This statement from Beto is very likely a massive boost for Trump's reelection chances -- the level of fear among cultural conservatives about this is primal and to have a leading Democrat actually say it is going to activate those voters like crazy
Beto's statements on guns, stripping churches of tax exempt status, etc, are also an example of what it means to have weak political parties -- Beto is untethered from any party entity that might seek to rein him in to prevent him from damaging its 2020 chances. (1/2)
In other words, there is no avenue to channel ambition through a party and its many filters. The only avenue to power & influence now (it hasn't always been thus) is through gaining attention & publicity. And that incentivizes the kind of statements Beto is making
