# 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:** 34
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2018, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/661 "2018-10-08T16:16:23Z")
The soft guys with the wobbly bits are kinda pissed off. We of the “Yes, Dear” coalition will support them. (I would have anyway, but their approval is a definite positive.) The reaction hasn’t shown up yet, but it will. November is coming. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2018, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/662 "2018-10-08T18:20:31Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > …The hope for O’Rourke has always been that there is more enthusiasm on the D side than on the R one this midterms, as seen in special election results. This poll shows no enthusiasm gap favoring the Ds and in fact more Rs are “very enthusiastic” than are Ds. Now his hope has to be that this result represents a mere blip of re-energized R enthusiasm in the face of the Kavanaugh circling of the wagons but that it drops back down quickly. Not much time for that but modern attention spans are very short. Agreed. I think the Democratic Party would be in deep shit if the race were held this week, but 30 days gives a lot of time for some other distraction to captivate the voters. New poll: Emerson 47-42 Cruz, 8 undecided, 3 third party. MoE 4.5. 10-1 to 10-5 period. [News & Stories Archives - Emerson Today](https://www.emerson.edu/news-events/emerson-college-today/emerson-e-poll-cruz-extends-texas-us-senate-race-abbott-cruises-governor-race#.W7tWUGhKhhH) Last Emerson poll for this race was 8-22 to 8-25 and was 39-38 Cruz. Which has been sufficient for Real Clear Politics to remove the race from their Toss-Up category. Long way to go until the election though. ---
**Author:** ![Catsie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c0e974/32.png) [@Catsie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catsie)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2018, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/663 "2018-10-09T18:55:11Z")
Don’t know enough about it to offer much that’s useful, but that’s never stopped me before. 😃 I think anybody with O’Rourke’s numbers would have a halfway decent chance of beating Cruz. Cruz is as prominent as he is – IMHO – because the pickins’ are slim. He’d sink without trace in a richer field. Besides, he’s weird. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2018, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/664 "2018-10-09T19:26:48Z")
Beto is fortunate to be facing the most unliked senator of about ever. Against someone like Cornyn, he might be struggling more. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2018, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/665 "2018-10-09T19:38:36Z")
One could also say it’s not super impressive to be losing to such a loathsome reptile. I have trouble believing Cruz is liked by anyone, even his family. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2018, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/666 "2018-10-09T19:39:05Z")
Ted has been running ads saying Beto isn’t “Texas Strong”. So Beto is running an ad where Ted kowtowing to Trump after Trump called his wife ugly and saying his father was involved in the JFK assassination is not Texas Strong. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2018, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/667 "2018-10-09T19:52:37Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Ted has been running ads saying Beto isn’t “Texas Strong”. So Beto is running an ad where Ted kowtowing to Trump after Trump called his wife ugly and saying his father was involved in the JFK assassination is not Texas Strong. It’s actually by the Fire Ted PAC, which isn’t connected to Beto. it’s directed by Richard Linklater and is a reference to his movie _Bernie_. See it [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRYYqEgT9uI). ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2018, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/668 "2018-10-09T21:56:54Z")
I deeply loved that movie. I quite appreciate the ad. Shitstain need to be accountable for his cowardice. Juju knows he ain’t the only one. ---
**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:** [October 9, 2018, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/669 "2018-10-09T23:43:17Z")
[**O’Rourke to appear solo in CNN town hall**](https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/410652-orourke-to-appear-solo-in-cnn-town-hall) > [@](#): > > Texas Sen. Ted Cruz (R) has declined an offer to participate in an upcoming CNN town hall while his Democratic Senate challenger Rep. Beto O’Rourke has agreed to participate, according to the network. > > “Sen. Ted Cruz’s campaign initially accepted CNN’s invitation to participate” but has since declined, CNN said in an announcement. The town hall in McAllen, Texas, on Oct. 18 will be hosted by chief political correspondent Dana Bash. > > The Hill has reached out to Cruz’s spokesperson for comment. > > … > > Cruz was critical of CNN earlier this year after one of its graphic accused him of being “afraid” to go on the network by attending a town hall about school shootings and guns following the Parkland, Fla., mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. > … Okay, Dopers, what’s the real reason Ted has turned down this opportunity to show his ugly mug next to that cute, intelligent, kind, articulate, hot Beto. Oh, maybe I just answered that… ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2018, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/670 "2018-10-09T23:49:47Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > [**O’Rourke to appear solo in CNN town hall**](https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/410652-orourke-to-appear-solo-in-cnn-town-hall) > Okay, Dopers, what’s the real reason Ted has turned down this opportunity to show his ugly mug next to that cute, intelligent, kind, articulate, hot Beto. Oh, maybe I just answered that… Probably because it’s not a debate, but an ambush with two hours of, “Senator, do you think Beto is great, or really, really great? Oh, and why are you so awful?” I would like to see this third debate with O’Rourke materialize though. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/671 "2018-10-10T00:03:06Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > Probably because it’s not a debate, but an ambush with two hours of, “Senator, do you think Beto is great, or really, really great? Oh, and why are you so awful?” I wish CNN would start being objective like that instead of pretending assholes like Cruz are worthy of respect. In reality, CNN would treat him fine. He would only look bad because he’s deplorable. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/672 "2018-10-10T00:16:07Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I wish CNN would start being objective like that instead of pretending assholes like Cruz are worthy of respect. In reality, CNN would treat him fine. He would only look bad because he’s deplorable. Ooh. That’s good. Demonizing one’s political opponents is really healthy. Should I reply with a bunch of helicopter memes? I’m beginning to wonder if the people who are concerned about the start in this country of serious political street violence have a point. As much as I may have disagreed with, say, Obama’s policies, I never thought of him as less than a person. I may have wanted him in jail, (along with W for that matter) but describing him as deplorable is what you do to people you’re convinced you can never make common ground with. Objectivity is good. It convinces people that they should pay attention to what you have to say. Abandoning objectivity, or at least the pretense of it, gives me no reason to value its output anymore than any other propaganda source. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/673 "2018-10-10T00:19:10Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > Ooh. That’s good. Demonizing one’s political opponents is really healthy. Should I reply with a bunch of helicopter memes? > > I’m beginning to wonder if the people who are concerned about the start in this country of serious political street violence have a point. As much as I may have disagreed with, say, Obama’s policies, I never thought of him as less than a person. I may have wanted him in jail, (along with W for that matter) but describing him as deplorable is what you do to people you’re convinced you can never make common ground with. > > Objectivity is good. It convinces people that they should pay attention to what you have to say. Abandoning objectivity, or at least the pretense of it, gives me no reason to value its output anymore than any other propaganda source. I’m way past being healthy or trying to be productive. We’re in the Age of Trump, and I’ve given up hope for our nation. ---
**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:** [October 10, 2018, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/674 "2018-10-10T00:23:35Z")
The “deplorables” thing again? Yes, racists really are deplorable, and what does it say when people take offense at that statement? ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Lowry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Sam\_Lowry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Lowry)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/675 "2018-10-10T00:53:10Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > Probably because it’s not a debate, but an ambush with two hours of, “Senator, do you think Beto is great, or really, really great? Oh, and why are you so awful?” > > I would like to see this third debate with O’Rourke materialize though. I didn’t watch the [Cruz/Sanders debate about tax reform last year](https://thehill.com/policy/finance/356157-sanders-cruz-spar-over-tax-reform-in-cnn-debate), but it doesn’t sound like CNN was ambushing Cruz then. Why do you think Cruz was willing to go on CNN for a fairly meaningless debate with Bernie Sanders last year but not willing to go to a town hall to appear with his actual opponent? ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/676 "2018-10-10T00:59:04Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I’m way past being healthy or trying to be productive. We’re in the Age of Trump, and I’ve given up hope for our nation. And of course, Republicans have never, ever advocated for violence against Democrats. Never, ever, ever. Ever. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/677 "2018-10-10T04:00:53Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > I’m beginning to wonder if the people who are concerned about the start in this country of serious political street violence have a point. Only because your political violence is against a much higher background of general violence than in many other countries, doesn’t mean it’s either starting or about to start. It’s never stopped. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/678 "2018-10-10T04:22:52Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > Ooh. That’s good. Demonizing one’s political opponents is really healthy. Should I reply with a bunch of helicopter memes? > > I’m beginning to wonder if the people who are concerned about the start in this country of serious political street violence have a point. As much as I may have disagreed with, say, Obama’s policies, I never thought of him as less than a person. I may have wanted him in jail, (along with W for that matter) but describing him as deplorable is what you do to people you’re convinced you can never make common ground with. I can relate. I didn’t realize the fundamental depth of the political divide in the United States until I spent eight years listening to Republicans describe a moderate centrist Democrat as the literal anti-Christ. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/679 "2018-10-10T06:50:00Z")
> [@Gray\_Ghost](#): > > I’m beginning to wonder if the people who are concerned about the start in this country of serious political street violence have a point. Uh huh. Quick, which side called for a “Second Amendment solution” or threatens violence in the streets if one or both houses of Congress flips, again? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987/680 "2018-10-10T10:15:06Z")
Not only that particular side, but that side’s candidate for President. The sick fuck. (But I don’t recall it having to do with congress, just more foam-at-the-mouth Hillary hate.) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987.md?page=33) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-beto-orourke-have-a-chance-to-oust-ted-cruz/807987.md?page=35)