In first South Carolina swing, Beto O'Rourke faces pragmatic voters intent on beating Trump

[TexasTowelie]

by Abby Livingston, Texas Tribune


CHARLESTON, S.C. – South Carolina may well have a reputation of fueling political grudges borne out of decades of dirty politics. But when former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke traveled here on Friday and Saturday, the message from the locals could not have been more emphatic: They want to defeat Donald Trump in 2020, and they have no interest in sour grapes from also-rans.

It was a message the candidate was already selling.

"Come summer of 2020, we'll all be on the same team," said O'Rourke in his introductory remarks at a Saturday morning town hall, his voice hoarse from more than a week of nonstop campaigning. "We will all be behind the same candidate."

South Carolina has a long history of racially-based mudslinging in both the Democratic and Republican primaries. It is also one of the most pivotal places in the country for presidential candidates in both parties, but perhaps especially for O'Rourke.

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2019/03/23/beto-orourke-south-carolina-beating-trump/

[customerserviceguy]

1. Nobody

that I've talked to here has said they're interested in Beto. Most feel that Joe Biden was part of a successful Obama Administration that they'd like to see a return to.

[Demsrule86]

2. I love joe and he can send Trump packing.

[customerserviceguy]

4. He may be the only one who can

But, he's got to avoid a minefield of mistakes between now and the Democratic convention. He hasn't had as much experience with Presidential-primary-level debates as he may need, having dropped out fairly early in his previous two runs at the office. And, as we know, the target is always pinned to the back of the front runner.

The whole Stacy Abrams trial balloon smacked of desperation, in my opinion. Hopefully for his supporters, he's learned a lot being VP under a master campaigner.

[MyNameGoesHere]

3. If you talked to 5.0729 Million people I would be concerned

You haven't have you?

[customerserviceguy]

5. No

I'm only up to 4 million at this point...

Seriously, the few people I have heard mention Beto think he's a bit too flaky for their tastes. I'll admit, Beto has doubled his numbers here, but he's just barely edged out Jay Inslee.

Of course, I don't spend a lot of time in Columbia or Charleston, but I know what I've heard so far. But, it's early.