Beto O'Rourke Rides to Prominence Via a Livestream

U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-El Paso, came off the House floor sleep deprived, on a sugar high and possibly battling carpal tunnel syndrome.

The sophomore congressman took center stage, sort of, during the Democrats’ marathon protest in the House chamber Wednesday and Thursday. Thanks to the shutdown of in-house cameras by the House leadership, O’Rourke broke House rules and livestreamed from his iPhone most of the 26-hour demonstration aimed at forcing House Republicans to agree to votes on gun control legislation.

Outside the U.S. Capitol Thursday afternoon, he was hopeful, jubilant, and headed for a sugar crash.

"In the last 24 hours, I’ve eaten two Pop-Tarts and two chocolate donuts and a couple of cups of water," he said. "I feel incredibly invigorated by all of this."

"That kind of thing hasn’t happened in here in I don’t know how long," he added. "That’s my dream of how Congress was going to be, and three-and-a-half years in, it’s finally coming true."

But the question on many minds was this: How did he keep his phone charged that whole time?

"So, John Meza, right here, has tons of spare batteries and was constantly coming and changing out batteries,” O’Rourke said, pointing to his spokesman. “He’d give me a fresh battery, I’d pop it in, and I would assume this position for another 90 minutes.”

O’Rourke then held up a cramped hand and laughed at suggestions he might be headed to the orthopedist for carpal tunnel syndrome.

***** 

Chatter about Hillary Clinton possibly tapping Housing Secretary Julián Castro for the veep slot on the Democratic national ticket is surging. A new Monmouth University poll out today, though, raises some skepticism about what Castro brings to the ticket.

Ten percent of survey respondents said the inclusion of Castro would make them more likely to support the ticket while 17 percent said his inclusion would make them less likely to support the ticket.

A solid majority of those respondents — 63 percent  — said Castro wouldn’t have an impact on their choice.

The phone survey of 803 registered voters was conducted late last week and over the weekend.

The Democratic veep candidates seen as making the most positive impact for the ticket were Bernie Sanders (39 percent more likely to support vs. 20 percent less likely to support) and Elizabeth Warren (24-21 on more likely/less likely to support)

*****

The Sunset Advisory Commission met Thursday to discuss the future of some of the state's more obscure governmental entities, including four river authorities and regulatory boards that work with pharmacists, physical and occupational therapists, and dentists.

Sunset staff members, who identify inefficiencies in state government and recommend state agencies for closure, singled out river authorities for a lack of transparency.

It was also the first hearing attended by conservative firebrand Allen West, a former Florida congressman and prominent Fox News contributor, who was appointed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to the advisory commission last year.

*****

Alamo license plates are now available, just the thing for Texas patriots to demonstrate further their regard for their state.

Proceeds go to preservation efforts and educational programs at the Texas landmark.