Congressman Beto O’Rourke visited Greenspoint area of Houston, Texas on February 10th. Given the size of the crowd on a rainy and muggy Saturday, this man likely has a chance. There were even independents and Republicans who showed up.
Community activist Keshia Thomas, the woman whose photograph in 1996 saving a KKK member from a mob, was Life Magazine Picture of the year, organized the event. Keshia had north of 500 people in the hastily arranged town hall. She had six days to put it all together. She announced it on Politics Done Right with Egberto Willies and was off to the races.
Before the event started, I gave Beto a short interview as he had to get started quickly to make a subsequent activity.
Beto O’Rourke Interview
Keshia Thomas introduces Congressman Beto O’Rourke
Beto O’Rourke gives his remarks
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee lays high praises on Beto O’Rourke
The Dean of the State House Senfronia Thomas: We are not going back
There was a Q&A period where attendees posed various questions. Two specific issues challenged O’Rourke on a philosophical level that he handled well and without hesitation. Those each merited their posts. One of the attendees asked O’Rourke about his definition of Universal care. He answered it in more detail than he did in the interview I gave him earlier. A DACA supporter and a DACA recipient, a few questions later, challenged Beto on his vote for the 2-year budget that did not have any relief for the DACA folk.
The town hall was well organized and well attended. If Beto O’Rourke continues to draw those kinds of crowds, it is clear he just may be the next Senator from Texas.