Only a few days into his 2020 presidential campaign and Robert “Beto” O’Rourke is feeling the wrath of liberals for apparently being misogynistic and sexist.
The newly announced Democratic presidential contender was quickly reminded that his words matter when a joke at his wife’s expense on the campaign trail this week was lambasted by critics, leading the former congressman to apologize and promise to be “more thoughtful.”
“Not only will I not say that again, but I’ll be more thoughtful going forward in the way that I talk about our marriage,” O’Rourke said in an interview on the podcast, “Political Party LIVE!” in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, according to CNN.
The Texas Democrat, who failed to unseat Republican Sen. Ted Cruz in the 2018 election, had joked at a campaign stop in Keokuk, Iowa on Thursday that his wife has been raising their children “sometimes with my help.”
Beto tells a coffee shop crowd that he just talked with his wife, Amy. “She is raising, sometimes with my help,” their three kids. Then says he’s running for president for his kids, and theirs.
— Matt Viser (@mviser) March 14, 2019
He made the same joke in Washington, Iowa, on Friday.
Beto O’Rourke gets laughs in Washington, IA for saying his wife is raising their kids “sometimes with my help” in El Paso. pic.twitter.com/9V7uHchVwE
— Alex Seitz-Wald (@aseitzwald) March 15, 2019
O’Rourke, whose arm gestures were making headlines after President Trump remarked on the “crazy” movements, was raked over the coals for being condescending to women after his jokes.
Can’t imagine a female candidate getting away with such a statement.
— Exhausted (@1WomanProblem) March 14, 2019
He did it again today???? Oh man, he needs to take this line out of the speech. NOT GOOD.
— Katieinjc (@KatherineArabis) March 15, 2019
I can’t believe this horrible tone deaf joke was actually written down and is being repeated. Seriously, super offensive and sexist. This guy is out of touch.
— Lynn S. (@Lynn_in_Atlanta) March 15, 2019
He really needs to stop making this “joke.”
— Chelsey Engel (@femmewithapen) March 15, 2019
That’s gross. I hate when dads do this. They’re your kids, too. Stop acting like it’s a side gig to be a parent.
— JC (@PAcat15) March 15, 2019
O’Rourke promised he would be more thoughtful in “the way in which I acknowledge the truth of the criticism that I have enjoyed white privilege,” during the podcast.
“My ham-handed attempt to try to highlight the fact that Amy has the lion’s share of the burden in our family — that she actually works but is the primary parent in our family, especially when I served in Congress, especially when I was on the campaign trail — should have also been a moment for me to acknowledge that that is far too often the case, not just in politics, but just in life in general,” he added.
“I hope as I have been in some instances part of the problem, I can also be part of the solution,” he said.
While liberals slammed the Democrat, some on Twitter defended his remarks and expressed their frustration with those who are perpetually offended.
Yeah I kind of feel like he’s kind of giving his wife credit for doing so much while he’s so busy. That’s how I interpreted it.
— Angie O’Connor (@AngieLou76) March 15, 2019
He’s not out of touch at all. He’s representing the reality of his situation. I imagine it’s mostly people looking for ways to be offended that get offended by this.
— castrelly21 (@castrelly21) March 15, 2019
Not sure why people are CHOOSING to be offended by it.
— Rebelicious (@RebeliciousUSA) March 15, 2019
When he has to leave town his wife cares for the kids. Good lord we have to stop this outrage culture.
— ??♀️??? ?????? ?? ?????? (@marleneglaser) March 14, 2019
But many more chose to call O’Rourke out.
He is seriously having the worst roll out of any candidate…
— DJ1028 (@dj1028_jean) March 14, 2019
It’s 2019. This kind of comment from a man about not taking care of his children, stopped being a ‘punchline’ years ago. He needs to do better
— Kacey325 (@Kacey325) March 15, 2019
Please stop this, Beto.
— mikey franklin (@mikeyfranklin) March 15, 2019
This is a sexist tone deaf statement. The more he speaks the less I am liking him.
— Dawn M. (@dawn_macc) March 15, 2019
Just so you know, women are NOT laughing at this joke. He should stop it. Does he have any women advisors with children? If so, he would not make this joke.
— Meghan Casey (@Mary_Meg3) March 15, 2019
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
[email protected]
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
- Troops DEPLOYED on U.S. soil – Democrat governor goes off the rails! - September 4, 2023
- $800 Million GONE – Government deal goes completely wrong! - August 30, 2023
- Doocy presses White House spox on Biden health czar’s proposed two beer limit - August 29, 2023
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
