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Ok, I have to get this off my chest, then back to regular order: STOP blaming Beto O'Rourke for your candidate not getting enough attention, isn't higher in the polls, or whatever thing you think he's doing to prevent your fave to shine.
Beto standing on tables and chairs or doing 10 counties in 2 days is not doing a damn thing other than highlighting his preferred style and energy levels.
The protracted snipes and comments on his white privilege are also shortsighted and bizarre when you have the Grand Wizards of white privilege and nepotism currently looting and pillaging their way through the White House with very little accountability.
Beto has acknowledged and shown sensitivity and awareness of how his privilege has enabled him in ways other groups are not afforded. If you're still continuing to harp on this just admit you don't like him and wish he would exit the race, point blank.
Otherwise, all you're doing is helping the Right by bringing down a perfectly viable candidate who is seeking to address systemic racial inequalities and finding a way to get people to listen to his message.
Trust and believe the right will demonize and denigrate ANY candidate that wins the Democratic nomination so you're not doing anything but giving them a few laughs by railroading a charismatic and fundraising juggernaut with genuine political talents.
And as for the frequent attacks that he's light on policy: 1. There are many statements he made between his Senate race and now that highlight where he stands on most issues that matter to the base. He will get more policy-specific as time goes by.
2. Elections are not decided on policy. Democrats are facing a cult of personality in Trump and his supporters. They will only be more rabid and committed now that Mueller isn't bringing more indictments. All the factors that enabled Trump's putrid rise are still in place:
Russian interference, a culpable media, and Republican complicity. We have Lindsey Graham hanging with Trump at his club, bots galore, and the media is anxiously waiting on which nicknames Trump will bestow on his rivals.
And if you believe the folly that Trump is dying to run against Beto? That Trump wants to compete against a young, dynamic, effective communicator who is calling for the country to unite and fight back against Trump's endless abuses of power, dignity, and the rule of law?
Then congrats on your gullibility in falling for his mendacity and misinformation. Truth is, Trump is just planning to return to his usual well of lies, race-baiting, and demonizing "others". He's counting on Democratic infighting and the purity police to help him out.
Trump will spend the entire 2020 Election appealing to voters' fears, prejudices, and vices. The Dem candidate has to not just be electable, but fairly transformational. They have to be able to inspire and galvanize, and appeal to our better selves.
If you deeply believe your preferred candidate can do that, more power to them, and once the primary is over, I wish them all the luck in the world battling in the general.
I'm not recommending some unrealistic kumbaya primary where people agree not to criticize other candidates. That would go against all norms of human nature and Twitter. But if substantive critiques were ever important before, they're deadly serious now.
Beto is in the race and has made a pledge not to go after any of his primary opponents. He's not hitting below the belt but attempting to distinguish himself in the ways he knows how by running a positive campaign.
The very least print and TV journalists and pundits can do is listen to his message, carefully, and decide on the merits. If you're confused on where he stands, seek the answers from credible sources. Stop scrolling your twitter feeds for lazy and divisive hot takes.
Stop expecting Beto to answer for and pay a political price because your fave decided not to run for president. He can only justify his own decisions. And finally, please stop trying to turn him into a caricature of the over-privileged, out of touch white man with a God complex.
That is a shallow and inaccurate reading of his character which is belied every time he hits the trail to talk to voters. I'm not part of the Twitter elite, so no one has to give a shit what I say, but if you have a platform and a voice within the Dem party, use it responsibly.
Democracy depends on it. Thanks.
