O'Rourke bets on new approach to revive flagging campaign

[TexasTowelie]

KEENE, N.H. (AP) — Beto O’Rourke was back at Keene State College, but the large crowd that flocked to see him six months ago was not.

Far removed from the whirlwind opening days of his presidential campaign, the former Texas congressman faced a far smaller, quieter gathering. An attempted “Beto! Beto!” chant fizzled, and when an elderly voter declared that O’Rourke was “so clear and consistent on what the world needs,” the candidate responded, “Could you travel with us to every campaign stop and say what you just said?”

The joke was emblematic of the campaign’s troubles since O’Rourke has already undertaken two major campaign reboots since first coming to Keene State in March — and his latest is built on a national approach to running for president that makes a third visit to the New Hampshire campus seem unlikely. Looking to recapture the early enthusiasm surrounding his candidacy, O’Rourke is pursuing the go-anywhere, freewheeling style that made him a Democratic star last year while nearly unseating Sen. Ted Cruz.

After a mass shooting last month in his hometown of El Paso, O’Rourke has again remade his White House bid, this time around decrying what he calls President Donald Trump’s racism and sympathy for white supremacy, as well as combating gun violence. He’s still visiting Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina, which kick off the presidential contest. But he’s also turned up at places like an Arkansas gun show, where he debated banning assault-style weapons with self-described conservatives.

Read more: https://www.apnews.com/bd623fc88d1c4bd98364b73bf8a5e3cd

[rockfordfile]

1. Good candidate

[djg21]

4. He should run for Senate

He has no prayer of becoming President. I liked him, bit he’s acting like a clown. He’s young. He can run in the future after winning a Senate seat and building more of a record.

[liskddksil]

7. Beto is running for President. 9 great candidates are running for the Texas Senate seat

and posts like this continue to undermine them.

[thesquanderer]

2. re: "Could you travel with us to every campaign stop and say what you just said?"

I know it's not the same, but I can't help but be reminded of Jeb's "Please clap."

[cwydro]

3. Thought the same.

Colbert did a hilarious bit on O’Rourke last night.

On my first cup of coffee, so I’m not up to finding the clip, but it’s pretty funny.

[liskddksil]

6. Not even close to the same thing nt

[BlueMississippi]

5. Beto's tactics are refreshing and his positions on issues superb. nt