Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke said Tuesday he regrets launching his campaign on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine because it reinforced “that perception of privilege.”
During an appearance on the ABC’s “The View,” the former Texas congressman addressed the criticism he faced for telling Vanity Fair that he was “born to be in” the 2020 race.
“There are things that I have been privileged to do in my life that others cannot,” Mr. O’Rourke said on the show. “I have my work cut out for me to be a better person and ensure that I’m more mindful to the experiences that others have had.”
Mr. O’Rourke agreed that the profile, which followed his 2016 defeat to Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, made him look entitled.
“I think it reinforces that perception of privilege,” he said. “And that headline that said I was born to be in this. In the article, I was attempting to say that I felt my calling was in public service. No one is born to be president of the United States of America, least of all me.”
Mr. O’Rourke also apologized for his past controversial comments about his wife taking on most of their child care responsibilities.
“In a real ham-handed way, I was trying to acknowledge that she has the lion’s share of responsibility during this campaign,” he said. “I have a lot to learn, and I still am.”
Mr. O’Rourke previously apologized for the same comments in March, admitting that he had benefited from “white privilege” throughout his life.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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