Thread by @TexasTribune

1/ Beto O'Rourke is considering a 2020 presidential campaign much like he ran his 2018 U.S. Senate campaign: on his own terms. bit.ly/2G0wmay

2/ O'Rourke is taking his time, giving few outward clues and keeping even close allies and supporters in suspense.

The waiting game is unfolding as the 2020 field takes shape.

It is growing on a near-weekly basis. bit.ly/2G0wmay

https://twitter.com/JoePerticone/status/1087335385892564994

3/ You have to understand: This is Beto O'Rourke's style.

He is following the playbook of his freewheeling Senate race, when he eschewed political norms for a do-it-yourself attitude inspired by his past campaigns and even earlier punk rock days. bit.ly/2G0wmay

4/ It was a style that led to a closer-than-expected loss to Sen. Ted Cruz — and one O'Rourke brings into his deliberations over a 2020 bid. bit.ly/2G0wmay

5/ "He could enter the race really late — or tomorrow," says one of the co-founders of a group working to draft O'Rourke into the presidential race. "He doesn’t play by the same rules as everyone else does, he’s not a typical politician."

bit.ly/2G0wmay

6/ Beto O’Rourke does not believe there is a window of time during which he must make up his mind, according to a person familiar with his thinking.

Others disagree.

bit.ly/2G0wmay

7/ It is getting harder and harder to hire staff in Iowa.

"I'm happy to give him some space, give him room, but in the very near future, something's got to start shaking."

bit.ly/2G0wmay

8/8 At a recent stop at a community college in Colorado, O'Rourke opened a discussion with students by acknowledging he could run for president.

Beyond that, he did not mention 2020 — or politics, for that matter.

He ceded the conversation to students. bit.ly/2G0wmay