It’s a new day, it’s a new time. In politics. A new larger generation of voters. The millennials. Voters looking for new faces. The younger the better. Persons they can relate to, persons they can trust.
Robert Francis “Beto” O’Rourke appears to be one of them. Age 45. A 3 time elected Congressman from Texas. Running as a Democrat for the U.S. Senate. Against a formidable opponent. Republican Ted Cruz.
A strange background. Perhaps a today background. A Columbia University graduate. Captain of the crew team. A pony tailed punk band performer. FOSS. Traveled the U.S. in a van with 3 other band members.
Presently, a 3 time elected member of Congress. Today, as a member of Congress short hair, neatly attired, etc.
A progressive. He is viewed as not your ordinary every day politician. Different. Says it like it is. No bullshit.
He already has visited all 254 Texas counties. Is in the process of revisiting them.
A legend already. Many say the feeling following his town halls is as it was in Iowa with Obama in 2007.
Texas is solid Republican. Next to impossible for a Democrat to be elected. The feeling is Beto might do it. He is only one point behind in the polls today.
Politicos believe that even if Beto loses, he should be considered a viable candidate for the Democratic nomination in 2020.
Not so foolish. Lincoln lost his Senate bid in 1858. Two years later, elected President.
Staying with politics for a moment, the elective process has gotten down and dirty. Always less than clean. Now so low politicians have to look up to see bottom.
There were two other times when elections were this bad. The 1850’s prior to the Civil War. Free or slave state? The other the 1968 Presidential election. Vietnam boiling. Conflict in the streets.
In each instance, candidates vindictive. Dirty.
We are already into it this election season. In the Florida governor race, Ron De Santis use of the word “monkey” while talking about his opponent the African-American Andrew Gillum. Last night in a debate in the New York Democratic governor primary, Cynthia Nixon’s attack on Andrew Cuomo.
Locally, Margaret Romero will be the run off candidate against Teri Johnson for Key West Mayor. Romero beat her closest opponent by 28 votes.
The Chart Room first last night. John bartending. Kevin at the bar. Kevin a strong Trump supporter. We went at it for a half hour. It’s fortunate we are friends.
Met Helen and Dan. They visit Key West frequently. Have a home in Jensen Beach also.
I liked Helen the second we met. She told me she reads my blog every day! Her husband affirmed her representation.
Dan sells fish in Key West. A distributor/wholesaler of fresh fish. His customers primarily restaurant chefs. He has been doing this type work in Key West for 8 years. He is affiliated with Independent Seafoods.
The tariff wars have piqued my interest in the fish industry and our exports to China and other places. I was interested in what Dan had to say.
Fun people. They have 5 children and 1 grandchild. An extended marriage. The ages of the kids run from somewhere in the 30’s down to 13.
Met Roxanne. I heard her mention the Jersey Shore from the other end of the bar. The best beaches in the world!
She and her husband Ed vacationing from Long Valley, New Jersey. Staying at the Pier House. I asked how she liked Key West. She exclaimed with great enthusiasm, “I love it!” I then learned she had only arrived in the afternoon. It did not take her long to recognize how special Key West is.
Roxanne is Director of Sales for Brother Sales. Ed a retired Vice-President for an electronic company.
They have 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
I was hungry. To Blue Macaw for ribs.
Ran into Mary and Doug. Both tour guides. Doug at the Hemingway House and Mary at The Little White House. I listened to them exchange war stories. Interesting.
Today is thursday August 30. I am sure.
Enjoy your day!