Former Texas U.S. Rep. Robert “Beto” O’Rourke is joining the field for the 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary. It comes as no surprise to those paying attention. There was speculation from some he might hold off and challenge Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) in 2020, but O’Rourke is going for the big win.
O’Rourke’s announcement comes the same day as he appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair in blue jeans and a button up standing by his dog. The photo, by Annie Leibovitz, is already drawing comparisons to similar photos of both President Ronald Reagan and former Sen.John Edwards.
Just remembered the last time a Conde Nast publication dressed a young Democratic hopeful in smart-casual workwear and posed them next to a dog and pickup truck in a cover story shot by Annie Leibovitz. pic.twitter.com/qvOzjdaUkw
— Freddie Campion (@FreddieCampion) March 13, 2019
When a look works, it works. pic.twitter.com/kQ8LczRNar
— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) March 13, 2019
The profile by Joe Hagan covers a lot of O’Rourke’s style, but not enough of his substance. Hagan talks of O’Rourke embracing his “heritage” in returning to El Paso where his father was a controversial politician and ends the article with a quote from O’Rourke that implies politics is his destiny. This kind of framing just doesn’t sit right with me while we are still digesting the recent college bribery scandal.
The more he talks, the more he likes the sound of what he’s saying. “I want to be in it,” he says, now leaning forward. “Man, I’m just born to be in it, and want to do everything I humanly can for this country at this moment.”
Any talk that even nears the territory that someone is entitled or fulfilling a legacy may not go over very well right now. And considering that there are evangelicals who believe Trump is some divine vessel from God, anything resembling an anointing seems likely to turn some off to O’Rourke, especially with the incredibly qualified and diverse field of candidates who have already announced.
I realize this framing is not necessarily O’Rourke’s fault. Far too many people have an urge to look past qualified women and men and women of
As a law school classmate of Tucker’s, I was disappointed to see him pitched to voters as a pedigreed
It turns out our rays of hope in 2018 were not candidates like Tucker and O’Rourke. Instead, Democratic women like Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Kansas Rep. Sharice Davids, Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez fought gender and racial barriers on their paths to Congress and came out ahead. While it is important to know the backgrounds of our politicians because the way they are raised can certainly shape their world views, our elected officials have no control over who their parents are and should not be elevated or disregarded based on their family members’ merits.
I’ll admit I’m intrigued by O’Rourke. He seems sincere. He draws a crowd. He is charismatic. He is
I do prefer O’Rourke to former Vice President Joe Biden who seems to be teasing us with his decision whether or not to enter the race. Both men appeal to those who believe nominating a white, moderate man and winning back the
A few people have asked what O’Rourke has to offer that the current group of candidates do not have. Simple. He offers the comfort and