This archive report was first published on 17 August 2019.
El Paso Shooting Shifts O'Rourke's Campaign Focus ¶
Following the tragic shooting at an El Paso Walmart, former Representative Beto O'Rourke returned to his hometown to grieve and support his community. However, he soon emerged as a fiercer presidential candidate, calling President Trump a white supremacist and urging journalists to connect the dots between the El Paso killings and Trump's anti-immigrant language.
While some Democrats expressed support for his White House bid, others urged O'Rourke to focus on Texas and run against Senator John Cornyn in the 2020 election. In an interview with The Times, O'Rourke stated that he was even more determined to pursue the Democratic nomination and oppose Trump.
On Thursday, his campaign announced a reset, abandoning the traditional approach and planning political activities around directly confronting Trump. O'Rourke emphasized the need to be clear and strong in calling out Trump's actions and taking the fight to him.
Meanwhile, other Democratic candidates continued to push forward with their policy proposals. Julián Castro unveiled his 'People First Economic Plan for Working Families,' which includes a pair of new wealth taxes to provide relief to working families. Elizabeth Warren released her plan on curbing gun violence, which includes measures such as requiring background checks and creating a federal gun licensing system.
As the 2020 presidential race heats up, candidates are facing increasing scrutiny over their policies and actions. O'Rourke's reset and the continued push for progressive policies are likely to shape the course of the election.
Key Dates: ¶
- August 2019: El Paso shooting
- August 2019: O'Rourke's campaign announces a reset
