Around 1,000 people gathered Thursday night at a CNN Town Hall in the McAllen Performing Arts Center to support Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke.
O’Rourke answered questions from the public on various sensitive topics, such as family separation policies, President Trump and a possible presidential candidacy.
The town hall started when CNN Moderator Dana Bash introduced O’Rourke to the public at 6 p.m.
The first question was by attendee Carlos Garcia, an immigration attorney in family reunification.
“Congressman, this weekend the president indicated that he’s open to resurrecting his family separation policies,” Garcia said. “… What is the most important piece of legislation that you plan to introduce to make sure that this doesn’t happen again?”
“I was here in McAllen in the wake of the president’s disastrous zero-tolerance policy,” O’Rourke said. “… First, we can ensure that never again is another child taken from another parent coming here to seek asylum. Two, we can insist that immediately every single one of those kids is reunited with their families.”
He later said Dreamers should be freed from any fear of deportation by making them U.S. citizens.
“They’re already as American as anyone else in any way that’s meaningful,” O’Rourke said. “Let’s make sure that they’re also citizens so they can contribute to their full potential.”
O’Rourke was clear that he does not believe in open borders, but he does not support the wall.
He explained that the wall is not built across the Rio Grande, which connects the U.S. and Mexico, but in U.S. land, which could interfere with citizens’ property.
Juan Ramirez, a UTRGV student, asked O’Rourke what he would say to Republicans and independents who are contemplating voting for him, but are hesitant because of his objective of voting in favor of the president’s impeachment.
“My focus is on the things that we can achieve,” O’Rourke said. “And I would work with anyone, anytime, anywhere, including President Trump.”
Bash asked O’Rourke if he would vote to impeach the president. He replied that he would still vote in favor due to Trump’s comments on the Russian government.
“I would liken impeachment to an indictment,” he said. “There is enough there to proceed with the trial.”
O’Rourke also mentioned the impeachment is not a mission of his campaign, but he believes there is enough information to move forward.
Bash also questioned O’Rourke on his approach to his opponent, Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. O’Rourke called Cruz “Lying Ted” in last Tuesday’s debate in San Antonio. Cruz declined CNN’s invitation to the town hall.
“That nickname resonates because it’s true,” he answered. “It’s not something that I feel totally comfortable with.”
O’Rourke talked about narcotics abuse saying he wants to have a smart drug control policy. He also favors ending the prohibition of marijuana by effectively controlling and regulating its sale.
Gun regulations, a possibility of free college for the first two years, taxes and campaign money were also discussed during the town hall.
Toward the ending of the town hall, UTRGV graduate student Guia Castro asked O’Rourke if he would consider running for president.
“The answer is no,” he said confidently. “… I promise to you and, most importantly, to the people of Texas that I’ll serve every single day of the six-year term in the United States Senate.”
He added that if he does not win, he will focus on his family back in El Paso.
O’Rourke left the McAllen Performing Arts Center with a warm round of applause from the attendees.
Outside the event, 27-year-old organizational leadership graduate Rolando Segura Jr. carried a sign that read “YOUR NAME’S NOT BETO!” Segura argued with other attendees on why they should not vote for O’Rourke.
“Don’t vote for a name, vote for a politician. Look into the politics,” Segura said.
Asked which policies he was against, Segura replied he did not come prepared for a debate.
“I didn’t come here for a back-and-forth, I just came to say my point of view,” he said.
The night did not end in McAllen for O’Rourke. After the debate, he went to Edinburg’s Bert Ogden Arena for a rally, where Mexican Norteño group, “Los Tigres del Norte,” performed in support of the candidate.
The rally was a personal way for O’Rourke to approach the community and to talk to them. More than 4,200 people were registered to attend the rally, according to O’Rourke’s website.
