Almost no one in the Senate likes the senator from Texas, Ted Cruz (R), yet he keeps getting re-elected. This time, though, he may be in trouble. It looks as if a newcomer has been closing in on Cruz.
For the first time in 24 years, someone has visited all 254 counties in Texas. Not only that, it happened on a six-day 1,600 mile road trip to hear what Texans have to say.
Beto O’Rourke is a Democrat. He took 62 percent of the Democratic vote, and he will have an uphill challenge. If O’Rourke wants to beat Cruz, he has to pull in Texans who have not gone Democratic in more than 20 years.
The 45-year-old congressman played bass in a punk rock band in the 90’s, but he is a fund-raising wizard. In the first three months of 2018, he brought in $6.7 million. What was really amazing is, he refuses to accept corporate dollars.
O’Rourke just offered Cruz a deal he may have trouble refusing. He sent a letter to the senator with a remarkable proposal. He wanted to have six debates, with two of them in Spanish.
Jody Casey is O’Rourke campaign manager and added that these debates need “media reach to all twenty markets in the state.” She wrote, according to The Texas Tribune:
‘I would like to begin direct coordination of the debates with your campaign team between now and May 10th. Please advise my best point of contact on the Cruz campaign team.’
Cruz was an Ivy League university star debater, and he uses that to his advantage. He has also appeared before the Supreme Court nine times. His spokesperson, Catherine Frazier released a statement that said:
‘Sen. Cruz has said he’s looking forward to debates. We are considering all possibilities in front of us and will be working with potential hosts and the O’Rourke campaign to determine the best platforms available so that Texans from all corners of the state can hear from the candidates directly about their views for Texas’ future.’
O’Rourke told his supporters he “would love” to “talk” with Cruz in front of a Texas audience:
‘While I know that Cruz is a master debater, a very skilled politician, a very shrewd person … I would love the opportunity to talk about what all of us have been doing together over the course of the campaign and what we want to achieve for Texas. I’m very much looking forward to it.’
There was just one problem. O’Rourke is fluent in Spanish, and Cruz is not.
When reporters asked Cruz if he would debate his opponent, he said “sure:”
‘(I am) sure we’ll see a debate in this race. I am not remotely afraid to debate left-wing liberal socialists.’
O’Rourke has gone on the offensive with Cruz and wants “every voter:”
”We certainly want a debate. (He wants to) make sure that we give every voter in Texas the opportunity to know the difference between the two candidates, their track record of service, what they hope to achieve for the state of Texas and the way in which they are campaigning.’
Featured Image via Getty Images/Mark Wilson.
