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ALEXANDRIA, VA – Former representative Beto O'Rourke (D-Texas) stormed Virginia on Wednesday, claiming he was the first Democratic presidential candidate to campaign in the US. critical condition of Super Tuesday.
In an old Dodge Caravan, Mr. O. Rourke drove himself and his campaign staff into an old Dodge Caravan. He made eight stopovers during two days devoted to minority voters and elected the Democrats in the presidential elections before a decisive election in Virginia in 2019.
Democrats are looking to leverage their gains in 2018 during House races across the country by transforming the state House and Senate into Virginia this year.
In cafes, Mexican restaurants, backyards and congress halls, O'Rourke was caught unawares by state-level Democrats and met with local party leaders, whose support could give momentum to Virginia's presidential primary.
"As important as 2020, 2019 is setting the stage for all candidates," O'Rourke told a group of about 350 fans who filled a café Wednesday morning in Fredericksburg. "Let's make this commitment – whoever [the Democratic nominee is]We are doing everything in our power to make sure that they will defeat Donald Trump. "
Virginians do not have the habit of attracting attention as early in the primary process. The formerly reliable southern state of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has voted for the last three presidential elections, but Republicans are closely monitoring the state's legislative power.
Hundreds of people gathered at each stop to hear the Texas Democrat, who became a star at the last cycle when he almost toppled Sen. Ted Cruz
Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzCelebs begins to open his portfolio for 2020 Dems Hillicon Valley: Mueller report will be released Thursday | YouTube adds information on September 11 to Notre-Dame fire video | New details on the case against Assange | Thousands sign a petition to ban Trump on social media | The Conservatives are struggling with cutting-edge technology in the fight against the United States Government Trump leaves out an individual meeting with the Vice President: report PLUS (R).
O'Rourke has been one of the top fundraisers in the Democratic realm, but that has not yet translated into a wave of polls.
South Bend, Indian mayor, has eclipsed O'Rourke's star in recent weeks. Pete Buttigieg
Peter (Pete) Paul ButtigiegButtigieg responds to protests from protesters about "Sodom and Gomorrah". O 'Rourke refuses to sign a promise banning the fossil fuel money: conservatives back Moore for the Fed | The White House interviews other candidates | Trump, Dems spar the day of the tax | Budget keepers deplore "denial of debt" CONTINUED, another young candidate who has raised a lot of money and won rave reviews from Washington insiders and the media.
The tension of two days non-stop on the road manifested itself on O'Rourke. He nearly lost his voice and struggled to speak during his first stoppage on Wednesday morning in a stuffy warehouse behind the Pimenta cafe in Fredericksburg.
"I've talked a lot," O'Rourke joked.
But he delivered a campaign speech for one hour before leaving the scene, dripping with sweat. O'Rourke took selfies and signed autographs before leaving, then spoke with reporters in a dusty parking lot at the back.
O'Rourke answered questions from the crowd at every Wednesday event, especially women and people of color. He answered in Spanish, whenever he could.
O'Rourke also focused on important issues for African Americans and Hispanics, two key constituencies of the Democratic primary.
Race tensions ended in Virginia earlier this year when Governor Ralph Northam (right) and Attorney General Mark Herring (right) admitted to being blackface in the 1980s.
O & # 39; Rourke hammered President Trump
Donald John TrumpTrump mourns Bernie Sanders "crazy" after Fox News Trump town hall claims his supporters have been dismissed from Fox News town hall At night, Trump's defense puts an end to role played by the United States in the war in Yemen | Poland is preparing to negotiate on a basis called "Fort Trump" | Iranian legislators vote to call US forces in the Middle East terrorists MORE on immigration and other policies that he described as racist.
"We must use hate and racism where they exist, including the highest positions of power," O'Rourke said.
"Mexican immigrants are neither racists nor criminals. Muslims are not dangerous in themselves. The Klansmen and the Nazis and the white nationalists are not good people. The genius of this country has been the way we have incorporated people from all countries, all walks of life and all religions. Whatever the differences, do not let this man divide us or scare us, "he added.
In a Mexican restaurant in Dumfries, O'Rourke spoke out against voter identity laws, gender inequality, and drug laws that disproportionate black men in prison.
He lamented the rise of hate crimes and accused Trump of instigating violence against Rep. Ilhan Omar
Ilhan OmarOvernight Energy: Collins Receives More Donations From Texas Oil & Gas Industry Than Maine Residents | Interior Chief left meetings off schedule | The controversy over Omar jeopardizes the Ocasio-Cortez trip to the Freshman House Dems coal mine overtakes GOP in the race for money 100 days later, freshmen show that they are ready to fight MORE (D-Min.). Democrats are furious with Trump for publishing a video linking the Muslim legislator to the September 11 attacks.
O & # 39; Rourke also said that the country should attack the laws on "racism through racism".
But O'Rourke was equivocal when a woman asked him if he would support the repairs. He said that he would support a bill sponsored by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee
Senators of Sheila Jackson LeeGOP Reject the Booker's Repair Proposal Legislators Join Celebrities to Celebrate Grammys on the Hill Booker Introduces Legislation on the Creation of a Study Commission MORE repairs (D-Texas) to create a commission to study the issue, but that the discussion of reparations must begin "in a community by level".
Several supporters of the event said they decided to support O'Rourke after watching his viral video defending the NFL players at the national anthem last year.
O'Rourke said on Wednesday that the United States had never recovered from the "racist foundation" on which they were built.
"The most important problem, to which our criminal justice system is only a part, is the very foundation of racism in this country," he said, noting that "the wealth of the United States and the Commonwealth Virginia was built literally on the backs of those who were kidnapped in their home country and brought to this country and who had no hope or prospect of enjoying the fruits of their labor. "
Nevertheless, O'Rourke told The Hill that he did not think his allegations of racism against the president would negatively impact his ability to address Trump voters if he was the Democratic candidate for general elections.
O'Rourke said he would be happy to host a public meeting on Fox News Channel. He recalled that the first leg of his presidential campaign in 2020 was in a district that had voted for former President Obama in 2012, and then joined Trump in 2016.
And he noted that 500,000 people in Texas in 2018 shared their ticket between him and Republican Governor Greg Abbott.
"Everyone matters, everyone counts and we do not write anyone," O'Rourke said.
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