If you look at the 167 votes where O'Rourke went against the majority of Democrats, here's what you'll find 1/x
There are a relative handful of votes where he voted against what anyone would describe as the progressive position on fossil fuels, taxes, trade and other issues. He was seldom alone, but sometimes in a small minority of Democrats 2/x
There are 28/167 votes that are so procedural/dilatory/nonbinding they have names like motion to approve the journal, motion to adjourn, order the call of the House, order the previous question and instruct conferees. That's more than 15%. Looks like he doesn't like BS votes. 3/x
There are votes in favor of the space program and disaster aid -- priorities for his state -- that went against the ideology of the majority of his party. 4/x
There are also votes to continue government funding and allow the military to sponsor motor sports and wrestling events 5/x
There are also a number of votes on which he bucked the majority of Democrats because he was voting with the left -- for example, against re-authorizing intelligence agencies and extending the re-designation period for HUBZones. 6/x
If you go through the list, you'll find instances of him voting with people named Pelosi, DeLauro, Conyers, Lee, Ellison, Doggett or Velazquez against the majority of the Democratic Party. 7/x
Does that mean he's "progressive?" or "progressive enough?" Surely not for me to decide. Certainly, each vote will get its vet. But it's fascinating that the first shots of the invisible 2020 Democratic primary are Bernie backers targeting O'Rourke. 8/x
A fair reading of the votes is that he isn't always aligned with the most progressive set in the Democratic Caucus but that he usually is -- and that he doesn't like dilatory votes. 9/x
A fair reading of the politics is that Sanders backers are worried about his pull with progressives and millennials -- and that is framed by portraying O'Rourke as a tool of the old Democratic establishment. 10/x
This fight is just starting, and it will be interesting to watch. It's easy to dismiss reporting on it as "horserace" journalism, but the way the candidates, their campaigns and their supporters engage in politics is a big part of how campaigns are won and lost. 11/x
Stay tuned. 12/12
One add: Some votes simply aren't strictly ideological. O'Rourke voted to allow one-year permits for the limited killing of unendangered sea lions on the Columbia River to protect certain fish. Most Dems were against. Jayapal, Wilson, Huffman & Beyer were among CPCers with him.
