1/ THREAD: I know I’m a little late on this one, but I was busy earlier & have some things to say about the thread @germanrlopez, a @voxdotcom senior correspondent, wrote about @BetoORourke today.
Let me help clear things up with some FACTS & RECEIPTS.
Let me help clear things up with some FACTS & RECEIPTS.
2/ First of all, Beto didn’t just suddenly start caring about gun violence after the shooting in El Paso on August 3rd.
One of many examples: @BetoORourke in 2016, on the House floor, during the sit-in, speaking truth.
One of many examples: @BetoORourke in 2016, on the House floor, during the sit-in, speaking truth.
3/ And when @BetoORourke wasn’t speaking he was live-streaming on FB so we could see democracy in action after Paul Ryan cut the CSPAN feed.
4/ @BetoORourke campaigned unapologetically on an assault weapons ban, red flag laws and universal background checks in the TX senate race & won more votes than any Dem in TX history, won 51% of Independents & 500k people who voted for the GOP Governor voted for Beto too. 
5/ @BetoORourke didn’t “criticize” @CoryBooker or licensing in May, he said it “may go too far.” Then the NEXT day (not months later🙄) he said he’d reflected on it overnight and thought the idea should be considered.
6/ On that same day in MAY, @BetoORourke also said that @CoryBooker should be commended for his bold plan and that we should explore the idea of licensing and put everything on the table. Not exactly months later or a “flip-flop.”🤷♀️
7/ It’s true that @BetoORourke didn’t support mandatory buybacks until 22 people were murdered in his hometown, but he did support the idea for a month before the debate.
Cory talks about how gun violence in his community has influenced his positions too.
Seems logical to me🤷♀️
Cory talks about how gun violence in his community has influenced his positions too.
Seems logical to me🤷♀️
8/ And furthermore, why would anyone want to elect a president or leader of any kind who wouldn’t be moved to evolve their thinking or reevaluate when something that hits close to home makes them understand an issue differently or see it with new eyes?
It’s called being human.
It’s called being human.
9/ If you can watch @BetoORourke’s impassioned remarks on the debate stage and convince yourself he only said them to get a “big debate moment” your cynicism and failure to be able to identify raw empathy & righteous anger when you see it is beyond me.
10/ LEADERSHIP is being the first & ONLY candidate to endorse the @AMarch4OurLives #PeacePlan, which @BetoORourke did the day it was released.
He was also the first candidate to commit to attending the #MarchForOurLives & Giffords forum in Las Vegas.
He was also the first candidate to commit to attending the #MarchForOurLives & Giffords forum in Las Vegas.
11/ LEADERSHIP is sitting with people in their pain & helping your community heal.
12/ LEADERSHIP is going to a gun show in Conway, Arkansas to talk to gun owners & sellers about mandatory buybacks.
13/ LEADERSHIP is using the language necessary in the moment to break through the noise. And yes *clutches pearls* sometimes only a swear word will do.
14/ LEADERSHIP is showing up & having hard conversations.
15/ LEADERSHIP is listening & learning.
16/ LEADERSHIP is using your platform to raise over $1 million for victims funds in El Paso, down ballot candidates and local & national gun safety groups.
pscp.tv/w/cH-tRTEwNDE0…
pscp.tv/w/cH-tRTEwNDE0…
17/ LEADERSHIP is fighting like hell to achieve what you believe in and doing the right thing.
18/ PLUS, it looks like @BetoORourke’s leadership is working to move Americans and the conversation forward on the idea of mandatory buybacks, which is something we can all be grateful for.
19/ On the issue of courage, pretty sure having the NRA target you, getting death threats, being featured in gun ads & being attacked from the right AND left for taking a bold stand on gun reform isn’t easy.
What @BetoORourke is doing is politically AND personally courageous.
What @BetoORourke is doing is politically AND personally courageous.
20/ @BetoORourke is not operating from a place of fear.
He is doing the right thing.
“For all of the Americans who live in fear, our leaders must be fearless. No more weak stuff in the United States of America. Don't be afraid to believe.”
He is doing the right thing.
“For all of the Americans who live in fear, our leaders must be fearless. No more weak stuff in the United States of America. Don't be afraid to believe.”
21/ @BetoORourke is fighting for all of us & the #Beto2020 campaign is 100% funded by people. #NOPACs or lobbyists. If you want to help please👇
💙Volunteer: act.betoorourke.com/signup/volunte…
💙Donate: secure.actblue.com/donate/how-we-…
💙Spread his message: betoorourke.com/#plans
💙Volunteer: act.betoorourke.com/signup/volunte…
💙Donate: secure.actblue.com/donate/how-we-…
💙Spread his message: betoorourke.com/#plans
Epilogue: Apparently tweet #15 was removed by Twitter because no one can see it🤷♀️
It was a tweet from @BetoORourke & video where he met with surgeons. Maybe too many words that get red flagged in his tweet or something? Will drop the video in next tweet because it is powerful!
It was a tweet from @BetoORourke & video where he met with surgeons. Maybe too many words that get red flagged in his tweet or something? Will drop the video in next tweet because it is powerful!
15/ LEADERSHIP is listening & learning.
