I've been impressed by Beto, especially what he said about anthem kneeling. However...

[Garrett78]

...I admit that I didn't know anything about Beto's voting record. An article from The Guardian paints a rather ugly picture, which could be a real problem for Beto in a Democratic Primary: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/dec/20/beto-orourke-congressional-votes-analysis-capital-and-main.

We've all heard the criticism that Beto took a lot of money from the fossil fuel industry, which is a rather distorted narrative. It's Texas, and any donations from those with any ties to what is a major industry in Texas will be labeled as "donations from the fossil fuel industry."

That said, he's voted in favor of a lot of lousy legislation. Now, maybe his voting record isn't indicative of how he would run and how he would govern if elected president. But, in spite of his immense charisma and fundraising prowess, he may have a really tough time getting the nomination.

[BannonsLiver]

1. The purity crowd will likely not be fans of Beto.

Also, the Guardian is in the tank for Bernie.

[Garrett78]

2. We certainly need to guard against the purity police. But...

...that voting record isn't just mildly questionable. That's a lot of lousy votes in support of Republican legislation.

[BannonsLiver]

3. The bigger picture on his record is more important

He’s plenty progressive enough for me on the big stuff. My guess is his overall voting scores from various progressive organizations are probably pretty good. The Guardian is totally in the tank for Bernie so I’m not surprised they were able to cherry pick a couple of issues and make O’Rourke look far right. That’s their game.

[Garrett78]

5. I hear what you're saying, but voting in support of the Trump position 30% of the time...

...is something that will be brought up by all of his primary opponents if he chooses to run. There are far more than a couple of issues to which his competitors will be able to point.

The vast majority of people don't know anything about Beto's or anyone else's voting record. But a primary campaign will shine a bright light on one's voting record. I guess I'm just saying this is something Beto will need to be prepared for.

Don't get me wrong, my overall feeling toward Beto remains very positive. I still think he'd make a great choice as VP (depending on who the nominee is) and, if he's the nominee, I will certainly vote for him with no hesitation.

[BannonsLiver]

7. I'm sure Beto will be fine.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

12. I was just thinking about what the debates will be

Like. Will the more left trash the others for not being progressive enough ? Will the more moderate ones tell the others their ideas are too pie in the n the sky?

Hope they stay respectful to each other.

Worked for Beto here on Cruz race. It surprises me what you posted. And not in a good way. Based on listening to him here...he is very progressive. But he does believe in compromise. So maybe he found things in these bills he liked? I don't know.

Just like Biden...he looks at glass half full not half empty?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

4. Riiiiiight, just like "the purity crowd will likely not be fans" of Bernie... so, if you disagree

with some positions taken by other candidates, you're a purist. Okay, NOW I get it!!


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[BannonsLiver]

6. Who said the purity crowd wouldn't be fans of Bernie?

Pretty sure that’s demonstrably FALSE.

[Bradshaw3]

8. Concern is duly noted

Less than progressive records in the past apply to several candidates, including Harris and Gillibrand.

[Garrett78]

9. Harris will have to answer to criticism of some decisions she made as AG of California.

In terms of her voting record, it's basically identical to Warren's.

[Iggo]

10. There's a different "purity" crowd to oppose any candidate. Although they're not all that different.

Supporters of Kamala Harris (or anyone who's paying attention, really) are aware of this.

They'll come for every one of our candidates, eventually.

Just know it for what it is.

[Garrett78]

11. All of Beto's competitors will bring up his voting record. Not just Sanders.

Beto is a rock star, but that voting record could cause him problems in the primary.

[shanny]

13. He's a "rock star" who lost to Ted Cruz, the most despised man in the Senate.

An uphill fight, no question, but he did lose it. And I think his brand of Democratic values--as reflected in his votes--will not sell as well outside Texas as in.

IMO running for prez at this point is overreach for him. I'd rather see him run against Cornyn, build the party in TX and turn the state blue--that I believe he can do, or boost enormously (and at the least force the pukes to spend enormous sums against him). My two cents.

eta: a bit of personal advice: if he runs for prez now, and gets blown out in the primary, where does he go from there? For a politically ambitious person, being a two-time loser is not a good look.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

14. What is kind of funny about it all is that the

general public Democrats want us to be more moderate. The nominee perference of the general public Democrats is a lot different than what it is here.

[comradebillyboy]

15. I'd love to see Beto as Harris VP.

[Drunken Irishman]

16. I like Beto I just wonder if he has the clout to run for president...

He's definitely got the personality and there's a level of support that just isn't there for many more experienced, or nationally relevant, Democrats. But Beto is a former six-year congressman and before that, a councilman in El Paso. It's not the level of experience you'd expect out of someone who is garnering so much attention. I know, I know, Barack Obama had only been senator four years when he was elected. It's a very good point. I will only say being senator brings more clout than being a congressman and Obama was prepped well with being on the Foreign Relations Committee.

Beto hasn't sat on any similar committees while in the House.

I am not saying this disqualifies him, because I do not believe it does, but it is enough to make me question whether he can stack up against Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and even Kamala Harris. I think there's reason we haven't had a congressman elected as president since James A. Garfield. Sure, others have served in the House (Nixon and Kennedy) but had some pretty impressive stops along the way (Kennedy was senator, Nixon was senator and VP).

I don't know ... I feel this could be a roadblock for Beto.

[Gothmog]

17. Beto is a good man

I also like him