Matthew McConaughey polling better than Beto O'Rourke in the Texas governor race

[left-of-center2012]

McConaughey, who has been flirting with a gubernatorial run for almost a year now, has polled well against Abbott in the past.
In this poll, 44 percent of respondents said they would vote for McConaughey over Abbott in a hypothetical matchup, compared to 35 percent who would vote for Abbott.

Comparatively, 37 percent of respondents said they would vote for O'Rourke.
But Abbott would beat O’Rourke with 42 percent of the vote, according to this particular poll.

The Oscar winner/author/soccer team owner/philanthropist/UT Minister of Culture/amateur manicurist/bourbon peddler/bongo beater/professional Texan's time to pounce may be upon us. Abbott's approval rating has dipped to 45 percent, and 54 percent think the state is headed in the wrong direction.
Texas' gubernatorial election is in November 2022.

https://www.chron.com/politics/article/texas-governor-race-abbott-beto-mcconaughey-16472881.php

[left-of-center2012]

1. Beto O'Rourke throws shade at Matthew McConaughey

When asked what he thinks of his potential celebrity opponent, Matthew McConaughey, O'Rourke applauded the actor for stepping up to help El Paso after a 2019 mass shooting and hosting a benefit concert for Winter Storm Uri victims earlier this year.

"I'm a fan of his and I've been so impressed by how he's used his celebrity and star power to help others," O'Rourke said. "He's a good guy that's done some good work in the state and he's a great actor on top of all that."

"He's a really popular figure whose political views have not in any way been fixed," O'Rourke said. "I don't know, for example, who he voted for in the most consequential election since 1864 in this country. I don't know how he feels about any of the issues."

https://www.chron.com/politics/article/Beto-O-Rourke-Texas-governor-run-McConaughey-16485628.php

[RainCaster]

3. I wouldn't call it "shade", Beto has point

A very valid one.

[tblue37]

23. He looks like RFK in that picture.

[left-of-center2012]

25. That didn't help him in 2020

He dropped out before the primaries began.

[LanternWaste]

45. Did anyone argue otherwise?

[JI7]

48. That's because people wanted experience and familiarity

after the Trump disaster.

Beto did well for a Democrat in the Senate race. We just need someone that could do what was done in Georgia. Both are similar with large demographic that usually votes more democratic but too many don't vote and just don't pay much attention to politics.

[Autumn]

2. Kind of sad and shows a bit of a problem. That's Texas.

[kimbutgar]

4. Having an actor with no political experience was a disaster for California

I guess Texas gets more stupider in who they vote for who leads them.

[walkingman]

7. Any Dem would be so much better than Abbott or any other GOP candidate.

I think Beto would be better for Texjesusstan. I can't imagine McConaughey being a Rethug but until he says who knows?

[PatSeg]

24. But still better than Abbott though

At least with McConaughey, there is a chance that Texas find some sanity. He certainly wouldn't be my first choice, but getting rid of the republicans in charge is a very high priority.

[Me.]

5. Let's Not Forget Bongo Player & Pot Smoker Of The First Order...:)

Seriously...whoever has the best chance at beating Abbott should be the candidate...we need that put out

[FakeNoose]

33. He's also a cigar smoker

... but that doesn't disqualify him. How he stands on the issues facing Texas and the country - that might disqualify him. Time will tell.

[marble falls]

6. It's all fun and games talking "alright, alright, alright" over cocktails ...

... but when you get into the voting booth - it's Beto all the way.

"Vote for McConaughey:
he's alright, alright, alright!"

Wouldn't that get tiring quick!

[Fiendish Thingy]

8. No celebrities in government! Isn't McConaughey a Republican/Libertarian? Nt

[PortTack]

13. Yes! He would not be running as a dem. I believe he intends to primary abbott

[mucifer]

28. Except Al Franken. But, he's a well read Harvard guy.

[Fiendish Thingy]

54. Well, of course. Franken already has a past record of government service. Nt

[mucifer]

56. He didn't when he ran for senate the first time. Most politicians don't start as senators

they work their way up the ladder starting in state legislatures or other offices. Al was able to get elected because he had money, a name some people recognized and he is dedicated.

[ananda]

9. Well, I wouldn't vote against him.

I've heard several people say how much
they like McConaughey.

[questionseverything]

10. Beto has no chance of winning Texas because of his gun stance

His stance would probably turn Illinois red

Hopefully Texas democrats pick someone like mm who might actually win

[gldstwmn]

18. How quickly people forget. His race against Cruz was a squeaker.

He's been quietly going around the state registering people to vote and he can raise more money than Abbott. Stacey Abrams is working on Texas. Ultimately McConaughey won't run for governor but I wouldn't be surprised if he ran for senate. Greg Abbott won't be the next governor of Texas and he knows it. Everything he does reeks of desperation.
With respect to guns people are tired of seeing their friends, neighbors and loved ones gunned down on a trip to the grocery store. They want change. This is not going to be the problem you think it is.

[questionseverything]

35. 200,000 plus votes isn't a squeaker

There is a lot of room between sensible gun control and what beto preaches

[gldstwmn]

43. It wasn't even that much.

With the anti mask/vax contingent being killed off by the Delta variant Texas Republicans are going to be short of votes by the time this election rolls around even with their rigged voting laws.

[LanternWaste]

47. You're really moving the goalposts on this.

[questionseverything]

51. How?

N/t

[Doodley]

11. Not a fan at all, but McConaughey would be an improvement on any Trumpers.

[bamagal62]

12. Isn't he a right-winger?

[Treefrog]

15. I think he is. And pretty big on himself too. Though I guess most pols are.

But I think Beto has no chance against him or Abbot.

[gldstwmn]

17. Then in about a year you are going to be surprised.

[Treefrog]

31. Bookmarked.

I’ll buy you a beer if I’m wrong.

[gldstwmn]

46. Thanks but I don't drink.

I won't even say I told you so.

[Treefrog]

60. You certainly can do that lol.

I'd be happy to be wrong.

[brush]

20. He hasn't said yet what his political leanings are. He's cagey about it.

My guess is he's no trumper but probably not a Democrat.

[PortTack]

37. After tfg was elected he publicly said we should give him a chance..pretty much says it all!!

[brush]

41. That sounds like a calculated answer to me. Calulated with an eye for the future.

He's smart and probably knew then that he might bet into politics later. Now if he had said "We intend to make him a one-term president" like McTurtle said when Obama took office, I would say he's no doubt a trumper. But saying "give him a chance" is non-committal and what many people say to an incoming president.


I'm a Democrat and will support Beto should he run. It's going to be hard to overcome the "confiscate their guns" statement though. It is Texas.

[mvd]

40. He may be a Republican but a mixed bag

Kind of like Kelly Clarkson. On the good side, Kelly supported Obama and doesn’t believe in the death penalty. But on the bad side, she once gushed over Ron Paul! Matthew’s views on Trump are even vague. I would support Beto at this time.

[PortTack]

14. F..king sad. If he runs and tx votes for him..nothing will improve

[gulliver]

16. I see absolutely nothing wrong with celebrities running for office on the Dem side

It's actually high time we had more of them. Al Franken proved himself in the Senate. High profile actors aren't "just" actors. They're business people, often with broad knowledge of the human condition. And high profile politicians these days are all actors to some extent anyway. They're forced to be.

[LeftInTX]

27. Matthew won't run as a Dem

He probably won't even run.

[PoliticAverse]

19. I see a huge Republican turnout when they run ads showing O'Rourke saying he wants to confiscate

their guns.

[gldstwmn]

44. What's left of them. In a year from now

the anti vax/mask Republicans in Texas are going to come up short. How many in TX have died of Covid?

[brush]

21. Yeah, you can't say things like that in Texas, maybe deep blue California but not many other states.

[tblue37]

22. Don't forget stripper ( "Magic Mike" role).

[left-of-center2012]

30. "Magic Mike" role

Actually a decent movie.

[FakeNoose]

34. I don't think he did much dancing in Magic Mike

It was mainly the younger guys - Channing Tatum, Joe Mangiello, Alex Pettyfer that did most of the dancing. McConaughey played the (older) club owner who hired the dancers to entertain his women customers.

[tblue37]

36. He did dance, and his g-string broke in real life as he performed. That's why he did that

backwards somersault at the end of his routine, with his hand clutching his groin. (I read an article where he talked about it.)

[FakeNoose]

38. OK, I forgot that part

[tritsofme]

26. Running Beto for any statewide race at this point would be nuts

He dug his own grave during his quixotic presidential campaign. Abbott is very vulnerable, facing off against Beto would be a gift to him.

[left-of-center2012]

29. I'm guessing you were not impressed ...

I'm guessing you were not impressed
when he campaigned by jumping up on tables and waving his arms in the air?

[Treefrog]

32. I sure wasn't.

I thought the skateboarding was a wee bit lame too. Just my opinion.

[gldstwmn]

55. Oh noes! Is it worse than a power grid

failure or the loss of a woman's right to choose?

[gldstwmn]

49. Beto got out fairly early keeping most of his huge war chest

Last edited Sat Sep 25, 2021, 07:54 PM - Edit history (1)

And has been organizing ever since. If it snows again in Texas Abbott should probably pack his bags.

[left-of-center2012]

57. "Beto got out fairly early ..."

Didn't he quit before the primaries began?

[gldstwmn]

59. He was deeply affected by the mass shooting at a Walmart that killed 23 people and

didn't see a way forward with his presidential campaign so he went home where he felt he could do the most good. Nothing wrong with that.

[Celerity]

39. Gilberto Hinojosa, chair of the Texas Democratic Party, told Politico if McConaughey chooses to run

on the ticket, he would “welcome him”

https://www.forbes.com/sites/palashghosh/2021/06/17/ted-cruz-says-actor-matthew-mcconaughey-would-make-formidable-candidate-for-texas-governor-in-2022/?sh=50db6295e948

McConaughey, who won an Academy Award for Dallas Buyers Club, has reportedly broached the idea of running for governor in Texas political circles, as well as in discussions with an unnamed energy company CEO. McConaughey, whose primary residence is in Austin, has a high profile in Texas, having recently helped to raise millions of dollars for victims of the winter storm that hit the state earlier this year. In late May in an appearance on Ellen Degeneres’ talk show, McConaughey told guest host Garth Brooks that running for governor is something he will “give honest consideration” to. Eschewing political labels, McConaughey has described his views as “aggressively centrist” and has lamented extremists of all stripes.

[gldstwmn]

50. That's all well and good but at some point if he chooses

to run he is going to have to answer the difficult questions. He is an every man right now.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

42. Lmaooooo

[Marius25]

52. I really don't want another actor in politics.

[joetheman]

58. Idiots still enthralled with celebrity. Enter Herschel Walker. nt