Beto O'Rourke has a plan for veterans. But are South Carolina veterans buying it?

[TexasTowelie]

WASHINGTON -- South Carolina is home to more than 400,000 veterans, comprising a voting bloc poised to be courted by Democratic presidential candidates stumping in the critical early primary state.

Having already rolled out what he calls a comprehensive policy platform for veterans, former Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke is hoping to make inroads with this base — and stand out in a crowded field of more than two-dozen 2020 contenders.

Some S.C. veterans and those who work in veterans’ affairs around the state say they’ve noticed O’Rourke is focusing on issues that matter to them.

“I think he’s got some really great ideas, and I like his energy, and I like the way he’s talking, especially for the veterans,” said Stan Bridges, an Air Force veteran in Sumter, home of Shaw Air Force Base. “He’s my top choice right now,” along with former Vice President Joe Biden, he added.

Read more: https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/election/article231970047.html

[JI7]

1. Beto will have to work extra hard on the ground. that's where he does best

he needs to practice to get through the debates. don't try to win. just try to do ok and get through it. Obama didn't win or stand out in the Primary debates but he did ok enough .

[TexasTowelie]

2. I think that too much emphasis is being placed upon these first debates.

The candidates that are running on platforms of only one or two issues won't remain in the primaries for very long. Candidates that have proposals on multiple topics will remain in the primaries for much longer. Beto has built himself a decent campaign fund and he should be able to last through the early primaries going into Super Tuesday. The media that are predicting Beto's demise are being premature. Beto has committed to making this primary run and it would almost certainly result in a defeat in Texas if he withdrew to run in the Senate race against Senator Cornyn.

I believe the same logic also applies to Bullock, Castro, and Hickenlooper in their respective home states; although each of them is in weaker financial position and built the connections that Beto has built thus far in his campaign. Both Beto and Castro may not end up on the ticket in 2020, but by remaining in the presidential primary at least through Super Tuesday they will remain in a position where they could launch challenges in 2022 against Gov. Abbott or Lt. Gov. Patrick.