Ted Cruz and the Texas GOP have now warned voters that @BetoORourke likes to (1) eat Whataburgers, (2) drink beer, (3) play in a rock band and (4) occasionally curse.
I’m sure this will all repel Texans, who are famously dainty. https://t.co/4kmuPIYrVb
— Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) September 3, 2018
You know the Repubs are worried when they start the blatant ratfvcking this early. Per the Dallas News:
A person masquerading as a volunteer for Beto O’Rourke apparently sent text messages to voters Wednesday to give the impression the Democrat’s Senate campaign was seeking help to take “undocumented immigrants” to the polls.
A spokesman for O’Rourke’s campaign attributed the texts to “an impostor,” the Austin American-Statesman reported, and said campaign officials were looking into what happened.
“Hi, it’s Patsy here w/Beto for Texas,” the text said. “Our records indicate that you’re a supporter. We are in search of volunteers to help transport undocumented immigrants to polling booths so that they will be able [sic] vote. Would you be able to support this grassroots effort?”
Word of the messages quickly circulated on social media, prompting the campaign to follow up with another text message explaining that the impostor had signed on as a volunteer and then sent the unauthorized messages…
Highlight of my night is hearing that a midterm candidate from the party that doesn’t hold the White House, who is massively out-raising the (unlikable) incumbent, is a point behind the incumbent, on Labor Day, _and that’s supposed to be bad news for the challenger_!!!!!
— Dana Houle (@DanaHoule) September 4, 2018
Even Chris ‘the Mad Bitcher’ Cillizza is excited — “Yes, the Texas Senate race is for real”:
Cillizza: It’s post-Labor Day. Is this race as close as most polling suggests?
[Texas Tribune CEO Evan] Smith: Well, it’s close, and more importantly it’s closer than nearly every general election race in Texas has been for several decades. There is general agreement among pollsters and political observers that O’Rourke is trailing by mid-high single digits. By contrast, the Democrat running for governor is behind by twice that amount or more. O’Rourke has raised more money than Cruz and has more cash on hand, meaning can he get his name ID up and his message out in a very expensive state. He is already getting tons of free media. But Texas is a red state, and that’s the mountain he has to scale. The odds are still against him, though they’ve improved…Cillizza: Cruz seems to be worried. They have started attacking Beto over being in a band, wearing a dress and a past (known) DUI. Is this a sudden panic?
Smith: They’re definitely sounding the alarm. Not sure it’s panic quite yet. O’Rourke is still relatively unknown, so they’re trying to define him in character terms before he can define himself. Oldest trick in the book. They’re betting that his younger, wilder days will be a turn-off. Hmm, where have I heard that phrase before? Oh, right, George W. Bush. Who won the presidency. For this strategy to be successful, you’d have to believe there are voters who are toying with voting for O’Rourke but won’t because HE WAS IN A PUNK ROCK BAND. I’m not sure this is a “Footloose” election cycle…
Ted Cruz was literally born in Canada but ok. https://t.co/U00NLPTiY2
— Evan 20XX (@evan7257) September 4, 2018
In a heavily edited video, new Ted Cruz campaign ad falsely depicts Beto O'Rourke saying he’s ‘grateful’ for flag burninghttps://t.co/Bu0HZVghzn
— Nathan McDermott (@natemcdermott) September 5, 2018
I will be doing a major rally for Senator Ted Cruz in October. I’m picking the biggest stadium in Texas we can find. As you know, Ted has my complete and total Endorsement. His opponent is a disaster for Texas – weak on Second Amendment, Crime, Borders, Military, and Vets!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 31, 2018
Now that Trump has set a bar for rally size being an electability measure, everyone will note how Beto's rallies will dwarf Cruz's as election day gets closer. Nice job!
— Schooley (@Rschooley) September 1, 2018
Saw a Beto bumper sticker in the Walmart parking lot. Still no Cruz swag. He’s definitely winning.
— Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) September 1, 2018
Okay, here’s one Cruz sign. https://t.co/tJHMgXom46
— Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) September 1, 2018
Texas Brawlin’ Open Thread: Betting on BetoPost + Comments (24)