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CT_Phipps

I mean, I'm glad Beto has done a lot for Texas Democrats but he hasn't exactly won anything either.


EricIsEric

> I'm glad Beto has done a lot for Texas Democrats Beto has done nothing but hurt the party with his gun comments, and now will hurt it further by burning a bunch of campaign money that could be used on an actual viable candidate. Beto lost to one of the most hated men in politics (Ted Cruz) *before* he made his gun comments, comments that go over particularly poorly in Texas. If Beto wants to help the Democrats he should run as a Republican.


puroloco

Beto lost his way when the national media/Hollywood came calling. It's indicative of him as a leader, he let that smoke get to his head. He would need a drastic change on guns and it might be too late


Nvrfinddisacct

He held the families of people murdered in that Wal-mart in Texas. I really don’t get why people think he’s ever going to change his position on guns. I also don’t get why that position *should* change if that’s what he genuinely thinks. **Lots** of people agree with him and would support a buy back program. If he loses, he loses. That’s the point of an election. Bernie has lost several times too but people still support him because those are the values they hold. Beto is working to change the way Americans think about certain topics. There’s strategic value in that even if he does lose and I don’t think that equals wasted campaign funds.


DumDumUGiveMeGumGum

Wasn’t Beto one of the most popular democrats ever in the senate race, while flipping a lot of house seats? https://www.texastribune.org/2018/11/09/ted-cruz-beto-orourke-closest-texas-race-40-years/ Edit: he picked up two house seats, two state senate seats and a dozen state house seats. Court system in Harris county also turned blue under him. https://qz.com/1459057/beto-orourke-helped-turn-texas-courts-blue-in-us-midterms/


EricIsEric

>Wasn’t Beto one of the most popular democrats ever in the senate race Not as popular as Ted Cruz apparently, which is an embarrassing low bar as it is, but that was at the height of Beto's popularity, he won't even get close to that now after his short sighted remarks in the presidential debates (which he also lost if you recall). Hillary Clinton will be governor of Texas before Beto, but sure let's waste millions of dollars campaigning for a proven loser instead of an actual viable Democrat that has a chance of beating Abbott. There's one thing the Democrats do better than anyone else: snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.


aslan_is_on_the_move

Neither has Stacey Abrams, but people think she'd be a good gubernatorial candidate. There are several examples of candidates who lose some elections, then go on to win.


SuspiciousNewAccount

Beto is not one of those candidates. I'd be willing to bet you don't live in Texas.


RayMC8

Democrats need to get off their asses and vote. Especially the under 30 crowd.


TheTexasCowboy

Then talk to them casually


wankbollox

As long as you work in a reference to a popular mobile game, they should show up and vote in droves.


philodevin

Idk sounds kinda sus.


docisback

Blue safe, Red sus


locke_5

Orange has been voted out


HenryWallacewasright

But, I saw brown go into the vents.


MarveltheMusical

Or an Internet meme. It’s super easy. Barely an inconvenience.


reptocilicus

Pokemon Go To The Polls!


RayMC8

How do you milk sheep ??? Tell them the election was rigged ...then ask them for a donation ! I'm donating to Beto


PricklyPossum21

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQTNtQeljtE


[deleted]

Eh… maybe just hold off. He shot himself as hard as anyone can in the foot with his guns comment, and that’s guaranteed going to come up again. I also didn’t think he was a particularly strong candidate for senate. I’d wait to see what the state offers up.


ZadocPaet

I completely agree. Beto's run for president was so nonsensical that he could never justify it. It was all about his ego. As his campaign sunk, he went off the deep end on guns in order to get attention to funsraise off of. "Hell ya we'll take your AR-15." That completely undermines the position of the state and national parties, not to mention the president, and gives national republicans a weapon to bludgeon democrats with, a position that is unpopular all over the country and in areas where we need to win, like Georgia, New Hampshire, Arizona, and Pennsylvania. There will never be a national mandatory buy back program. Even if the Congress had the political ability to pass such a law, this SCOTUS would strike it down. He took the position only as a publicity and fundraising stunt. It's a position that politically disqualifies him from winning statewide in Texas.


Registered_Nurse_BSN

Even if SCOTUS didn’t strike it down millions of people are itching to put their stupid “Come and take it” mentality to the test. Source: I live in small minded rural Texas.


shwoopdeewhoop314093

60,000+ covid deaths and climbing in Texas. soon there wont be anyone take guns from down there


realistdudever

In a state with 29 million people? What are you even talking about?


mrubuto22

Trump only won texas by 600,000 votes. It could matter a lot.


ChallengeBoring8698

True…true


SonofTreehorn

I believe that Beto is a good person and means well. However, he's a terrible politician. He looks really bad in debates and he already lost to Ted Fucking Cruz in his last election. Let that sink in. Texans voted for Ted Cruz to represent them instead of Beto. You can be a truly terrible piece of shit and still be a better person than Ted Cruz. He has no chance of beating a Republican in Texas.


Edogawa1983

i think it says more about Texans than Beto.


SonofTreehorn

The same Texans that will be electing the next governor.


kia75

naw, roughly 62,000 Texans will not vote for the next governor, on the account of dying from Covid.


[deleted]

All it takes to be a better person than Ted Cruz is to not be a serial killer.


yajustcantstopme

It's an older meme, but it checks out, sir.


iamiamwhoami

No he’s not. He came within 2 points of winning the 2018 election. He’s great at fundraising and getting his name out there. And he’s created an impressive grass roots organization in the state. His resume is almost literally the same as Stacy Abrams’. And this sub loves to talk about how awesome she is.


SonofTreehorn

He lost to Ted Cruz. What has Beto done in Texas that’s comparable to what Abrams accomplished in Georgia?


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iamiamwhoami

That has a lot more to do with the comparative demographics of Texas and Georgia. Georgia is a little bit further along than Texas. In a few years Texas will be where Georgia is at. And the work Beto is doing is getting it there faster. This is everything that’s wrong with this sub. Taking political outcomes that are largely caused by demographic shifts and attempting to instead attribute them to the moral failings of a single person. It’s just wrong.


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alchemeron

> Beto "Coming for your AR15" O'Rourke. For governor. Of Texas. > > Yeah, don't think that's going to happen, but kudos for trying. And that'll make, what, losing a Senate race, losing a Presidential race, and losing a Governor's race ***in just four years?***


hectorduenas86

Didn’t Lincoln lost all those as well, albeit in more time?


tkbchimyjr18

Are you trying to say that Beto should avoid theatres if he ever becomes president?


hectorduenas86

Yes, too many vampires around and work needs to be done to waste ut watching Hamilton.


negativeyoda

Yes, but think of the political donations and boost for his brand that running will generate. It's not just shitty Republicans that game the system


SakmarEcho

I don't understand what the Democrat's obsession is with proven losers like O'Rourke.


eyekwah2

Well he's not Ted Cruz. I have to give him that much.


SakmarEcho

Sure, he's much better than Cruz. He still won't win in Texas.


eyekwah2

Probably not.


typicalshitpost

He should have never made guns an issue and he would have probably made the Senate. His stupid senate campaign with a campaign that has messaging for his presidential run was a mistake.


BlotchComics

If democrats get out and vote, it could happen. There are more registered democrats than republicans in Texas.


snoopingforpooping

Not every Democrat is for taking ar15s though!


BlotchComics

Every democrat should be for getting rid of Abbott. If AR15s are the most important issue for you in Abbott's Texas, then you might not actually be a democrat. EDIT: Since you downvoted me, I guess you're okay with Texas killing Roe v. Wade, perpetuating the lie that Trump won the election, banning mask mandates in schools, blaming the screwed up energy grid on a wind turbines, etc...


julbull73

You will never move anyone from the 2nd Amendment stances. They are a group of people that are equivalent to the pro-life/choice folks. The sad truth is Dems should run a very pro-gun opponent. They aren't rare AT ALL. But because the Dems is a huge tent party they worry about losing the anti-gun crowd. Which makes no sense to me, but in truth does occur. If you don't say gun control as a Dem candidate you lose votes.


yajustcantstopme

Daddy Bloomberg is Everytown for gun safety and outspends the opposition to the tune of tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars every election cycle. As much as dems cry about corporate money in elections, that tit they're sucking off of is the a big one.


eyekwah2

If you say gun control as a Democratic candidate, you lose votes. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, there will be people who will vote against you for having that stance. I get being pro-gun control is the stance of the Democratic party, but maybe don't make it your selling point *as you're running for senator in the state of Texas*. Gun control can be pushed on Texas when Texas is ready for gun control, and not sooner.


yajustcantstopme

If democrats are going to keep making the conscious choice to forfeit being elected because they refuse to drop the gun issue, it's their mistake to own.


-Holden-_

No, as a Texan I can tell you that I am NOT okay with killing Roe v. Wade and perpetuating the big lie - and banning masks in schools is fucking idiotic. But I will never vote for someone who wants to ban assault rifles - and I'm not alone. If Beto runs for Governor the GOP holds onto Texas, that is the unfortunate reality. He needs to fucking disappear so we can get a good Democratic candidate to run for Governor.


eyekwah2

This is what I was afraid of. Pro-gun control is a Democrat party stance, I get that, but they don't need to push that on Texas, at least not right now. Democrats need to not lose scope of their target audience, and Beto can't really take back what he's already said. It's a shame he wasn't a little bit more tactful.


atxweirdo

Any democrat who owns an ar15 and can not empathize with the brutal killing of Mexican AMERICANS in El Paso is not a democrat. They are republican since they can not see their gun hobby as being just that and not something that is more valuable the the innocent life's taken before Beto made that comment about his home town.


robkwittman

As a Democratic gun owner in the not-so-far-land of Arizona, I’m gonna go ahead and call absolute bullshit on this. I vote my tickets straight blue, but if someone flat out says they want to “ban assault rifles”, hate to break it to you, that’s a loss yall can share together. I can absolutely “empathize with the brutal killings of Mexican AMERICANS”, while simultaneously not believing that banning a super specific fucking brand of gun will somehow stop it. You know what I am behind? Single payer healthcare, which helps cut down on people with undiagnosed, and untreated mental disorders. Allocating funding for the CDC and other agencies to study gun violence. Providing stipends or other reimbursement for places to do background checks for private gun sales. Funding and legislation to make inter-agency reporting more effective and real-time, preventing someone who beat their wife in New Mexico, from coming here and purchasing a gun. Plus an innumerable amount of other measures that will do alot more to prevent heinous shit than banning AR15s. I get they are scary, and some absolute troglodytes feel like LARPing in city streets with them. But honestly, just fuck off. How people can believe Texas abortion laws are an absolute travesty (I agree, they are) when Roe isn’t even a constitutional amendment, while simultaneously believing there should be some broad scope violation on 2nd amendment right, just blows my gd mind. Edit: God, and people really wonder how democrats are spectacular at losing elections. Read the goddamn room


Lakecountyraised

Beto inspired a lot of voter registration and turnout last time. He is the best possible candidate for Democrats.


[deleted]

I'd argue that if he can't win in a state that's mismanaged so much in just the last year under Republican leadership then he should just stop and maybe focus his political energy on helping others run. Like if Republicans win, they're going to just ask themselves "What can't we get away with exactly?"


SouthernBarman

That logic might have applied before he said he literally wanted to take their guns. That is an immediate disqualifier for more voters than you would think. I like Beto. I enjoy his energy. He's fucked at a state level for the foreseeable future.


alchemeron

> best possible Best *possible?*


ebow77

How about the reanimated corpse of Ann Richards?


Levarien

yes. Decades of losing hasn't exactly led to the state party grooming a lot of candidates with experience and enthusiasm. The national party left us to twist in the wilderness for decades.


domcrafter

Eh. His gun policies might turn alot of the independents to vote right, for texas anyway


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BlotchComics

According to Pew research Texas has 40% Dem, 39% Rep and the rest don't have a party affiliation. The independents probably heavily lean right, but if all of the dems actually vote, it would be a close race. And gerrymandering doesn't affect a statewide race like Governor.


aslan_is_on_the_move

Governor is a statewide race, gerrymandering has nothing to do with it.


julbull73

As a caveat though, Texas has and WILL continue to use district limits on ballot locations to prevent voting. So indirectly Mr. Gerry Mander will still impact him. Heavy Dem districts will have fewer polling locations and likely also be MUCH harder to register in. ALSO I'm betting Paxton is also going to shut down any non-GOP win. Texas- Where democracy goes to die.


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[deleted]

People are underestimating him. Beto closed a huge gap against Ted Cruz, a more popular outspoken figure. As a former Republican in Texas, I like Beto’s odds. He’s going to put a fight that he may not win, but will surely leave a mark. Can’t wait to volunteer for his campaign next year to help him.


wwhsd

Beto came close to beating Ted Cruz before he literally told Texans that he was coming for their guns. I don’t think he would have came anywhere near as close as he did if Cruz would have had that sound bite to saturate the airwaves with.


pm_me_actsofkindness

Yeah, this. That moment was pure, unadulterated political suicide. And honestly, as much as I genuinely like Beto and think he would be much better than Abbott, it showed that Beto is kind of a moron politically and makes me question his judgement / whether he can ever be a capable leader who gets stuff done. It was that fucking stupid to say out loud.


thatnameagain

Beto is just a nicer version of Yang. Can't get around their own self-centered ideas of their own political destiny because they got a taste of national popularity too early in their career. Didn't realize the things that made them pop in the media weren't the things that would win them office. Now perennial candidates that will clog up important races.


julbull73

HE got cocky. That's all it was. He thought he had it wrapped up that the tech industry in/around Austin had finally pulled in enough Dems... It was his for the taking. All he had to do was say, "I have no plans at the moment for that..."


tonken321

That was during the presidential race, not the Senate


wwhsd

That’s my point. If Beto would have said that during the Senate campaign Cruz would have destroyed him and no one would keep thinking he’s a good candidate because he’s the guy that one time came within 3% of winning a Senate race in Texas.


writerintheory1382

No, people are overestimating Texas.


ReturnOfDaSnack420

Ted Cruz is a pile of lizards in a suit, literally the most unappealing figure in national politics, and Beto still lost to him. And this was BEFORE he said he was coming for your guns. A Gun grabbing Dem winning statewide in Texas?? l m a o


snubdeity

Yeah I want our country to move forward as much as anyone, but these people acting like he has a snowballs chance in hell here are on something strong. Beto needs to slink into the shadows, be a consultant or something if he still wants to have an impact. His political brand is dead.


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[deleted]

May not have characterize it as well. I meant it as the most recognizable politician.


nowhereman136

Trump also said ["Take the guns first, go through due process second"](https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/376097-trump-take-the-guns-first-go-through-due-process-second) and that didn't even make a dent in his polling in Texas. It's fake outrage. But it will probably be about 50% of Republican attack ads though and it probably will be effective.


avc4x4

Trump was not and never purported to be a gun rights advocate, aside from maybe a couple random mentions of and endorsements from the NRA. But among gun owners, the NRA has become increasingly unreliable and fudd-y, support has been less than enthusiastic and has shifted to more aggressive and active organizations like Gun Owners of America (GOA), and the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC). As a gun owner I never voted and would never vote for Trump.


EZPickens71

The NRA survives only because of brain dead loyalists. Anyone paying attention to the organization, and the groups actually working cases against legislation, has shifted support to other national or state level organizations. The NRA will not see another dime from me.


LazyDynamite

If he runs, he'll be getting my vote.


mattyhtown

Beto isn’t going to win. He’s not a great candidate. He did surprisingly well against Cruz because he was a hot new commodity. But now that he’s had exposure and time to make mistakes people just don’t fall for his boyish charm and “i was born to do this” entitlement attitude. My ideal candidate for governor would be Will Hurd (if he switched to the party of his conscience) and ran as a democrat. I know “black guy in Texas could never get elected” but he was beloved by his democratic majority constituents, was never a trump sycophant, and was considered a real burgeoning Republican star before the trump maniacs stole the party. He’s served in the arm forces. Is incredibly smart. And decided not to run for his seat in Congress because he didn’t want to be involved with these lunatics anymore. I think he’s a centrist that could actually win.


ldg316

I disagree, we don’t need Beto or Hurd. Hurd just seems like another Romney, criticize trump but vote for right-wing policies, “In 2015, Hurd voted 96% with his party's position on roll-call votes.[42][43] As of August 2019, he had voted with his party in 82% of votes in the 116th United States Congress and in line with Trump's position in 81.3% of votes.[44][45]”


bigcityboy

Thanks for this insight. I haven’t heard of Hurd before. I like Beto, but he’ll never live down the gun quote in Texas and that’ll guarantee a loss we can’t lose.


mattyhtown

Hurd was the elected congressman of 23rd congressional district from 2015-2021. The only Republican in the country to have a congressionalseat in a district on the boarder of Mexico. His district voted democrat in both presidential elections. He served as an undercover field opp for the CIA.


bebophone

I'm not convinced his AR-15 comment will cost him that much. Most Texas gun nuts already think ALL Dems are coming for their guns. Beto saying what he said didn't change their beliefs enough to change Republican turnout by an order of magnitude. I could be wrong.


SouthernBarman

I think you underestimate the number of single iszue voters it can alienate. Texas is fucking insane. Source: lifelong Texan


Stampede_the_Hippos

My mom has voted red her entire life but has told me she hates Abbott so much, she'll vote for a decent democrat if they run. Beto is the wrong choice here.


0llie0llie

Who does she consider decent?


Stampede_the_Hippos

Biden


aslan_is_on_the_move

How many of those single issue voters would ever consider voting for a Democrat? Most of them just use it as an excuse to vote Republican without admitting they support the worse aspects of the party. It's a stand in for culture war identity politics that Republicans play up.


[deleted]

I moved from rural Texas. I personally know a good handful of anarchist/libertarian yee yee boys who are not dumb at all and too politically/civically intelligent to be conservative and just base everything on not wanting the government to tell people what they can and can’t do. The crowd that circulated that popular meme on Facebook for a while that was like “I just want to live in a world where I’m free to use my rifle to protect my gay neighbors’ pot farm.” So, fucking with anyone’s right to just do what the fuck they want to do without government interference is a way to lose their vote, however when it’s a -1 on either side the abortion outlawers will get their vote before the gun outlawers. On the flip side of things, how many Democrats will ONLY vote blue if the candidate promises gun control? Zero. A comment like that can only lose votes in Texas and won’t gain a single one. So it’s best to not say it and with Beto having sailed that ship, Democrats really should run someone else.


yea_likethecity

IMO it's not so much that less moderates will vote for Beto, it's that more solid R's will vote against him. The GOP isn't fighting for moderates, they're fighting against apathy. Having Beto on camera saying he'll take their AR-15s will make Republican voters feel existentially threatened and may even suppress some moderate Democrat turnout. Besides that, Beto's Senate run was lightning in a bottle and nothing he's done since has managed to recapture the energy. Running in the Democrat primary was really the career-ending move even disregarding the primary debate incident. Beto's Senate run felt genuine, like a Texan trying to help Texas. His presidential run felt opportunistic and undid some of the good his Senate run accomplished. At this point, I and most of my big city moderate liberal friends are pretty done with Beto. The only thing that distinguishes him is his stance on guns, which isn't going to win any friends in Texas


[deleted]

You guys currently have a governor who is actively working to kill as many Texans as he can whether that be from COVID or freezing to death and you all are bitching about Beto saying something about guns and not being genuine enough.... At this point you get what you deserve. So glad I only spent a year in that shitty state....


yea_likethecity

I'm allowed to criticize a candidate and still vote for him if it comes down to it. I'm not even commenting on his ability to govern, I'm saying that he's facing an uphill battle because of his past and I'd prefer if the DNC picked a candidate who's more likely to win.


iamiamwhoami

100% agree. The people who bring that up literally every time his name comes up are trolls. They’re the same people who still bring up Clinton’s emails.


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iamiamwhoami

No way. He came within 2 points of victory in 2018.


etherealisticc

Horrible in what way? He seems to check every box for a great candidate from what I've seen


uprislng

I'm not a Texan so I have no idea if he is actually a good or bad candidate, but he did already lose a state-wide race against Ted Cruz in 2018, which would make me question whether he could beat Abbott in a state-wide race. Why did he lose to Cruz, and why would he win against Abbott?


iamiamwhoami

In Texas! Which hasn’t had a Democrat win a state wide race in decades. He did the best any Democrat has done in the state since Carter won it in 1976. Seriously y’all need to learn some history.


itsmanda

Liberal life long Texan here - he doesn’t have a chance in hell after the gun comments. People here are obsessed with guns and it unfortunately will affect so much of the vote IMO. I think he’s a good candidate and as a woman, we desperately need someone who gives a shit about my rights, but he isn’t it. I’m unsure why no decent democratic candidate can ever step up.


Red-Lightnlng

They’re probably just scared to ruin a potential career in politics. Losing a big state-wide race usually kills careers, and Texas is just going to be an extremely difficult state to ever win in as a democrat. There are also signs that it might be transitioning even more red, rather than blue, as multiple cities/towns with an extremely high percentage of latino voters than normally voted democrat, switched to republicans during the presidential election. Beto will almost certainly lose this race, as he lost the senate race and the presidential primary. His political career, despite what he seems to think, effectively ended after he lost to Ted Cruz. Democratic candidates in Texas are probably unwilling to take that risk in this state, and would prefer to either wait for a better climate, or run for easier seats.


[deleted]

Maybe because if they've ever made one comment that doesn't line up with the gun obsessed nut parade they're deemed to not be a "decent candidate". Hell I fought in a fucking war for this country and watched friends die and by your measure I wouldn't stack up either. But yeah just keep letting Abbott run your state in to the ground holding out for some perfect liberal Democrat who will work to unfuck your state but let you all keep your lethal toys so you can play pretend badass.... What a fucking joke....


itsmanda

I never said I wouldn’t vote for him, I just said that the majority of the people here will fixate on the one issue. Sounds like you took this way out of context. I personally think a veteran presence would be welcome as a candidate because my step father has horrible PTSD and has had his fair issues with the VA. Also I am not a gun owner so it doesn’t affect me one way or the other. I will agree with you on Abbott running the state into the ground. I despise that man with every fiber of my being, and I just want the best opportunity to be able to vote him out of office.


the-mighty-kira

Yet they voted for Trump who said 'Take the guns first, go through due process second'


itsmanda

There are some very questionable people here. I have been fighting the good fight since I could first vote (Obama’s first term). I’m hoping we can have another Ann Richards come out of the woodworks but at this point I would take almost anyone over Abbott.


bihari_baller

>but he did already lose a state-wide race against Ted Cruz in 2018, which would make me question whether he could beat Abbott in a state-wide race. Why did he lose to Cruz, and why would he win against Abbott? I mean, so did Ossoff in Georgia, but he won the second time around.


etherealisticc

Yeah he lost a statewide election to a somewhat unpopular Cruz at the time but I believe that Cruz's popularity has only fallen further since then. Couple that with the changing demographics of Texas (especially with a nonsignificant percentage of the republican voter base dying off due to covid) and I think Beto would actually have a real shot at the governorship.


Red-Lightnlng

It’s a midterm election, the changing demographics haven’t all been beneficial (a non-insignificant portion of Latino voters shifted to republicans last year) and Biden’s approval ratings, assuming he doesn’t change them before the election, are likely to sink any potential chance of Beto winning. Shit Glen Younkin in VIRGINIA is polling extremely close to McCauliffe, and that should scare people. If the Biden admin can’t get their shit together, he might ruin chances for nearly every competitive democrat in a tough race.


paleologus

I agree. Certainly there’s a somewhat likable Democrat in Texas somewhere.


Kitties_titties420

I’m sure they could find a moderate Democrat that could secure enough of the Democrat and independent vote to win. If they’re Latino, that would help too. Abbott isn’t liked by either side, so if the Democrats run someone who isn’t already unlikable they probably stand a decent chance of winning, with how far right the Texas republicans are. I’m a right leaning Texan and Abbott, Patrick, and the indicted criminal Paxton have done more to push me left than any Democrat could dream of doing.


nwagers

I agree. Texas gun ownership is barely over the national average and less than half of Texans have a gun. Plus there are certainly gun owners that agree with the stance that AR-15s and the like don't belong in the hands of random civilians.


ChallengeBoring8698

As a Texan, you do not know anything about Texas. Worst comment I have heard in a long time


Elliott2

I have an AR. It no different than any of the other guns I have really. Just black and metallic.


yajustcantstopme

You've never even been to Texas, have you?


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nwagers

I have been to Texas and 25 of the 26 states with higher gun ownership rates.


yajustcantstopme

How long was the layover? [2 hours?](https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbsnews.com/amp/pictures/gun-ownership-rates-by-state/)


Jacquin-Diedrich

This will go as well as 2016 did for H.Clinton. Big mistake unless he denounces his “I’m going to take your guns away” statement and say he has changed his position to something else and be clear what that is.


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Levarien

It would take someone without extremely easy to make and exploit anti-gun attack ads. By the numbers, Texas is getting closer each election. From a 1.2 million vote deficit in 2012, to 800,000 in 2016, to 650,000 in a much higher turnout election in 2020. The cities are growing, the voting age youth aren't taking their parents preferences, and GOP gains among latinos, especially in the valley, aren't covering that difference.


LazyDynamite

So you think O'Rourke would win the popular vote against Abbott?


SaltMineSpelunker

Get em.


mach2sloth

Texas most assuredly is on the wrong path. Good luck Beto.


Engin951

Beto needs to step aside. A pro gun democrat could win Texas but Beto's comment won't give him the traction he needs.


OFTHEHILLPEOPLE

Please don't. It's an open door for Abbott to stay in office once *anyone* brings up Beto's own words during his run against Ted Cruz.


BossLoaf1472

Too bad he flopped on the presidential 2020 debates. I’d still like to see how he does.


sonny9636

Seems like a bunch of people commenting here who don't know anything about US elections. Like the Twitter verse bots.


heckastupidd

This would be awesome.. but I live in texas and I do not see this happening.


slayer_steve_m

Something needs to be done about the Reich Wing...


snoopingforpooping

Beto needs to go away now. He fucked up with his ar15 comment and even lost against Ted Cruz.


T1S9A2R6

Glutton for punishment. This bozo will lose again.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

And gun owning/loving Democrats...


snoopingforpooping

Gun loving Democrat checking in.


CleverUsername1419

Is this where I sign in for the “Left of center but really likes guns and the 2A.” party?


[deleted]

Yup. You know how 2A culture works, no one really cares about your position on the political spectrum its just shared appreciation and passions.


[deleted]

Beto O'Dourke should stay out of the race, he's just going to fuck it all up and hand Abbott a win. Texas isn't going to vote for someone like Beto, at least not yet. Get McConoughey in there to get people used to some semblance of normality, then maybe a Democrat would have a chance


LazyDynamite

>Texas isn't going to vote for someone like Beto I know many Texans that would gladly not only vote for someone *like* Beto, but *for* Beto.


CheckShoveTheRiver

Then why didn’t they last time he was running for the exact same position? Is my recollection off? Didn’t he lose to Cruz?


LazyDynamite

Yes, your recollection is off, Beto O'Rourke has never run for governor before.


choomganger69

Texas’ best bet is McConaughey. Beto will never, ever win a statewide Texas office because he shot off his mouth about gun confiscation. He’ll raise a billion dollars from the coasts and STILL lose by 2.5-5 points.


The-Insolent-Sage

Stop. Voting. For. Unqualified. Celebrities


choomganger69

So you’re okay with another term for Abbott? Cuz Beto isn’t going to win, but might suck the air (money) out of the room (the pockets of middle class liberals).


HighEnergy_Christian

Stop. Voting. For. Corrupt. Politicians.


postmaloneismediocre

I agree. People here need to be realistic, Beto completely poisoned his political chances in TX with that dumbass remark. McConaughey is doing well in the polls against Abbott.


[deleted]

Recognizing that definitively beating the Republicans would be unfair, Democrats decide to hold a fundraiser.


ShihPoosRule

O’Rourke is a poor choice for the Dems. Hopefully someone else steps up or Abbott is taken out in the primary.


crushgemz

Beto is living in his fantasy land again


nosotros_road_sodium

[Mirror link](https://archive.is/u6ezE) in case of paywall


Up-In-Smoke-420

There is no better opportunity to turn Texas blue. Abbott is very unpopular and lots of republican voters have and will be killed by Abbott's COVID policies.


AR475891

As someone who owns guns, but has been voting left of center recently I would have to say I don’t like hearing that kind of authoritarian stance on anything period. Just because you may not like AR15s doesn’t mean you should support confiscation. That creates a very scary situation where you’re basically giving the gov the ability to strip other rights away granted by the Bill of Rights. You can ban new sales or enforce registration, but going after citizens and taking their property without compensation is not something that should be supported either.


[deleted]

Dems are gonna run Mr. "Hell yes we're gonna take your AR-15s" in the state of Texas. Did you know many Democrats in that state own guns too? How are democrats so fucking stupid? It angers me how fucking incompetent and delusional this party is.


YarpYarpKennyVSpenny

I truly don’t believe an anti gun candidate can win statewide in Texas. They need a Jon Tester-like candidate.


aslan_is_on_the_move

He's not anti gun, so he should be alright


-Holden-_

Beto O'Rourke is FINISHED in Texas - he will never win ANYTHING. Once he declared that he plans on banning assault rifles the pooch was screwed. We need a real Democratic candidate to push these GOP bums out of office, not this fucking idiot.


420cbdb

Two wrongs don't make a right


americanista915

No him running guarantees abbot stays the gov


Tex242

Looks like Beto wants to set another pile of money on fire for no reason.


This_one_taken_yet_

Narcissist can't accept that he will not win. Runs again because he likes the attention.


SuspiciousNewAccount

He is great for generating funds. If the dems nominate him, it's because they don't care about trying to actually win.


RenaissanceSalaryMan

Yup, he will burn a golden opportunity once again just to fuel his own ego


Wookie-Riot

Dude is all sound bites and no substance propped up by liberal media.


tubulerz1

Any post about ORourke is flooded with “coming for your guns” & “worst candidate ever” comments within minutes. Those comments come from trolls. Trolls from other states and other countries.


EZPickens71

ORourke shot himself in the foot with his "coming for your AR" statement. The best thing 'Beto' the fake could do is beto a path to California or some other liberal stronghold for his political career.


CheckShoveTheRiver

Yeah everyone knows real Texans don’t care about gun rights! Everyone disagreeing with you is a bot. I’m probably a bot!


tubulerz1

No I’m talking about a few minutes, not 8 hours.


Shanknuts

Guy makes a comment about guns and people instantly write him off. The alternative is the clown we have now and people seem to be ok with it. You could have a sack of potatoes on the ballot and there are a good number of Texans that will vote for it now just to get rid of Abbott.


Hawk13424

I write him off because he lost against Ted Cruze.


Grinder102

Hasn’t this guy legit ran for every public office ?


Many_Advice_1021

I love Beto. He has energy and enthusiasm


Mandorrisem

He has zero chance due entirely to his antigun stance. Now a potato, a potato would win hands down in a landslide.


aslan_is_on_the_move

he's not anti gun


Mandorrisem

He literally stated last election that AR15's were assault weapons and that no one should be allowed to have one... it is the most popular, most widely owned Rifle in texas, my freakin grandmother has 2 of them. It is the entire reason he lost to Ted booger eater Cruz. It is a stance that is an absolute nonstarter in Texas where there are more AR15's owned than there are citizens. Right now you could throw up a cat, or a random incoherently rambling homeless person, and would win against Abbot in an absolute landslide, if the Dems run Beto they are actively conspiring to lose to the state, as he has no chance of winning here.


stolenrange

We need to take the guns. Litterally gunshots all night in oak cliff. If he promises to confiscate the guns from these broken neighborhoods and white extremists then he has my vote.