# Does Beto O'Rourke have a chance to oust Ted Cruz? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 2, 2018, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987 "2018-02-02T00:12:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 24
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2018, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/461 "2018-09-14T21:55:53Z")
Ditto “A Horse With No Name”. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2018, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/462 "2018-09-15T00:34:24Z")
Heck, “Born in the USA” is more patriotic than “God Bless the USA”, and they lap that one up, too. ---
**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:** [September 16, 2018, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/463 "2018-09-16T02:11:35Z")
Aw, geez, they’re going to have [three debates.](https://www.texastribune.org/2018/09/14/ted-cruz-beto-orourke-agree-3-debates/) > [@](#): > > Announced Friday by both campaigns, the schedule calls for debates Sept. 21 in Dallas, Sept. 30 in Houston and Oct. 16 in San Antonio. Each event will be an hour long and vary in topic and format: > > ``` > Dallas: Domestic policy, moderated > Houston: Domestic policy, "town hall style" > San Antonio: Half domestic policy, half foreign policy; moderated > > ``` > > The Dallas debate will be at Southern Methodist University, the Houston debate will be at the University of Houston and the San Antonio debate will be at a studio there. > … God, I hate events like this. They are excruciating to watch. But I may have to lay in a supply of Jack Daniel’s and watch this one. ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/464 "2018-09-16T03:57:55Z")
My worthless prediction: Beto will by any reasonable metric fare better in the debates. It will not make an appreciable difference to any polling numbers. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/465 "2018-09-16T04:42:11Z")
Yeah, I don’t expect the debates to be significant. I do expect Ted Cruz to take the low road and sling as much mud as he can during the debates. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/466 "2018-09-16T06:44:33Z")
Ted Cruz is an accomplished debater, Beto is a punk rock and skateboarder. My money is on Beto coming out ahead in the debates, 10x if the debate is in Spanish. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/467 "2018-09-16T17:30:20Z")
> [@China\_Guy](#): > > Ted Cruz is an accomplished debater, Beto is a punk rock and skateboarder. My money is on Beto coming out ahead in the debates, 10x if the debate is in Spanish. If it’s in Vietnamese, I predict a draw. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/468 "2018-09-16T21:04:41Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > If it’s in Vietnamese, I predict a draw. Yes, Beto would know to draw pictures to make his points … ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2018, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/469 "2018-09-16T22:42:34Z")
I want Beto to wear boots, and as he mounts the podium, stop and scrape them on the steps, like his Momma taught him! And if Ted tries to bury him in a cloud of Harvard Law debate. Beto will “Aw shucks” him to death. Ah, be still my beating…_aaaarrgh_! ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/470 "2018-09-17T02:58:57Z")
Apparently the GOP is worried enough that Ted Cruz is asking for donations disguised as a l[egal summons](https://www.newsweek.com/ted-cruz-beto-orourke-texas-election-midterms-letters-1123146). ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/471 "2018-09-17T09:46:48Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Apparently the GOP is worried enough that Ted Cruz is asking for donations disguised as a l[egal summons](https://www.newsweek.com/ted-cruz-beto-orourke-texas-election-midterms-letters-1123146). I’d ask SDMB lawyers if this is moral or even legal. But I’m afraid I already know the answer from the Republican lawyers: “Our side is smart. And we got the elected DA on our side! Ha ha ha!” _Shyster, Shyster & Slime v. Old Granny Roe_, 86 F.2d 737 (2nd Cir. 1936) ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/472 "2018-09-17T11:34:19Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > I’d ask SDMB lawyers if this is moral or even legal. But I’m afraid I already know the answer from the Republican lawyers: “Our side is smart. And we got the elected DA on our side! Ha ha ha!” _Shyster, Shyster & Slime v. Old Granny Roe_, 86 F.2d 737 (2nd Cir. 1936) Appears to be legal on the face of it, and Cruz’s campaign have pulled similar stunts in the past. That said, if a noisy civil fraud case arises because someone’s granny actually sent in money thinking she was legally required to, it certainly won’t help Ted any. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/473 "2018-09-17T17:39:50Z")
Putting aside the questions about legality or morality, it just seems like a terrible political move. How is that shit move supposed to get anyone to vote for you? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/474 "2018-09-17T17:55:08Z")
Its a standard Republican Texas move. People in Chicago and New Jersey bitch about corruption and rat-fuck, a week in Texas and they would run screaming to the border. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/475 "2018-09-17T18:11:18Z")
Right, I just don’t understand how its a SMART move. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/476 "2018-09-17T18:14:10Z")
They aren’t trying to fool smart people, they are trying to fool ignorant peckerwoods. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/477 "2018-09-17T20:06:35Z")
Here’s AOL News’s coverage: [Ted Cruz's Texas Senate campaign is sending out mailers to voters disguised as court summonses](https://www.aol.com/article/news/2018/09/17/ted-cruzs-texas-senate-campaign-donation-mailers-disguised-as-court-summonses/23530127/) I smell lawsuit! ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2018, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/478 "2018-09-17T20:28:48Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Here’s AOL News’s coverage: [Ted Cruz's Texas Senate campaign is sending out mailers to voters disguised as court summonses](https://www.aol.com/article/news/2018/09/17/ted-cruzs-texas-senate-campaign-donation-mailers-disguised-as-court-summonses/23530127/) > > I smell lawsuit! From that article: > [@Gene Wu](#): > > Hello. > > This is violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA). > > I know, because I passed this law in 2015. I always knew Ted Cruz was hated. I’m starting to understand why. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/479 "2018-09-18T00:20:04Z")
And isn’t there a law against using an incorrect return address, too? Of all of the federal law enforcement agencies I wouldn’t want to run afoul of, the Postal Inspectors are pretty high on the list. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2018, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/480 "2018-09-18T03:02:07Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Its a standard Republican Texas move. People in Chicago and New Jersey bitch about corruption and rat-fuck, a week in Texas and they would run screaming to the border. Q: And the People said?!? A: AMEN! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987.md?page=25)