thesameasyours
134990
1568
81
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/beto-o-rourke-announces-bid-texas-governor-n1283889
Nov 15, 2021 2:53 PM
thesameasyours
134990
1568
81
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/beto-o-rourke-announces-bid-texas-governor-n1283889
hoehandleharry20500
Shall they start crying FIXED yet?
Roaddog184
Also his snake stance on taking away all firearms will not go over well, especially in TX even by middle road Dems.
sevenfingerman
Can we pick some one who hasn’t lost yet?
SirBobby98121
With his stance on the Second Amendment , he will be a tough sell in Texas.
justsaaayin
He makes a lot of money losing high-profile elections. Expect him to lose again and again.
biggerhammertx
"If you're good at something (losing elections) Never do it for free". Beto's motto as the Out of State $$$$ Roll in to line his pockets!
death4665
If you can stand in general you can stand up to Abbot
Preincarnated
I don't think it's kosher to mock people who aren't capable of outrunning a non-moving tree.
death4665
And yet he fucks up Texas constantly, fuck him
rossimus
In other news, Gov Abbott begins planning victory celebration
BeetBoxer
I just... I don't know. If there's going to be a dem gov in TX in the near future, I just don't see it being Beto.
LuminoZero
Is anybody else running?
tr26
For Dem? Cooper, Gilbert, Beto. Davis might try again, she’s been conspicuously present at events lately.
BeetBoxer
Not that I've heard at this point, but I don't live in TX so I'm not the most plugged in to their political scene.
TheRealJakeLongg
I love Beto, but as a Texan, I know few others do too.
JamiesEPIRB
Yelling that he’s going to take your property & calling himself by a different name so he can get votes doesn’t make this guy popular in TX
ActionJohnnie
Beto fuck his chances with his gun control stance. Democrats own guns too
biggerhammertx
Democrats think Guns are "Icky" & no one (except the Military & Police) should be allowed to own them. Democrats shoot themselves with it.
ActionJohnnie
goldblumslaugh
I thought Matthew McConaughey was gonna run
Preincarnated
As a Democratic Texan, let me be the first to congratulate the Republicans on re-winning the governorship in 2022.
RichysImgurName
Sad but absolutely true
Oscill8s
Oof
TLArts
He's already got my vote over Abbott
dirtybad
Sadly, not a chance in TX after the 'Hell yes we're going to take away your AR-15, your AK-47' sound bite. Need moderate to get R's on board
Thispostisaboutacat
It’s going to result in Abbot winning again.
RaistMoPP
Until the Dems stop the "take your guns" bullshit, they'll never win Texas. Honestly, they need to change that tune everywhere, cuz 1/
RaistMoPP
A lot of independents aren't going to vote for them just on that. Sensible is one thing, "hell yes we're gonna take your guns!" is way 2/
RaistMoPP
Different. And after they've fucked the left so many times, holding one's nose and voting against red isnt the sell they think it is anymore
Imalwaysready
Ahhh. I'm a left-leaning Texan and the only proper response to this is: FFFFFUUUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKKKKK. Why, man?
Skawomplious
Because two party system, yo.
Imalwaysready
Certainly a part of it.
ChorizoPig
Because running and losing high-profile elections has been extremely profitable for him.
sqabbit
Never gonna happen after he said hes coming after guns, they're gonna hammer him dead
Shnowonlymemes
StarscreamAndHutch
Im not onboard with another celeb mess, but id chance it over another 4 with abbott.
tr26
Exactly
Imalwaysready
I don't want that moron, either, but this image does capture my thoughts on hearing Beto announce.
bumCandle
You guys got some funky names over there
corkyburceck
His name's Robert.
bumCandle
Yeah that ain't explaining much buddy
gerschmann
Robert->Roberto->Beto. Wear a helmet, folks.
bumCandle
I mean come on
maythegorknmorkbewithyou
Beto is a twit with a snowball’s chance in hell.
thesameasyours
So you prefer abbott,
ChorizoPig
Don't be a cunt - that's not what he said.
maythegorknmorkbewithyou
I prefer the Democrats don’t put forward dumbasses.
maythegorknmorkbewithyou
Abbot can suck a tailpipe for all I care, but I don’t see Beto as a likely contender.
thesameasyours
Who would be a contender?
maythegorknmorkbewithyou
Mike Rawlings, two time mayor of Dallas.
tr26
Sadly, he’s gonna be the spoiler that ensures an Abbott win
ChorizoPig
Yup; worst thing that could have happened. : (
Bobalobadingdong
As a Texan who dislikes Abbott, I fear you are completely corrrect
Imalwaysready
100% agree. I hope he loses the primaries and we get a better Democratic candidate. I'd like to see someone like Julián Castro have a go.
LuminoZero
Who else is running?
Imalwaysready
I took your comment as meaning "in the same party as Beto," but for the OTHER major party, the current incumbent Abbott is running again.
LuminoZero
My point was that you can't call Beto a spoiler if he's the only one running against Abbot. Who is he spoiling?
Imalwaysready
He's spoiling the chances of his own party having a shot at actually winning.
LuminoZero
And who would his party be voting for?
Imalwaysready
I don't know if anyone's announced, but there are a few Dems I wish would do so. Julian Castro or Sarah Eckhardt, for example. (Though >
Imalwaysready
Castro's more or less said he's out this cycle as a recent mayor of San Antonio and I wouldn't want to lose Eckhardt representing Austin.)
LuminoZero
So he can't be a spoiler, since nobody else is running.
Imalwaysready
Yet. Until this morning, Beto wasn't even running. We have no idea who else may jump in. There's a fair amount of time.
Imalwaysready
But the spoiler comment is not in terms of upsetting the Dem field but tanking the Dem vote in the final election and giving Abbott the win.
tr26
There are three other dem candidates, but the concern is independents and dems who like guns. Also Beto can’t debate for shit.
tr26
We’re awaiting the official “alright alright alright,” but he also may primary Abbott, which would be excellent news
Imalwaysready
I don't think he'd be as great as a lot of people think he would be...
tr26
Oh I think he’d be barely adequate, but he’s an electable moderate Republican that could be our reset.
Imalwaysready
I don't think he could win the primary anyway. Many Republicans see him as a Hollywood elite and assume he's leftist. He'll be a hard sell.
StarscreamAndHutch
What party would he run under?
tr26
Presumably Rep
StarscreamAndHutch
Ill vote in their primary then.
initforthespecs
Good luck to Beto. Even more luck to him if he wins. I don't think Texas will be as accepting as Tennessee to a Dem governor.
ChorizoPig
TX is ready for a qualified dem governor but a lightweight clown like Beto has no chance. I hate Abbott and would vote for s squirrel (1/2)
ChorizoPig
over him but Beto has no chance. (2/2)
StarscreamAndHutch
Same. I was dreading this happening. Abbott will be gov for 4 more.
wargames
didn't he lose last time he ran in texas?
Youhavinagiraffe
Yes, but with a higher percentage of the vote than any Texas Democrat since 1990
Vidikron
It was close. With all the BS Abbott has pulled to energize the left and so many rightwingers self culling themselves, could be a win.
whysomuchdoghair
Him and Cruz are on pretty thin ice after the winter storm. Turns out basically no one here wants to be cold.
biggerhammertx
This will be his third loss. Senate, President, Governor. Maybe he could try for El Paso Dog Catcher and eak out a win locally?
thesameasyours
4 yeard ago for senate? some things have changed
StarscreamAndHutch
We don’t have republicans anymore. We have emboldened fascists.
lucifer316
Yeah they made it even harder for people to vote.
ICheckUsernameAndSuch
True, but a lot of right wingers have also died because they refused the vaccine. Hard to say how it will balance out until the election.
Imalwaysready
Yeah, since then, for example, he's handed the GOP a "hell yeah, I'm coming for your guns!" soundbyte to run with in every commercial.
thesameasyours
Did he put bounties on pregnant women,
Imalwaysready
I think it's really cute you think women's rights will trump gun rights in a Texas election. Abbott's scum, but this will still 100% bite >
Imalwaysready
Beto and hurt him more than Abbott's bounties will hurt him. If for no other reason than the GOP here is FAR better than the Dem party at >
THRILLHOUSE69
I want Texas to be blue, and sure as shit want Abbot out, but Beto is too left leaning for moderates.
OffTheFrontRimAndIN
How? From what I've seen, he's about as left as any successful democrat: that is, not at all.
ChorizoPig
Literally said he wants to round up guns. That's a hurdle he's not going to get over in a statewide TX election.
LuminoZero
Enough of this "We just have to be more moderate!" bullshit. It hasn't worked for the last twenty years, stop being scared of Progressives.
THRILLHOUSE69
You can't tell Texas to vote for a progressive candidate anymore than telling Massachusetts to vote for a conservative one.
LuminoZero
By all means, then, keep putting Corporate Democrats on the ballot and practicing your Shocked Pikachu Face.
yq7tzfh6n95
See here, the age old leftist tactic of stifling others opinions. Much like the far right, these ideologues seem to be ignorant of history.?
LuminoZero
Calling you out on your bullshit isn't "Silencing" you, it's saying that you're full of shit. Moderates LOSE, because they run on nothing.
StarscreamAndHutch
Gov abbott, LtG patrick and AG paxton are all up at midterm. Vote these worthless fucks out with me 11/8/22, Texans. #morebluein22
StarscreamAndHutch
We need another candidate for gov. Beto is failed here because of his 2a confiscation statements.
tr26
100%
crypticorb
Oof. I only know Texas peripherally, but even I know even mentioning gun restrictions is a non-starter in Texas, regardless of D or R.
ChorizoPig
Not even restrictions, wants to take them away - literally said "Hell, yes, we're going to take your AR-15, your AK-47."
mytruepersonality
Shit i was gonna ask if there was anything wrong with him. He shot himself in the foot. Talk about gun restrictions when you in power Beto.
autodidacticcortex
Wtf
b01000100
Any rich liberals willing to fund my campaign for governor of Texas? I'm a liberal, I'd be willing to move there, and I love guns.
b01000100
I'm also fat and white, so I'd appeal to a "larger" base of Texans, I'm sure. :D
kickmyballsrealhard
He’s going to lose. They’re gonna play that bit of him saying “we’re going to take your assault rifles” on loop
benreilly10
Yep
Imalwaysready
As a Texan...yes. Just yes. That WILL be 90% of the GOP strategy against him and he WILL lose over it. It sucks, but it's true.
Youhavinagiraffe
Victory in Texas for Democrats is more about turnout than persuasion. The rabid anti-gun control lot wouldn't vote for ANY Democrat anyway
PoorBoyChevelle
Yea, but now you've also lost all the gun-owning liberals as well.
kickmyballsrealhard
It will matter to the “independents”
StarscreamAndHutch
Forever. This is the best the dem party could do. Terrible.
aInternetFlyer
Sounds like you should run.
tr26
I’d consider voting for @StarscreamAndHutch.
chefsoda
No one says this is the best the Dems can do, only that he's tossing his hat in the ring along w/many others
SpicyPeanuts27
I hope you're correct. I'm getting a bad abbott feeling
chefsoda
I think I'm correct about other & better Dem candidates, but until the TX voting law is overturned, no Dem can win in any way
WackKerouac
I mean, yes, but this guy couldn’t beat Ted Cruz so I’m not getting my hopes up.
IWasGoingToMakeEspresso
Barely. Ted Cruz only won with 51% of the vote.
ADapperDanMan
That was my first thought as well…
ColoradoCattleCo
The right-wing extremists want to get rid of Abbott (he's not far right enough), so hopefully that will damper his poll numbers.
defiedthestars
Yeah, you don't announce you're going to take guns and expect to win Texas. You run on improving things so they don't need to be taken.
wodansring
Cruz cheated
QueTeValga
It's not that he couldn't beat Ted Cruz. Texas conservatives rather watch the state and everything they have go to shit before going blue
djj25
morality wise they are worlds apart. Cruz has none.
autodidacticcortex
Don’t go to Texas talking about gun confiscations lmao
AuntieCoddswaddle
If its Ted Cruz vs any Democrat then I'm going with the any Democrat.
xyxyxyxy31
exlurker42
Pretty sure he lost any hope of winning in TX during the primary when he dropped "Hell yes we're going to take your AR-15..." Line
apathyisakiller
Yep! He would have won against Ted Crust if it wasn’t for his stance on guns. Same with Bernie and his pointless socialism label.
ChorizoPig
Right? When are the dems going to give me someone I can actually vote FOR instead of just voting against the GOP asshat?
invalidredditor
People see things differently over covid now though
FelonyRaptor
That's kinda like losing to a sentient dumpster fire.
PeeterGrant
Says a lot more about the voters than anything to me.
PrincessAris
Are we SURE Ted Cruz is sentient? The glassy eyes, the waxy skin, and the lack of spine imply he's just a haunted ventriloquist dummy.
Thelrishlnquistion
I think he’s a sack of shit…a literal sack of shit.
onlyhalfghost
40 pounds of horseshit in a 20 pound sack
FelonyRaptor
Youhavinagiraffe
He turned out a million more votes than the last Democrat against Cruz (despite it being a non-Presidential year) and Cruz's numbers...
Youhavinagiraffe
...were nearly identical to last time. People hate Cruz but red Texans vote red very reliably and his near loss in 2018 could well have...
Youhavinagiraffe
...been the thing that tips the tide in later statewide elections (like Abrams gubernational run in Georgia did)
agonarch
Yeah the American system doesn't lend itself well to making people vote, it's very easy to make votes that won't count for anything in it.
StanielRonathan
Meanwhile Texas reds are the ones killing themselves to worship a plague
Bulbasaurusrex
Why does everyone discredit how close that race was? Even not winning, it was shocking for Texas. I have faith change is happening here!
Youhavinagiraffe
Agree, the binary way elections happen in the US make people think in a very binary way about them and treat all wins and losses the same
MaladaptedMedic
How many Repubs vs Dems died of Covid in Texas…? Might be enough to make up the margin maybe
Youhavinagiraffe
O'Rourke lost by about 100,000 votes and about 70,000 Texans have died of Covid. So no, that won't really matter
HolyCityofMecca
As a Democratic voter in Texas, they’re going to play his “ hell yeah I’m coming for your AR-15’s” on repeat and he’ll lose by a landslide.
Ericcantona7
tbh I can't really blame them. What a colossally stupid thing to say in American politics, and in texas of all places
imredheaded
His position about guns is a really tough sell in Texas
DocMilsap
Yep. “Hell yes we’re going to take your AR-15” is pretty much political suicide in Texas.
sdfsfsfsgs
He had a chance until he doubled down on the antigun stuff at some point. The way he talks about it really gets peope thinking he'd have
blaghart
Yea screaming you're literally going to take their guns when literally no country on earth has done so is real fuckin stupid.
sdfsfsfsgs
2) the government come take their guns.
crowfoot68
He actually said that during his senatorial race and I said "AND THATS THE BALL GAME." I respect, but should've kept his inside thoughts.
TheChunguskaEvent
That's nice and I like Beto, but TX seems like a lost cause. If they're there, Ds don't show up.
SpecialAgentPinkfinger
The big cities are going more and more blue and it's spreading.
aNamelessCreature
Oh they're there, they're just being gerrymandered aggressively
Weregerbil2
Gerrymandering affects Texas Senate voting but doesn't affect governor voting, so it wouldn't matter for Beto.
Imalwaysready
Cruz only won in 2018 with 50.9% of the vote. It's not like Republicans are always blowing Dems out of the water.
death4665
Considering covid is dropping dumb fuck R's it's easier now, still a uphill rigged battle though
gorillaClutch
Nobody shows up is the thing. Last election only 9% of registered voters showed. It was a local election but still.
InkyBlinkyPinkyAndClyde
Holy shit. 9%??? That's insane.
haveyouheardabouttheseinternetmemes
Demographics are changing there. I still wouldn't bet on Beto in 2022 but I believe they'll flip blue within the next decade or so.
StarscreamAndHutch
Beto will not win based on himself. He might win because he’s not republican. His 2a position will be a near impossible hurdle.
kingbudo101
Trump won texas by 5 points in 2016. Bush won it by 20 in 2004. Its not a lost cause
Preincarnated
Not only not a lost cause, but the biggest chunk of electoral votes the Dems could grab should they focus on trying to do so
QuitLookinAtMineAim
Austin does, but it's not enough
whhy
So do San Antonio, El Paso, Houston, and Laredo
jaguirre104
I live in texas and would not vote for this man.
whereisdannymo
most voters do not show up in that state. It's not a red state. it's a non-voting state.
TheobromineAddict
Yep, just the kind of state loved by cult indoctrinated voters who believe they have a religious mandate to vote for their fascist dictators
lvl31Lurker
I'm not super confident the "gonna take your guns" candidate is the one to win TX for Dems
Lightsmith
Its hard when they make it hard to vote in democat areas
EyeSpyABreathtakingPerson
Only 52% of TX voted for Trump in 2020. It wasn't the biggest margin in that election.
ThrowAwayAcct0000
I'd love if he won, but I'm not holding my breath. Texas is a shit show.
Youhavinagiraffe
Once the dam of voter suppression breaks in Texas it could end up being a blue state in a relatively short time. The GOP know this which...
Youhavinagiraffe
...is why their voter supression and gerrymandering is so aggressive down there
hogeyegrex
It’s a lot of electoral votes.
StarscreamAndHutch
40 now
hogeyegrex
If they lose TX, they’ll never have the White House again.
pirateninjaunicornattacksquad
The Ds actually outnumber the Rs, the problem is that Texas is the most gerrymandering state in the union AS well as one of the ones who 1/
tokenhooker
*laughs with you, in Ohio*
pirateninjaunicornattacksquad
suppress the most votes. Texas is a perfect example of how fucked the American electoral system is, because the state should be blue. 2/2
exlurker42
That explains a lot about the state legislature and our congresspeople but not so much about statewide races.
ZzzSleepyheadzzZ
How does gerrymandering affect a statewide vote? TX congressional delegates sure, but if Ds have more votes they can win the governorship
Churchofthesubgenius
Suppressing voting in the first place, disproportionately effecting minorities who tend to vote Democrat.
EatsBees
there's a lot of nothing in Texas. most people live in the big cities, but there are more red counties than blue counties. and a lot of
EatsBees
counties for the cities are gerrymandered to hell and back
OgreMkV
TX 2000, R wins by 21 pts. 2012 R wins by 16 pts. 2016, R wins by 19 points, 2020 R wins by 6 points.
Imalwaysready
Cruz won the senate in 2018 50.9% to 48.3%. Only a 2.6% gap. Of course, that's Cruz and even most Texans find him odious and pathetic.
skylardarkfox
Not most of voters, unfortunately. Senate can't be gerrymandered either, so straight up 50.9% of voters willingly elected a turd sandwich.
xanius
50.9% of people who voted. 33% of the state didn’t vote.
skylardarkfox
Yup. Thus I said "voters" rather than "people." I'm careful with my words.
Imalwaysready
Senate can't, but it also can... Directly it can't. But if gerrymandering drives down turn-out for down-ballot elections, then those voters>
Imalwaysready
are not, by definition, turning out, which has an impact on up-ballot races, too. The goal of gerrymandering is partially to drive >
StarscreamAndHutch
Huh? Beto came close to unseating cruz. We are far from the reddest state. We just need a little more help on the non republican side.
TheChunguskaEvent
I keep hearing that, but see R, gov+state house 25/38 Rs in congressional delegation. And statewide:
TheChunguskaEvent
It would be great if 2022 is finally the year. But I haven't seen anything to explain how or why it might be.
StarscreamAndHutch
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/amp/texas-blue-spine-democrats-gop-election-vote-15716023.php of instance. There are other/
StarscreamAndHutch
Articles that say basixally the same thing. The I35 corridor and Houston are growing faster than rural areas. To combat this abbott keeps/
StarscreamAndHutch
Problem is beto took a stand on 2a with confiscation. Really really dumb position to take.
CptRobotNinja
Yeah if he doesn't pick his battles more wisely he won't do any better this time
StarscreamAndHutch
Its too late. Its on tape and he will be cudgeled with it relentlessly.
beeeeeeerkaaaaa
Then which state do you think is the reddest? Governor is beyond red.
CAAFlo
Mississippi
hogeyegrex
Try Idaho.
Noitisnot
Like red scare red
enybi
In the last presidential election, Wyoming, it voted 69.9% Trump
Blightsteel101
Its actually a Blue state. The real tragedy of Texas is the horrifying effects of voter suppression. For yall in Texas, check your /1
TheChunguskaEvent
There are zero Democrats in statewide elected office.
Blightsteel101
Registration and encourage your friends to get registered. Make sure your ID is accepted. Encourage everyone to give Abbott the boot. /2
Blightsteel101
Here is the list of accepted ID https://www.votetexas.gov/mobile/id-faqs.htm
Blightsteel101
Register to vote herehttps://teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov/MVP/mvp.do
chefsoda
According to the TX AG, a republican, if he hadn't disqualified 100s of thousands of votes, the state would have gone Blue in 2020 by a lot
Meeces
He's wrong, but he's saying this as a way to turn out votes.
chefsoda
How is he wrong? The lawsuits to block votes are public record, as are the voting demographics
Meeces
Being very pedantic, it was to stop ballots being sent out, not from being counted. It's a huge leap... (1/x)
Meeces
to say that hundreds of thousands of people would have voted otherwise. TX did have low voter participation in 2020 (~60%), but CA... (2/x)
whhy
michaeloberg
Fuck that lazy eyed fuck
Kyrorayne
Well, he is seeing someone on the side
chefsoda
Nice
kickmyballsrealhard
Well that just seems unfair. Wtf Texas
cdlong
It's fair if you standard is "republicans must win elections, no matter what"
WorthEveryPenny
Nothing about American, republican democracy, is about fairness. It's about corruption and suppression.
yuugian
I mean, most of what the GOP has done since Regan has been more or less unfair
hogeyegrex
You misspelled Nixon.
whhy
Yeah, I used to be proud to be a Texan, now it's hard to have pride in anything
CongoRanger
They have parades for that
BrutisShootis
As a Texan, I have always been ashamed of this state. It's always been hateful and bigoted. Been here 20 years now.
madeyoulookXD
You can regain your honor, just go capture the avatar.or idk vote out every republican. Short of that the AG stole 100,000s of votes. Take /
warmNchewey
Especially the United States...