pass him by, Beto shouldn’t either.
No doubt if Beto ran he will face tough competition from other fresh faces like a Kamala Harris, Amy Kloubarcher, Corey Booker, Kristen Hillerbrand, and Liz Warren. But I believe he’ll tower all over these candidates. I haven’t seen anyone resonate with young voters like he does since Obama. He’s also able to connect with the masses in a way I haven’t seen with the aforementioned would be candidates. Beto has the it factor. And he has shown he’s capable of bringing out a loyal base to the polls. His message of inclusion in contrast to Trump’s hate is exactly what we need in 2020.
Run, Beto Run!