The Texas Democratic Primary filing deadline is December 9th, 2019, for the March 3, 2020 primary.
However, there are at least four candidates now running against Cornyn, so while BETO could certainly enter the race, he would have to beat the other four in the Primary. He would easily be in a runoff after March 3rd, and likely against MJ Hegar.
If he jumped in soon, then there is a chance one or more of the current four would drop out before December. But, I think Hegar and Royce West would remain. BETO would not have a clear field if he jumped in.
What if he is covertly running for the Cornyn seat while still appearing to run for president? He mentioned that he was going to spend less of his time on the early voting states. Freeing him to spend more time in Texas and on other contexts more relevant to a Senate race, while all the well getting the national attention that a presidential candidate gets.
I had said to @tena that this existential crisis would (a) put Trump in the rear-view mirror after he’s gone and (b) give purpose to millions upon millions of bored and distracted American young men**
** Those on the Left are in Daddy’s basement with videogames
Those on the Right are armed and menacing
Both sets are bored, purposeless and arrogant
Both sets possess the American capability of maniacal energy when they have a purpose
He is an empty suit with no qualifying experience to be President. It is not surprising he has failed to go above 2% on the national stage against strong candidates with real experience.
I don’t think anyone who knows and reads history qualifies as an “empty suit,” and having been elected to Congress several times is not insignificant. You could’ve called Bob Kennedy “unqualified” when he was running for President–he’d only ever been AG(for his brother) and counsel for Joe McCarthy when he declared his candidacy in l968.
I bet Beto realizes he has little chance of winning the Democratic presidential nomination, but that doesn’t mean he should drop out asap.
I suspect he figures he can help the Democrats win back the While House and the Senate by being willing to say things against tRump that are too edgy for the real frontrunners to risk saying, even though many in the Dem base agree. The media loves edginess.
He’s got until December to decide whether to challenge MJ Hegar for the chance to go up against Cornyn.
Because she’s nowhere as charismatic or well known by people in Texas. There are too many low info voters in Texas who have never heard of her and Texas is an incredibly expensive state for ads so we also need a great fundraiser.
Really trying to figure out the long-term plan here. He’s failed to get any traction thus far. I guess he knows he’s got no chance at the nomination, so he’s just trying to become a high-profile Democrat regardless. Keep doing the media rounds in spite of having no “brief”, as lawyers say.
It’s not at all cynical. It is a political reality. BETO tried to fly too close to the sun.
His run against Cruz was OK, but Cruz is the most despised asshole in the Senate. (other than Moscow Mitch).
Cornyn’s beliefs and votes are awful, but he is not thought of as an awful person. He is actually very pleasant if you get past his politics.
It is interesting that Cornyn quickly put up an AD against Royce West when West jumped in. But, Cornyn has ignored Hegar. His polling must tell him something.
West has some credentials. Attorney, currently in Texas Senate from Dallas area, etc.
Hegar is a former Air Force Vet, business person, teacher and sued the Air Force over the combat exclusion. She wrote the memoir, Shoot Like a Girl, which describes her service in Afghanistan. She nearly beat longstanding Representative John Carter in last election.
Beating Cornyn will not be easy, even as Texas drifts blue.
I think Beto missed his best chance at the Cornyn seat when he opted to go for POTUS instead. The national race could actually hurt his chances in Texas if he decided at the last minute to come back and tussle with MJ and West.
I think Beto’s restart here is a focus on the veep slot for whoever prevails in the Dem primary. They have to work a white guy in somewhere, contrary to popular belief.
