Eyes are on Robert “Beto” O’Rourke as the Democratic race for the U.S. Presidency continues.
After stating he wouldn’t run for president following a midterm-election loss to Senator Ted Cruz in 2018, O’Rourke flip-flopped just four months later.
Beto Behind in the Polls
Just four more months after that, O’Rourke had a brief yet unfortunate run-in with conservative activist Ashley St. Clair. St. Clair, who noticed O’Rourke at an air port, decided to “congratulate him on his polling numbers.”
“Zero percent in the polls” refers to the St. Anslem, New Hampsire poll released on July 16th.
Beto’s 2018 senate run was admittedly impressive, given the state of Texas’ staunch conservatism. After all, he managed to raise $70million and capture 48% of the vote against Cruz.
Unfortunately for Beto supporters, his popularity has taken a sharp downturn since running for the Oval Office. In fact, he has failed to break out of single digit polling numbers.
First Debates
Beto’s performance bore no beneficial impact on his poll numbers.
Prior to the first round of debates, Beto was contending with as high as a 6% in the polls. Afterwards, his popularity plummeted among those interviewed to between 1 and 3 percent.
Likely, this is due to the surging popularity of Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, and Pete Buttigieg.
Additionally, Joe Biden still has a tight grip around the Democratic Party’s moderates. Biden, though he faltered after the debates, has recently regained all of the polling support he lost.
Second Debates
Beto does have an opportunity to turn the tides. Although he is once again featured on the first night of debates, the first night is far more “star studded” than before.
Beto will be taking the stage against;
- Sanders,
- Warren,
- Buttigieg,
- Klobuchar,
- Williamson,
- Ryan,
- Bullock,
- Delaney, and
- Hickenlooper.
The above list may as well be listed in order of popularity. Sanders, Warren, and Buttigieg by far command the most base and financial support of the Democratic cast.
Former US Representative Robert O’Rourke could capture more support with a stellar performance, but all signs points to the contrary. The wind just isn’t in his sails.
Dropouts
California U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell was the first to drop out of the presidential race on July 8th.
With twenty Democrats taking the stage, he was the first of many. This begs the question, when will the others follow?
Chances are that Beto will not survive far beyond the second debates with his current level of support. Tulsi Gabbard, Andrew Yang, and Marianne Williamson are just a few of the other candidates who are receiving little to no campaign support.
This likely is a make-it-or-break-it situation for their campaigns.
