Since losing his Senate race against Ted Cruz, human string-bean Beto O’Rourke has demurred on whether he’s ready to run for president of the United States. But is that all there is to it? Could Beto already be campaigning for a 2020 run? And if not, is he doing okay, like personally?
Consider O’Rourke’s recent life choices, including growing out a salt-and-pepper beard, deciding to embark on a solo road trip across the country, and most recently, going to the dentist and choosing to interview his dental hygienist on video for Instagram.
The impromptu candid camera moment is one in a series of interviews in which O’Rourke asks people from border towns, including McAllen, where President Trump arrived today, and El Paso, where O’Rourke is from and where he gets his dental work done, to talk about a fond memory of theirs from growing up.
Here’s what that looks like on Instagram:
Thank you, Diana from El Paso, for your service.
Is O’Rourke building the foundation to run against Trump in 2020, further branding himself as a nice, small-town guy from west Texas and an easy-going politician who can speak to the trade, business, and cultural benefits that a wall-less border would allow us? Or is he simply having a hard time filling up the days now that he’s not campaigning against Cruz? Is this all part of his master plan to reach the White House, or is he a few grey hairs away from buying a motorcycle jacket?
It’s entirely possible that it’s both. O’Rourke may be looking for meaning and opportunities to glad-hand with voters on his cross-country road trip. Either way, I’m sure he’ll continue to document it, one dental check-up at a time.