# Beto O'Rourke's running for Governor **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 15, 2021, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beto-orourkes-running-for-governor/954382 "2021-11-15T14:20:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beto-orourkes-running-for-governor/954382/21 "2021-11-16T13:32:42Z")
I assumed @Oredigger77 meant “killed” in the election, i.e., soundly beaten, not literally assassinated. Am I wrong? ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beto-orourkes-running-for-governor/954382/22 "2021-11-16T14:00:42Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I don’t know the Democratic Texas stable, maybe there are better candidates maybe not. Yeah I had that same thought at the start — is O’Rourke “it” for TX Dems for the foreseeable future? Then again, losing a couple of times with a “headliner” name in the ticket while building a good mobilization and fundraising structure statewide, can be a benefit to _future_ candidates. But, at the same time, we bear in mind Beto’s not Stacey Abrams ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beto-orourkes-running-for-governor/954382/23 "2021-11-16T14:22:42Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I assumed @Oredigger77 meant “killed” in the election, i.e., soundly beaten, not literally assassinated. Am I wrong?   It was a double-entendre, intentionally or otherwise. I saw it both ways immediately. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beto-orourkes-running-for-governor/954382/24 "2021-11-16T14:58:43Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > Yeah I had that same thought at the start — is O’Rourke “it” for TX Dems for the foreseeable future? Pretty much, yeah. A few years ago the Castro brothers were widely seen as the great hope of Texas Democrats, but Julian seems to have moved on from Texas politics and Joaquin got elected to Congress and was never heard from again. ---
**Author:** ![Precambrianmollusc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/precambrianmollusc/32/63_2.png) [@Precambrianmollusc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Precambrianmollusc)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2021, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beto-orourkes-running-for-governor/954382/25 "2021-11-16T15:39:43Z")
I am pretty new to the texas politics on the state scale, but I’d agree it seems the bench is pretty shallow at the moment but maybe hope. Of the 13 out of 36 congress people 4 of them have been in congress forever , although one is not rerunning. 4 have been about 10 years or so in texas politics, and I guess should have some name recognition, which includes Castro and Al Green, maybe castronis just keepingbhus head down and working on his resume or sees a bigger national level job out there. The final batch of 5 which include Lizzie Fletcher and Colin Allred were all elected after 2018 and seem to be doing ok, but are probably too new to the game to have any hope right now. Hopefully they can maintain their energy and keep on rolling setting up the organizations they need to maintain elected position, and who knows maybe actually do something to advance the country in their current jobs. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2021, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beto-orourkes-running-for-governor/954382/26 "2021-11-17T04:37:38Z")
Yikes - just for a nanosecond got dyslexic on certain letters in Lizzie’s last name, there. 😬 ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2021, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beto-orourkes-running-for-governor/954382/27 "2021-11-20T20:53:11Z")
Texas Democrats are going to be hurt by immigration. They made a mistake in thinking that open immigrtion would be an electoral benefit to them among Hispanics, but it’s the opposite. Biden currently only has a 41% approval rating with Hispanics in general, and I’ll bet it’s lower in Texas. That’s down from over 70% support for Democrats by Hispanics not long ago. Texas was a purple state for a long time. It’s now trending redder again. And I have to ask… Why all the love for Beto? The guy strikes me as a complete lightweight. He’s accomplished nothing in life besides getting elected to local office, His education is average, his hobbies are cycling and music. I personally know half a dozen people with more impressive qualifications. As a politician he kind of sucks. His local election wins were all in safe districts where the challengers had no chance. He lost his Senate bid to Cruz despite massive fawning media coverage and tons of financing. His presidential campaign was a bust as well, despite lots of hype and support from the media. So what is it about him that makes Democrats keep going back to the well,for him? ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2021, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beto-orourkes-running-for-governor/954382/28 "2021-11-21T02:06:02Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > Why all the love for Beto? The guy strikes me as a complete lightweight. He’s accomplished nothing in life besides getting elected to local office, He was in the House of Representatives for six years, 2013-2019. > **[Beto O'Rourke](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beto_O'Rourke)** > > Robert Francis "Beto" O'Rourke (/ˈbɛtoʊ/ BEH-toh, also /ˈbɛdoʊ/ BED-oh; .mw-parser-output .IPA-label-small{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .references .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .infobox .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .navbox .IPA-label-small{font-size:100%}Spanish pronunciation: \['beto\]; born September 26, 1972) is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for Texas's 16th congressional district from 2013 to 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, O'Rourke w... ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2021, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beto-orourkes-running-for-governor/954382/29 "2021-11-21T13:33:01Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > And I have to ask… Why all the love for Beto? I don’t think there is a lot of love for Beto among Democrats. There WAS back in 2018, when he was new on the scene and seemed engaging and a breath of fresh air compared to the Democratic dinosaurs still mourning their political dominance from the 70s. Him coming within three points of knocking off Cruz after years of Democrats losing by 20 points in statewide races was genuinely impressive. A lot of the ardor has cooled, of course, as a result of his quixotic Presidential bid and other behavior. But as I mentioned above, what are the other options? At least Beto will be able to raise sufficient money to be competitive with Abbott’s massive warchest. People love a good redemption story, maybe he can sell himself as being humbled by his presidential campaign experience. His odds are low, but you can’t win with nobody. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2021, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beto-orourkes-running-for-governor/954382/30 "2021-11-21T22:11:04Z")
> [@flurb](#): > > A lot of the ardor has cooled… That’s what I call efficiency! Cool the ardor _before_ you’re even elected. Avoid the inevitable nosedive in popularity that happens after the election. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2021, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beto-orourkes-running-for-governor/954382/31 "2021-11-21T22:19:47Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > That’s what I call efficiency! Cool the ardor _before_ you’re even elected. Avoid the inevitable nosedive in popularity that happens after the election.   Well, except that he already ran for president and got cooled after that. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2021, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beto-orourkes-running-for-governor/954382/32 "2021-11-22T00:58:13Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Avoid the inevitable nosedive in popularity that happens after the election. [Don’t forget people don’t like voting for or donating to or endorsing a loser.](https://www.google.com/amp/s/fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-most-candidates-dont-run-again-after-losing-twice/amp/) It is very hard to get elected after losing two elections and no one has been elected to a major US office after their third loss. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2021, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beto-orourkes-running-for-governor/954382/33 "2021-11-22T01:57:51Z")
> **[Beto O'Rourke raises $2 million in first 24 hours of launching gubernatorial...](https://www.texastribune.org/2021/11/17/beto-orourke-fundraising-election-governor/?utm_source=articleshare&utm_medium=social)** > > O'Rourke faces an even more formidable fundraiser in Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. He had $55 million cash on hand at the end of June. Right. ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2021, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beto-orourkes-running-for-governor/954382/34 "2021-11-22T02:14:08Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > All of the ads will be of him saying he’s coming for your guns. That’s everything you need to know…anti-gun candidate shoots self in foot. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2021, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beto-orourkes-running-for-governor/954382/35 "2021-11-22T02:30:48Z")
And he’s going to force your children to become gay, transgender, or both. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2021, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beto-orourkes-running-for-governor/954382/36 "2021-11-22T06:26:57Z")
And he’s gonna make your children weak masks at school. And forcibly vaccinate you all. But it doesn’t matter, because if he wins they’ll just steal the election anyway. Looks like they pretty much have the necessary mechanisms all in place. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2021, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beto-orourkes-running-for-governor/954382/37 "2021-11-22T08:34:34Z")
Actually, Beto double downed on his statement that he would take away people’s AK,-47s and AR-15s. A really stupid thing to say to Texas Dems. Or any Dem who has ever made the argument “Never an American history as the government taken away your guns!” Beto has effectively made a republican Boogeyman a real thing. Thanks for that dumbass. SMH ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2021, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beto-orourkes-running-for-governor/954382/38 "2021-11-22T16:02:29Z")
Beto needs to make an ad saying Greg Abbott wants your children gunned down in the schools. He needs to get off defense. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2021, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beto-orourkes-running-for-governor/954382/39 "2021-11-22T21:53:13Z")
Beto’s a candidate in search of an office. POTUS, Senator, now Governor. Besides being one of 435 representatives for a few years and the Mayor of El Paso, he’s been a bass player and computer web designer. I don’t expect this campaign to result in an office for himself. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2021, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beto-orourkes-running-for-governor/954382/40 "2021-11-25T00:24:30Z")
Speaking of lightweights with minimal political experience. . . > **[Matthew McConaughey says Texas governor announcement 'coming shortly'](https://www.chron.com/politics/article/Matthew-McConaughey-Texas-governor-running-16646038.php)** > > The Texas-born actor says he has actively questioned whether he has what it takes to lead... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beto-orourkes-running-for-governor/954382.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beto-orourkes-running-for-governor/954382.md?page=3)