ABC’s Robin Roberts and Paula Faris say Beto O’Rourke’s failure to win over Texas voters portends an inspired 2020 presidential run — if he wants it.
Celebrity endorsements and donations couldn’t stop Sen. Ted Cruz’s re-election bid on Tuesday night but the talent at “Good Morning America” told their audience that “The Beto Effect” remains.
“Yes, O’Rourke lost, but we’re hearing about ’The Beto Effect’ still in effect,” Ms. Roberts told her colleague Wednesday morning.
“Texas Democrats who were hoping for a victory instead got hope for 2020,” Ms. Faris replied.
A graphic reading “O’Rourke loses but helps lift other Democrats” buttressed her point, the media watchdog NewsBusters reported.
“Okay. 2020, I know we’re just getting finished with 2018 but 2020 and you talked to Beto O’Rourke about the possibility of running for president,” Ms. Roberts began after the two covered the $110 million election.
“I asked [Mr. O’Rourke] if there was a scenario where he would run for president in 2020 or beyond and he said, ’no, period,’” Ms. Faris replied.
“GMA’s” take echoed the sentiment of Reuters on Tuesday, which tweeted: “Win or lose, Beto O’Rourke set to emerge victorious. Follow #Midterms2018.”
Mr. Cruz won the race with 52 percent of the vote compared with Mr. O’Rourke’s 48 percent.
“Tonight is a victory for the people of Texas,” the Republican said during his victory speech. “Tonight is a victory for all the men and women in this room and all the men and women across this state that poured your hearts, your passion, your time, your energy to rising to defend Texas.
“This election was a battle of ideas,” he continued. “The people of Texas rendered a verdict that we want a future with more jobs, and more security, and more freedom.”
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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