Congressman Beto O’Rourke (D-TX) and Senator Ted Cruz (D-TX) have been in a neck-and-neck race for Cruz’ seat in the Senate. CNN scheduled its debate ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. Then, something surprising happened.
Cruz was a master debater when he was at the elite Princeton and Harvard Law Schools and won national awards. Therefore, it would appear that O’Rourke might be somewhat nervous about appearing on national television October 18 with the senator for a town hall debate.
O’Rourke travelled to each of the numerous Texas counties — not to speak to the people, but to listen to them. Since then, he has ridden a wave of unexplained enthusiasm. Perhaps, his charisma was part of it, but he said that there was just something happening in the Lone Star state.
Cruz accepted the invitation to the opportunity. Then without giving any reason, he cancelled, according to a network official.
A new 30-second viral TV ad by film director Richard Linklater and created for the Fire Ted Cruz PAC may have had something to do with Cruz’ reluctance. It featured an old grizzled actor in a cap having a cup of coffee at a weather-beaten cafe and wondering why the senator did not balk at Donald Trump and the president’s insults. Instead, the actor said that Cruz was “kissing (his) ass.”
Instead of going back on the campaign trail, O’Rourke decided to appear alone for the one-hour town hall with CNN’s Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash. An hour alone on live television is a huge gift to the congressman just four weeks before the midterms.
The congressman will appear 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT at the McAllen Performing Arts Center. The center is located close to the US-Mexico border.
O’Rourke’s town hall sans Cruz is available for live streaming:
‘CNNgo and via CNNgo apps for Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, Samsung Smart TV and Android TV and on the CNN mobile apps for iOS and Android. The programs will also be available the day after they air on demand via cable/satellite systems, CNNgo platforms and CNN mobile apps.’
Featured image is a screenshot via YouTube.
