What's the matter with you, Variety magazine? I know you cover show business, but you're also a liberal publication so why would you want to kill the U.S. Senate campaign of Democrat Robert (Beto) O'Rourke in Texas by publishing about his treks to Hollywood to raise campaign money. Such methods of campaign financing are not exactly popular in the Lone Star State as witness what happened to another liberal Democrat, Wendy Davis, who used Hollywood cash in a failed attempt to become governor.
What should have been kept under the radar to help O'Rourke was foolishly revealed by Ted Johnson of Variety on July 9 in Beto O’Rourke, Seeking to Oust Ted Cruz, Returns to L.A. for Fundraiser:
Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas), seeking to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and land one of the year’s biggest midterm upsets, is back in Los Angeles on Monday to raise campaign cash.
He’ll be at the home of actress Nancy Stephens and director-producer Rick Rosenthal for an evening reception, with ticket prices starting at $250 per person. Those who contribute $2,700 per person or raise at least $5,000 earn a spot on the host committee.
...His donors so far include Tate Donovan, Rian Johnson, Phil Lord, Connie Britton, Aubrey Plaza, Bob Odenkirk, Jim Gianopulos, and Tom Rothman. Chelsea Handler is among those who have been publicly championing O’Rourke in Twitter posts.
Really, Variety? You had to bring up the name of Chelsea Handler? How many votes will that cost Beto in Texas? They continued:
O’Rourke has trekked to L.A. at least two other times for fundraising events.
Ouch! Thanks for putting that stake in his campaign. If you want to write up a Beto O'Rourke story please take your cue from such publications as Politico which treats him with Walk On Water adoration such as this paean published the same day you undermined him with the Hollywood revelation:
Fueled by millions in small-dollar donations, O’Rourke is outraising Cruz. In recent weeks, President Donald Trump’s policy of separating migrant families detained at the border has given his campaign a jolt of moral clarity. And voters are responding in a way that Texas Democrats say they have not seen before in modern times.
See that? "Small-dollar donations" and not a hint of any Hollywood cash in the entire article.
With his youth and magnetism, O’Rourke, 45, draws comparisons to Barack Obama, but he projects a gawkier sort of charisma than the former president’s. His delivery is faster and jerkier. He sprints through his stump speech. Speaking without a mic, his unoccupied left hand constantly wanders to his solar plexus, while he repeatedly points down forcefully with his right hand, as if making an emphatic point in a rap battle.
I hope you have learned from this, Variety. A clean cut Jimmy Stewart type is projected by Politico in which O'Rourke is portrayed somewhat like a Mr. Smith Goes To Washington. A warm image in complete contrast to a typical angry, cynical, and foul-mouthed politician such as the one below.
