Beto Sounds Lukewarm On 2020: ‘I Don’t Want To Raise Expectations’

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 1: Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-Texas, speaks during the Congressional Hispanic Caucus news conference on the child migrant humanitarian situation on Friday, Aug. 1, 2014, as House Republicans work to... UNITED STATES - AUGUST 1: Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-Texas, speaks during the Congressional Hispanic Caucus news conference on the child migrant humanitarian situation on Friday, Aug. 1, 2014, as House Republicans work to come up with immigration legislation to pass before the August recess. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call) MORE LESS
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Democratic superstar Beto O’Rourke is sounding less and less enthusiastic about a presidential run, even as his would-be competitors announce their intentions and construct campaign infrastructure.

According to a Friday Politico report, he said that his decision could still “potentially” be months away. He added that he’s still feeling the effects of his grueling Senate race against Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) just months ago.

“There’s an exhaustion after an effort like that, that I’m learning is hard to recover from,” he said. “You don’t snap back.”

O’Rourke has also been just considering the prospect of a run for far less time than most of the other Democrats in the field.

“I just am not there to do that,” he told Politico. “I just don’t want to raise expectations or commit people if I’m not committed and if I haven’t made that decision yet.”

“Have I satisfied my commitment to this country and our democracy? That’s the question that we’re trying to think through right now,” he added. “Is there something that I can contribute beyond what I have already done that the country needs right now. Do I need to be back in the arena?”

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Notable Replies

  1. Love ya, Beto, but indecisiveness is not going to make you electable

  2. At some point, a non-decision essentially becomes a decision. This was not well thought out, regardless of which way he’s leaning.

  3. You’re young and we’ve got how many Dems that say they’re going to run for the office? I can understand that you might be worried that this is your opportunity being afraid people might forget you now that you’re not in a public office.

  4. “Is there something that I can contribute beyond what I have already done that the country needs right now. Do I need to be back in the arena?”

    Just sayin’

  5. I am glad he is holding off a presidential run. I hope he will make another Senate run, for Cornyn’s seat, whether the incumbent runs or not.

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