Beto ORourke Says Hell Decide On 2020 Run By Months End

(Associated Press) STEVE PEOPLES and WILL WEISSERT February 5 2019 NEW YORK Breaking months of near-silence about his political future Democrat Beto ORourke said Tuesday that he would announce his decision about a 2020 presidential run before the end of the month" and suggested hes leaning toward it. The former Texas congressman who found political stardom in his unsuccessful Senate bid last fall opened up about a potential 2020 run in a conversation with a bigger star Oprah Winfrey during a taping of her program Oprahs SuperSoul Conversations from Times Square." I have been thinking about running for president" ORourke told Winfrey as the packed audience cheered. The 46-year-old Democrat cited his desire to help unify the country. Im so excited at the prospect of being able to play that role." ORourke dazzled Democrats last year by nearly defeating Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in the countrys largest red state. In recent weeks however his presidential prospects have been overshadowed by the generally well-received 2020 campaign launches of Sens. Kamala Harris of California Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Cory Booker of New Jersey. His comments Tuesday offered a powerful reminder that the Democratic field is far from set.