Off the top of my head @cml750 @ROXRAN @Space Ghost @Astrodome are all folks I consider to be good faith actors. I have rarely if ever seen them be dishonest, obtuse, etc. They can be wrong (even to the point of near absurdity) but that's a different matter. There's a few others who probably used to qualify but have since turned so cynical that their entire mode of operation here is just trying to get a rise out of liberals which is boring at best.
Regardless of how people feel about Abbott, the reality is is that there's enough people who would vote for him purely because he's a Republican and they would never vote for a Democrat. Sadly, this is the state of Texas politics.
I'm not sure what being a national figure would look like for him. The only national election to run in is President. And he can't get any credibility to run when he is unemployed. He could get an appointment to a federal agency, I suppose, but he seems like not a bureaucrat. He could be a pundit, but he'd quickly get annoying and be reviled. He could go live in New Mexico a while and then run for office there. I think that's what he should have done instead of running for president.
It's been so long since I've seen anything from cml I can't even remember his style of posting. I consider Space Ghost very weird, but not necessarily conservative exactly. He is probably posting in good faith. Honestly, I go back and forth on Astrodome. Roxran posted this when Ruth Bader Ginsburg died- For that, and many other psychopath-lite comments, he can **** all the way off.
Running for POTUS was such a big mistake for him. Not running against Cornyn was a second mistake. When (if I guess) he loses to Abbot that will all but end his political relevance. He hasn't served in the Biden admin, hasn't held a statewide office and has lost two high profile campaigns and didn't show up for the third (POTUS).
It will only end his career if someone better in Texas comes along and replaces him (much like how Buttigieg ate his lunch in 2020), but that is unlikely. He'll have a solid shot at Cruz in 2024, but will likely miss again unless something Obama level insane happens to boost D turnout. If the Dem Presidency slot is open in 2028 he will make a solid try at it. After that it might be lights out, buy hey, Biden was a late bloomer too. Circumstances beyond control dictate so much of this.
Hey may run against Cruz in 24, but by then he will be a two time state loser and will be seen more like Chris Bell than as a real candidate. Running for POTUS in 2028 after he's lost THREE TX state races and a POTUS race would be particularly juicy. Biden was a late winner for the POTUS race, but in the meantime he was a powerful senator and a vice president. Beto will be have gone 10+ years without doing anything but giving some fun speeches.
Like I said, America forgives and forgets. Beto has stepped in a pile of dung a time or two, but he's staying around and somewhat relevant, which is often the hardest thing to do. I agree that if he loses in 2024, it will be hard to argue he's a legitimate contender for Prez in 2028, but charismatic people who can raise money are not to be underestimated in politics.
Actually, I read an article that looked at election history and apparently, people who lose twice are almost never successful in subsequent elections. There are exceptions, of course, but as a general rule, America sees unsuccessful candidates as losers.
Beto blew his wad too early The Presidential Run was a collossal blunder I think Coryn was the shot he should done next Or Something more active Should have rolled back his gun position Rocket River
I'm told that Beto has done a lot of party mechanics work before this campaign and that he's been good for organizing the state party and running voter registration efforts. Don't know to what degree that's true. But, it is possible to be useful without winning.
That's what his supporters look like on this board Have you seen DD? Lol. Jabba the hut Jr. No pride on how they look. Just talk pn the internet all day.
@DonnyMost has mentioned a couple times that voters are forgiving ..... they won't forgive / forget "we're coming for your guns" .... Not in Texas they won't. All Abbott has to do is play that clip a few times .... game set match. Beto has a better chance of winning a nationwide election than one within the confines of Texas.
