Freddy Gray Freddy Gray

Run, Beto, run

The Texan congressman is a Bobby Kennedy for gym bunnies

issue 24 November 2018

 Washington, DC

 

Ever since America elected Donald Trump, Democrats have fantasised about removing him from power. They’ve dreamed of impeaching him; of declaring him insane; of arresting him and parking tanks on the White House lawn. They’ve even thought about assassinating him. If you think that is an exaggeration, look up Kathy Griffin, the feminist comedian, who held up a severed Trump head, Isis-style. She wasn’t joking. The latest fantasy is more democratic in spirit. It takes the form of Texan congressman Beto O’Rourke, a skinny former punk-rock guitarist who oozes star appeal. Progressive America is going wild for him. Beto is now widely talked about as the man to beat Trump in 2020. In the midterms, he lost a close Senate race against Ted Cruz in Texas, but nobody seems to hold that against him. American politics revolves around looks and money; Beto looks good and attracts lots of money.

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