Beto O'Rourke Says Vanity Fair Cover Reinforced 'Perception of Privilege'

[brooklynite]

New York Times

WASHINGTON — Former Representative Beto O’Rourke attempted to revive his flagging presidential campaign on Tuesday, saying his failure to acknowledge the advantages of running for president as a white man who has led a life of relative privilege was a mistake.

Appearing on ABC’s “The View,” Mr. O’Rourke said his statements about his wife and his decision to begin his 2020 bid with a glossy photo shoot in Vanity Fair reinforced “the perception of privilege” that has dogged his campaign during its early weeks — prompting criticism even from his own wife that his comments “sounded flip.”

“I have my work cut out for me to be a better person and ensure that I’m more mindful to the experiences that others have had,” he said. “No one is born to be president of the United States of America, least of all me.”

Mr. O’Rourke’s appearance was part of an effort by the former Texas congressman to reset his campaign, which has struggled to maintain the kind of energy that built a national following for his unsuccessful Senate run last year. Since former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. entered the race, Mr. O’Rourke’s polling has plummeted into the low single digits both in national surveys and in the early voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire.

[Indygram]

1. Very misleading article...but there's an actual VIDEO for that...

Link to tweet

[Andy823]

3. Not really impressed with Beto

He should have run for the Senate.

[Indygram]

4. People need to stop saying that...

There is a woman running for that seat and people should support HER.

[Andy823]

9. OK

He shouldn't run for the senate, but I am still not impressed by him.

[RLG]

11. Please stop!

It's supporters of others that may push me into supporting him and I am still undecided (I'm still waiting to hear from Stacey Abrams).

I hope you made the same post regarding Steve Bullock, who decided to run for President instead of run for the Montana Senate seat.

[msongs]

2. lots of ppl have the privelege of being on vanity fair nt

[femmedem]

5. I think he handled that exceptionally well.

He listened. He didn't get defensive. He acknowledged mistakes sincerely. He didn't say, "I'm sorry you perceived it that way." He answered the women's questions exactly the opposite of how Trump would have answered them.

[ecstatic]

6. FFS, stop over-apologizing and over-sharing everything!

He looks weak and indecisive. Just try again in 2028. I'm willing to give him another chance, but not this time around.

[Indygram]

7. That's bull crap

And the article isn't an accurate reflection of the actual interview...which I posted the relevant clip of.

[cwydro]

8. He's been apologizing practically since he started.

I’m not impressed.

[RLG]

13. Funny, isn't that what Biden is doing regarding the crime bill and Anita Hill?

He's apologizing as well.

[RLG]

12. By that time AOC will be the next candidate.

You strike while the iron is hot.

[Honeycombe8]

10. He has a gift for politicking. But this doesn't seem to be his time.

I don't think it's a privilege to be in Vanity Fair. Maybe people who are jealous of that would say that, but I assure you they'd jump at the chance.

I like him. But what happened to his campaign, IMO, was an ill timed entry, and Mayor Pete, who took the slot of the captivating newcomer.

[RLG]

14. Would Mayor Pete be another candidate if he wasn't gay?

This isn't gay bashing, but politically I cannot tell Buttigieg and O'Rourke apart.

[Honeycombe8]

15. If you can't tell the difference between them politically...

you haven't checked their websites or statements concerning issues.

But all Democrats support generally the Democratic Party Platform, differing mainly in execution of the policies or the solutions.

Ultimately, President candidates are chosen in large part because of leadership qualities, charisma, and people skills, along with politicking skills. Because leaders have that ability to get people to follow them. It's not the exact policies and programs, it's the person's leadership qualities.

There are also physical characteristics that tend to win Presidential elections. Not always, but a definite tendency.

[RLG]

16. TBTH, they are practically the same.

Buttigieg is a smoother, slicker performer. O'Rourke seems more authentic to me.

But, I am unsure that the mayor of a city of 104,000 people can become President. Yes, Trump became President, but do you think Buttigieg can bring both parties together?

[Honeycombe8]

17. It comes down to leadership qualities.

That is subjective to a point, then objective when it becomes apparent that the majority of people will follow one over the other.

Currently, that is Biden.
Then Sanders.
Mayor Pete is more favored than Beto right now...but not significantly, now that the newness of Pete is wearing off.

Pete is advg height or short, I think. Beto is tall and about 8 years older with some broader political experience. Pete's experience is limited, but is of the executive sort.

No one has grabbed my full attention so far. I don't expect that to happen.