Thread by @SnarkedUpLawyer

Today, a person on Twitter asked why I support Beto. I think it's a fair question. I will state at the outset that Beto was my Representative, and I have a lot of love for the man based on what he delivered for us and his willingness to listen and engage with his constituents.

Nevertheless, there are three key reasons why I support Beto O'Rourke for President. They are:
1. Electability
2. Ideology
3. Messaging

I'll start with electability. I think Beto is arguably the most electable candidate in the race for three reasons.

First, he brings TX to the table. Demographic trends are only weakening Republican hold on Texas, and statistical modeling showed after the 2018 race that Beto likely would have won with Pres. Election turnout. Cruz is surprisingly popular in TX (moreso than Trump in some polls).

Second, Beto has the potential to appeal broadly. He is moderate enough to not scare off Independents, he is progressive enough to appease liberals, people of color like him, and even some moderate Republicans like him. He can build a coalition that can beat Trump in 2020.

Third, Beto has proven that he can turnout the youth vote. Young voter turnout in TX in 2018 was up 234% compared to the 2014 election. For the Democrats to win, we need POC to turn out and young people to turn out. Beto is a candidate who can potentially get both to happen.

Next, I'll move onto ideology. Beto is a center-left candidate. I am a center-left voter. Obviously, that's a good fit. Beto's immigration and healthcare plans are more moderate measures than some others but still accomplish progressive goals.

For example, Beto supports Medicare for America. It allows you to keep private insurance if you want or enroll in Medicare. It also enrolls those who can't afford insurance or are insufficiently insured in Medicare. It achieves universal healthcare while allowing for choice.

Beto's immigration plan stops family separation, legalizes undocumented workers, enhances due process protections for asylum seekers, stops the prosecution of asylum seekers, stops kids in cages, and creates a program for people to work here legally.

However, it does not support decriminalization, which is politically toxic and bad policy. It protects those who should be protected and allows us to prosecute those who are dangers to our community. Basically, his policy tends to be progressive and pragmatic. It can pass.

Finally, Beto's messaging appeals to me. Call me an optimist, but I still think we can save this country. I still think we can reign in the divisiveness. We just need a leader who is willing to work to do that. Beto isn't writing people off because they're Republicans.

Rather, he tries to convince them that there is a way forward. Yes, some Republicans are too hateful to change. All we can do is keep moving forward while they live in the past. But some Republicans are fed up with how their party is acting.

I am under no illusion that an inordinate number of Republicans will cross the aisle for Beto. But as President, I do think his message of hope and unity might be able to repair some of the damage done by Trump. Maybe we'll even be able to start talking to each other again.

Those are the main reasons why I support Beto O'Rourke for President. I think we have a wealth of good options to choose from in this primary, so I don't begrudge anybody who prefers somebody else. #Beto2020 #BetoForAmerica #BetoForPresident