O'Rourke and Biden, signaling presidential bids, would infuse centrism into Democratic field (WP) [View all]

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/orourke-and-biden-nearing-a-potential-collision-course/2019/03/12/299d1288-44c4-11e9-90f0-0ccfeec87a61_story.html

O’Rourke and Biden, signaling presidential bids, would infuse centrism into a left-leaning Democratic field
By Matt Viser
March 12 at 6:27 PM

Beto O’Rourke is youthful and has little political record to run on. Joe Biden is older and has a decades-long history, featuring both successes and mistakes. O’Rourke brings a viral energy to his campaigns, while Biden, still figuring out how to harness social media, specializes in the traditional stemwinder.

Both men are sending increasingly strong signals they will soon enter the presidential race — additions that would instantly reshape the Democratic primary debate. While left-leaning candidates have drawn the bulk of the attention so far, the popular former vice president and the charismatic former Texas congressman share one key characteristic: a more centrist brand of politics that could appeal to an untapped portion of the party electorate.

In targeting many of the same voters, O’Rourke and Biden could be on something of a collision course. They would present the party with the sharpest test yet of whether it wants an exciting but untested face or a more traditional, experienced standard-bearer to take on President Trump. And both would be trying to lay claim to the Obama legacy, with Biden touting his eight-year partnership in the White House and O’Rourke attempting to tap into the cultural and generational zeitgeist as Barack Obama did more than a decade ago.

Biden, speaking Tuesday to the International Association of Fire Fighters, was greeted with chants of “Run, Joe, run!” He told the union members he appreciated their energy and urged them to “save it a little longer — I may need it in a few weeks.” He added jokingly, “Be careful what you wish for.”


Katie Baron decorates a Beto O’Rourke mural with items from the South by Southwest festival before taking a photo Friday in Austin. Baron commissioned the mural to be done by artist Chris Rogers. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)


Joe Biden told the firefighters union members he appreciated their energy and urged them to “save it a little longer — I may need it in a few weeks.” (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)


Former Texas congressman Beto O’Rourke takes a photo with a traveler as he arrives at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Friday. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)


Former vice president Joe Biden takes a selfie with members of the International Association of Fire Fighters. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)


O’Rourke with family members at Austin’s Paramount Theatre on Saturday for the screening of the documentary “Running with Beto.” (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)


A Biden supporter at the firefighters gathering Tuesday. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)