Beto and politics
Nailed it
Regarding “ ‘Beto’ the enigma enters race a bit early” (Outlook, Monday): While I normally disagree with columnist Ruben Navarrette Jr. (yes, Iam a Trump supporter), I commend him on a very well-written column on O’Rourke. He hit the nail on the head concerning “Beto.”
Mary Basden, Houston
Ratings boost
Navarrette’s righteous indignation about Beto O’Rourke would have been laughable if it wasn’t so hypocritical. He’s miffed that the Fourth Estate seems to favor Beto and stand opposed to Trump. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, he suddenly feels the pinch.
Let’s cast our mind back to the Republican primaries in the last presidential election when a certain candidate by the name of Donald Trump was often times described as always “sucking up the oxygen in the room,” so much so that he didn’t have to spend significant money on TV ad buys because newspapers and TV stations were running all over themselves to cover the next loquacious thing he had to say.
While the likes of Jeb Bush and even Hillary Clinton could never break through the noise created by Trump and all the circus he left in his wake, various news media seemed to pursue his lead down every available rabbit hole.
Ego Agbasi, Houston
O jealousy!
One wonders if it’s malice or envy that motivates, Ruben Navarrette Jr., in his ongoing vendetta against announced presidential candidate, Beto O’Rourke. Navarrette’s second hatchet job on this impressive El Paso native whose star has risen brightly in the crowded Democratic Party presidential primary field, seems driven more by pique than by any substantive position points.
Navarrette also insults the intelligence of Mexican-American voters by suggesting they would be deceived by the “Beto” moniker. He should stop pontificating from the rarefied air of his ivory tower and rub elbows with the people of Texas who can see what a splendid candidate for president we have in O’Rourke.
Jim Greenwood, Houston
Simply engaging
Regarding “O’Rourke stumps in Iowa, stumbles with approach” (Front page, Monday): A new voice and a new face, has just entered the presidential race. Though his hands may wave and flare, Beto O’Rourke is a breath of fresh air. This new face and exciting voice, may turn out to be the Democrats’ choice.
As O’Rourke was off to a thrilling start, Donald Trump verbally picked him apart. But, after all is said and done, this engaging young man could have Trump on the run.
JoAnn Lee Frank, Clearwater, Fla.
Policy positions?
Regarding “Losers running for Democratic nomination” by Marc A. Thiessen (Outlook, Thursday): I followed Robert Francis O’Rourke during his Senate bid. At that time, he also refused to talk specific policies or policy platforms. Instead he concentrated on catchy phrases such as we are not Democratic or Republicans, only Texans.
If he has no plans for his policy or refuses to disclose them. he’s not up to the job that he claims, “Man, I’m just born to be in it”
In Texas we have a phrase for that kind of person, “All hat and no cattle.”
Mike Smyth, Katy