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Republicans resurface Beto O’Rourke DUI mugshot in St Patrick's Day attack Republicans resurface Beto O’Rourke DUI mugshot in St Patrick's Day attack
(2 months later)
In an attempt to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and attack a political rival, the Republican party tweeted a mugshot of the Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke emblazoned with a green leprechaun’s hat and the words “please drink responsibly”.In an attempt to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and attack a political rival, the Republican party tweeted a mugshot of the Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke emblazoned with a green leprechaun’s hat and the words “please drink responsibly”.
O’Rourke, 46, is a former US representative from Texas who narrowly lost a US Senate race against the Republican Ted Cruz last year. He announced his White House run this week.O’Rourke, 46, is a former US representative from Texas who narrowly lost a US Senate race against the Republican Ted Cruz last year. He announced his White House run this week.
The mugshot is more than 20 years old. In September 1998, O’Rourke was booked for driving while drunk, at what a witness called “a high rate of speed”, on a Texas interstate. He lost control of his car and hit a truck.The mugshot is more than 20 years old. In September 1998, O’Rourke was booked for driving while drunk, at what a witness called “a high rate of speed”, on a Texas interstate. He lost control of his car and hit a truck.
According to a witness, O’Rourke attempted to leave the scene. After he completed a court-approved diversion program, charges were dismissed.According to a witness, O’Rourke attempted to leave the scene. After he completed a court-approved diversion program, charges were dismissed.
He was also arrested by University of Texas El Paso police in 1995, for jumping a fence. Misdemeanor burglary charges were dropped. The arrests have been used to attack O’Rourke before, by opponents in both parties.He was also arrested by University of Texas El Paso police in 1995, for jumping a fence. Misdemeanor burglary charges were dropped. The arrests have been used to attack O’Rourke before, by opponents in both parties.
The picture tweeted by @GOP on Sunday was captioned: “On this St Paddy’s Day, a special message from noted Irishman Robert Francis O’Rourke.” It was followed by a more traditional attack, which called O’Rourke “a failed member of Congress [with] a far-left liberal record”.The picture tweeted by @GOP on Sunday was captioned: “On this St Paddy’s Day, a special message from noted Irishman Robert Francis O’Rourke.” It was followed by a more traditional attack, which called O’Rourke “a failed member of Congress [with] a far-left liberal record”.
On this St. Paddy's Day, a special message from noted Irishman Robert Francis O'Rourke. pic.twitter.com/JRjMEXhZRYOn this St. Paddy's Day, a special message from noted Irishman Robert Francis O'Rourke. pic.twitter.com/JRjMEXhZRY
“Beto”, a Hispanic diminutive of Robert, is O’Rourke’s nickname, given as he grew up in the border city of El Paso. Republican attacks on the Democrat around his name are also common.“Beto”, a Hispanic diminutive of Robert, is O’Rourke’s nickname, given as he grew up in the border city of El Paso. Republican attacks on the Democrat around his name are also common.
Sunday’s @GOP tweet met with fierce condemnation. Matthew Dowd, chief political analyst for ABC News and formerly chief strategist for the Bush-Cheney 2004 Republican presidential campaign, tweeted: “As an Irishman this is deplorable. As an American it is unpatriotic. As a human it is racist.”Sunday’s @GOP tweet met with fierce condemnation. Matthew Dowd, chief political analyst for ABC News and formerly chief strategist for the Bush-Cheney 2004 Republican presidential campaign, tweeted: “As an Irishman this is deplorable. As an American it is unpatriotic. As a human it is racist.”
Brian Lowry, Washington correspondent of the Kansas City Star, asked: “Irish Americans are actually a pretty big segment of the electorate. There’s 30m of us. GOP’s social media team thought it was a good idea to dunk on Beto by promoting negative Irish stereotypes on our holiday?”Brian Lowry, Washington correspondent of the Kansas City Star, asked: “Irish Americans are actually a pretty big segment of the electorate. There’s 30m of us. GOP’s social media team thought it was a good idea to dunk on Beto by promoting negative Irish stereotypes on our holiday?”
Jack and Zane skateboarded in to join us for breakfast in Madison. pic.twitter.com/5mGiHWENEIJack and Zane skateboarded in to join us for breakfast in Madison. pic.twitter.com/5mGiHWENEI
In a campaign appearance in Madison, Wisconsin, on Sunday, O’Rourke said there was “nothing” he had not already revealed about his past that could hurt his candidacy.In a campaign appearance in Madison, Wisconsin, on Sunday, O’Rourke said there was “nothing” he had not already revealed about his past that could hurt his candidacy.
After signing a skateboard, the candidate was asked if he had ever taken LSD. He said he had not. He also promised to stop saying “fuck” while campaigning, especially in front of his children.After signing a skateboard, the candidate was asked if he had ever taken LSD. He said he had not. He also promised to stop saying “fuck” while campaigning, especially in front of his children.
“Great point,” O’Rourke said. “I don’t intend to use the F-word going forward. Point taken, and very strongly made … We’re going to keep it clean.”“Great point,” O’Rourke said. “I don’t intend to use the F-word going forward. Point taken, and very strongly made … We’re going to keep it clean.”
Biden unsuccessfully ran for the nomination in 1988 and 2008, and his campaign is likely to be dogged by controversy after allegations from several women they were left feeling uncomfortable by their physical interactions with him. If successful, Biden would become the oldest person to be elected president in US history. But bolstered by his legacy as Barack Obama’s vice-president, Biden is expected to be the early frontrunner. Bennet raised his national profile earlier this year when the senator, typically known for his congeniality, delivered a fiery speech on the Senate floor, accusing Republican senator Ted Cruz of shedding 'crocodile tears' over the government shutdown.
Biden unsuccessfully ran for the nomination in 1988 and 2008, and his campaign is likely to be dogged by controversy after allegations from several women they were left feeling uncomfortable by their physical interactions with him. If successful, Biden would become the oldest person to be elected president in US history.
Now in his second term as mayor of New York City, De Blasio is a hometown foe of Donald Trump's running on the message that there's plenty of money in the country but it's in the wrong hands. With a progressive track record but a chorus of critics in New York, can this Democrat overcome his late start and win the chance to take on Trump?
Booker first made a name as the hands-on mayor of Newark. Known for his focus on criminal justice reform and impassioned speeches on immigration, he has though been criticized for ties to Wall Street.Booker first made a name as the hands-on mayor of Newark. Known for his focus on criminal justice reform and impassioned speeches on immigration, he has though been criticized for ties to Wall Street.
Buttigieg wants to be the first openly gay millennial president. A Harvard graduate and Rhodes scholar, he became the youngest mayor of a mid-size US city at the age of 29. As a Navy Reserve lieutenant he deployed to Afghanistan while serving as mayor. Buttigieg wants to be the first openly gay millennial president. A Harvard graduate and Rhodes scholar, he became the youngest mayor of a mid-size US city at the age of 29. As a Navy Reserve lieutenant he deployed to Afghanistan.
Castro casts himself as an antidote to Trump and the adminstration's hardline immigration policies. The grandson of a Mexican immigrant and raised by single mother, the 44-year-old Democrat is one of the most prominent Latinos in Democratic politics.Castro casts himself as an antidote to Trump and the adminstration's hardline immigration policies. The grandson of a Mexican immigrant and raised by single mother, the 44-year-old Democrat is one of the most prominent Latinos in Democratic politics.
He has delivered his message of pragmatism to voters in all 99 of Iowa’s counties since he officially kicked off the race in July 2017. The multimillionaire banking entrepreneur wants to build a big-tent party that appeals to independents and moderate Republicans.He has delivered his message of pragmatism to voters in all 99 of Iowa’s counties since he officially kicked off the race in July 2017. The multimillionaire banking entrepreneur wants to build a big-tent party that appeals to independents and moderate Republicans.
An Iraq war veteran who has vowed to run a campaign focused on issues of “war and peace”. Gabbard made history as the first Samoan American and the first Hindu elected to Congress. But she has drawn criticism for meeting with Syria’s president Bashar al-Assad, and progressives are wary of her past conservative views on on social issues. An Iraq war veteran who has vowed to run a campaign focused on issues of 'war and peace'. Gabbard made history as the first Samoan American and the first Hindu elected to Congress. But progressives are wary of her past conservative views on on social issues.
Years before the #MeToo movement, the New York senator was leading efforts in Congress to combat sexual assault in the military and on college campuses. The former corporate lawyer has embraced a slate of economic ideas supported by the party’s progressive wing.Years before the #MeToo movement, the New York senator was leading efforts in Congress to combat sexual assault in the military and on college campuses. The former corporate lawyer has embraced a slate of economic ideas supported by the party’s progressive wing.
At 88, Gravel will be the oldest candidate to be run for the nomination. However, according to his campaign, the staunch non-interventionist is not running to win, but to challenge Democratic orthodoxy on foreign policy. Will this little-known quixotic figure succeed?
Harris is one of Trump’s fiercest critics, and has built a national reputation grilling administration officials during their confirmation hearings. A former state attorney general and the daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica, Harris believes she has the unique profile to take on Trump.Harris is one of Trump’s fiercest critics, and has built a national reputation grilling administration officials during their confirmation hearings. A former state attorney general and the daughter of immigrants from India and Jamaica, Harris believes she has the unique profile to take on Trump.
Before he served two terms as governor of Colorado, the 67-year-old Democrat worked as a geologist for a petroleum company. After a lay off, he switched careers and opened a successful brewpub in Denver that helped to revitalize the city’s downtown.Before he served two terms as governor of Colorado, the 67-year-old Democrat worked as a geologist for a petroleum company. After a lay off, he switched careers and opened a successful brewpub in Denver that helped to revitalize the city’s downtown.
Inslee is running as the “only candidate who will make defeating climate change our nation’s number one priority”. As the country experiences more powerful hurricanes, scorching wildfires and submerged coastlines, polls show public concern is growing.Inslee is running as the “only candidate who will make defeating climate change our nation’s number one priority”. As the country experiences more powerful hurricanes, scorching wildfires and submerged coastlines, polls show public concern is growing.
On Election Night 2018, Klobuchar coasted to a third term as senator in a state Trump almost won. Next morning she was on every short list of potential presidential candidates. Supporters say her success with rural voters makes her a formidable candidate in the Rust Belt, while her calm demeanour provides a clear contrast with Trump.On Election Night 2018, Klobuchar coasted to a third term as senator in a state Trump almost won. Next morning she was on every short list of potential presidential candidates. Supporters say her success with rural voters makes her a formidable candidate in the Rust Belt, while her calm demeanour provides a clear contrast with Trump.
Facing long odds, Messam, the son of Jamaican immigrants to the US and a former receiver for the Florida State Seminoles football team, is tossing his hat in the ring anyway. The 44-year-old businessman became Miramar’s first black mayor when he was elected in 2015. 
The Harvard educated Marine veteran arrived in Congress with a bang, after unseating a nine-term Democratic incumbent in a Massachusetts primary in 2014. Moulton has continued to make waves by calling for 'generational change' in Democratic leadership and supported an effort to block Nancy Pelosi from becoming House Speaker in 2018.
A one-time guitarist for an El Paso punk band called Foss, O’Rourke had kept a relatively low profile as a three-term congressman with little name recognition. He rose to national prominence during the 2018 midterms, when his bid to unseat Senator Ted Cruz garnered unprecedented grassroots support and a historic fundraising haul.A one-time guitarist for an El Paso punk band called Foss, O’Rourke had kept a relatively low profile as a three-term congressman with little name recognition. He rose to national prominence during the 2018 midterms, when his bid to unseat Senator Ted Cruz garnered unprecedented grassroots support and a historic fundraising haul.
Elected to Congress in 2003 at just 29, Ryan represents the blue-collar voters Democrats hope to win back in 2020. He won national attention when he challenged Nancy Pelosi for Democratic leadership in 2016. He has continued to push for a generational change in leadership. 
Sanders turned a long-shot, anti-establishment bid for the presidency into a “political revolution” that energized the party’s progressive base. His political career began nearly 40 years ago, but it wasn’t until his 2016 run that Sanders became a national figure as a new generation of Democrats – and 2020 contenders – embraced his populist economic policies.Sanders turned a long-shot, anti-establishment bid for the presidency into a “political revolution” that energized the party’s progressive base. His political career began nearly 40 years ago, but it wasn’t until his 2016 run that Sanders became a national figure as a new generation of Democrats – and 2020 contenders – embraced his populist economic policies.
Raised in Iowa and California, the 38-year-old Democrat would be among the youngest candidates in the race. Swalwell serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence investigating Russian collusion, a position that has earned him frequent appearances on cable news shows.
Her sharp criticism of Wall Street and big corporations has made Warren a favorite among progressive activists, and she will campaign on a message of a rigged economic system and income inequality.Her sharp criticism of Wall Street and big corporations has made Warren a favorite among progressive activists, and she will campaign on a message of a rigged economic system and income inequality.
This is not the spiritual guru and a new age author’s first foray into politics: in 2014, she mounted an unsuccessful congressional bid in California. Her entry adds some star-power to the race that may attract more celebrities.This is not the spiritual guru and a new age author’s first foray into politics: in 2014, she mounted an unsuccessful congressional bid in California. Her entry adds some star-power to the race that may attract more celebrities.
A former tech executive and entrepreneur running the longest of long shot campaigns centered on the perils of automation. His central plank is a plan to give every American adult a salary of $1,000 per month, paid for by a tax on companies that benefit the most from automation.A former tech executive and entrepreneur running the longest of long shot campaigns centered on the perils of automation. His central plank is a plan to give every American adult a salary of $1,000 per month, paid for by a tax on companies that benefit the most from automation.
Lauren Gambino, Sam Morris and Martin BelamLauren Gambino, Sam Morris and Martin Belam
In his concession speech to Ted Cruz last November, O’Rourke spoke of the importance of tolerance and inclusion. In conclusion, he said of his supporters: “I’m so fucking proud of you guys.”In his concession speech to Ted Cruz last November, O’Rourke spoke of the importance of tolerance and inclusion. In conclusion, he said of his supporters: “I’m so fucking proud of you guys.”
About 400 people listened in a coffee shop as O’Rourke spoke. Wearing a St Patrick’s Day necklace featuring green cabbage, the candidate said he had coffee not beer with his breakfast.About 400 people listened in a coffee shop as O’Rourke spoke. Wearing a St Patrick’s Day necklace featuring green cabbage, the candidate said he had coffee not beer with his breakfast.
“Although,” he said, “it can be justified as an O’Rourke on St Patrick’s Day to do that.”“Although,” he said, “it can be justified as an O’Rourke on St Patrick’s Day to do that.”
Beto O'RourkeBeto O'Rourke
RepublicansRepublicans
US politicsUS politics
St Patrick's DaySt Patrick's Day
US elections 2020US elections 2020
DemocratsDemocrats
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