Julian Castro says he is no longer the other Texan' running for president; also iBeto news

[TexasTowelie]

At Austin rally, Julián Castro says he is no longer `the other Texan’ running for president


It was a sultry summer night in Austin, and the two Texas Democrats who are running for the Democratic nomination for president held overlapping rallies a dozen blocks apart Friday, each well aware of the other, but only one of the candidates acknowledging the competition between them, and the startling turn it took when they sparred at the first Democratic presidential debate in Miami on Wednesday night.

“A few months ago they were writing me off as the other Texan. But that is no more. I am THE Texan.” Julián Castro, speaking from the outdoor stage at Cheer up Charlies on Red River Street told a buoyant crowd of some 400 who had paid to see him at a small-dollar fundraiser for the Texas Democratic Party

Castro entered the race months ahead of former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke of El Paso. He had been planning a run for more then year. O’Rourke jumped in after a close but losing bid for the U.S. Senate against Ted Cruz in 2018. Every step of the way O’Rourke has overshadowed Castro in standing in the polls, crowds drawn, profiles written, and money, and expectations, raised.

That was until Wednesday’s debate when Castro, with a sharp-as-a-tack performance, upstaged O’Rourke, calling him out for not backing Castro’s plan to decriminalize illegal border crossings by repealing Section 1325 of the U.S. Code, which makes entering the US without papers a misdemeanor offense. The idea caught fire Wednesday and when the ten candidates at Thursday’s debate were asked to raise their hands if they supported repeal, Castro said, “by my count, nine out of ten of those folks” were on board.

Read more: https://www.statesman.com/news/20190629/at-austin-rally-julixe1n-castro-says-he-is-no-longer-the-other-texan-running-for-president

[onetexan]

1. Both of them are Texans & i like both candidates

So for Castro to say he is THE Texan makes no sense. Ive met & heard Beto in person. One off night's performance isnt enough to convince me he's not presidential material. Both candidates would make excellent VP choices. Both are well-spoken, brilliant leaders with strong upbringings, strong convictions re: public service & empathy for people.

If in the case they dont end up on the Dems ticket i'd like them to continue in public office - as advisors in the least.

[JI7]

2. .

[dalton99a]

3. +1. I have met both

Beto's popularity among Texas Democrats was hard earned and much deserved. Castro's machinations remind me of Gillibrand

[JI7]

4. it is interesting that Castro who had been getting positive national attention since before 2016

when he was even talked up as possible running mate for Clinton still hadn't seemed to get much support. and only now he is hoping the debates will do it.