41 Quotes by Beto O’Rourke
Beto O'Rourke, a former U.S. Congressman and political activist, gained national attention for his dynamic and inclusive approach to politics. Known for his charismatic presence and ability to connect with diverse audiences, O'Rourke represented a new generation of Democratic politicians. During his bid for the U.S. Senate in 2018 and his subsequent run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, O'Rourke emphasized a message of unity, inclusivity, and progressive values. His campaign resonated with many Americans, particularly young voters, who were inspired by his optimistic vision for the future and his emphasis on grassroots mobilization.
While he faced challenges and ultimately fell short of securing the nominations, O'Rourke's impact on the political landscape is undeniable. He galvanized a passionate base of supporters, energized by his authenticity, commitment to social justice, and unwavering advocacy for issues such as immigration reform, gun control, and healthcare access. Beto O'Rourke's political career may still be unfolding, but his inclusive and progressive approach to politics has left an indelible mark on the national conversation, inspiring others to engage in the democratic process and work towards a more equitable and inclusive society.
Beto O'Rourke Quotes
Courage makes victory possible. (Meaning)
In terms of immigration, we're seeing a lot of Democrats and Republicans use the really elastic term, 'Comprehensive Immigration Reform,' and they don't totally understand what that means. For us in El Paso, it's part of a larger discussion about the nature of the border.
El Paso in many ways is the Ellis Island for Mexico and much of Latin America.
We will be judged. There will be an accounting; there will be a reckoning sooner or later. It will either come from ourselves and our own conscience, or it will come from our kids when they ask that inconvenient question: 'What were you doing when they turned those kids back from the border?'
My dad was very critical and had very high expectations without a lot of the details filled in. It was, 'I expect you to achieve greatness in grades, in athletics, in whatever you do.'
The border is safe; it's secure. El Paso is the safest city in America. Let's own that. Let's be proud of that. And then, I think, good policy can follow from that, better outcomes included.
What's exciting to me is figuring out something that has eluded us for so long: How do we make sure every single person can see a doctor in this country? That's really exciting to me.
Our long memories hold the stories of what our people accomplished, but they also hold the prejudices, the injustices, the harm that we've received from others.
We must ensure the economy really works for all, to address unconscionable wealth and income disparities that allow access to opportunity for some over others.
We cannot sacrifice our humanity in the name of security - or we risk losing both.
In the age of Trump, we need to be aware of emotional rhetoric and its power regardless of whether or not it's based in fact.
There was something punk rock about Bobby Kennedy not going where the pollsters said or where consultants said. He was unmoored from what was safe or easy.
I'm for the DREAM Act. It makes so much sense. Following the implementation of the DREAM Act, we'll have a case study we can point to where we can say that we provided a path to citizenship or legal involvement in the community for these young immigrants, and the sky didn't fall.
You have to tell the people that you want to serve what it is you believe and what you are going to do on their behalf.
Politics has become very corporate. There's a whole farm system for the teams. There's decisions made at the top. There's a lot of literal corporate involvement, PAC money involved in selecting and backing candidates.
Juarez had become a failed city. The mayor of Juarez lived in El Paso. Not only did he not live in his own city, he didn't live in his own country. You had all these kids out of school who didn't want to work because they saw their mothers toiling in jobs for hardly any cash.
Here's what we know: after the Secure Fence Act, we have built 600 miles of wall and fencing on a 2,000 mile border. What that has done is not in any demonstrable way made us safer.
No one is born to be president of the United States of America.
The government at all levels is overly represented by white men. That's part of the problem, and I'm a white man.
We must work towards solutions that make housing, transportation, the workforce, and higher education more equitable.
Not one of the 9/11 terrorists entered through Mexico - and yet Mexicans bore the brunt of this country's immigration response to the terror attacks.
The goal should be universal, guaranteed, high-quality health care.
As a white man who has had privileges that others could not depend on or take for granted, I've clearly had advantages over the course of my life.
That's the primary mission of ours: to protect the border, enhance the border, and capitalize on what the border has to offer. It's the source of jobs, source of positive immigration stories.
The bottom line is that I'm very, very proud of my mom.
Part of the job for me and others from El Paso who live along the border is to dispel the myths about how supposedly dangerous the border is.
We toured the U.S. and Canada for two years, which was a lot of fun. It was very much a do-it-yourself, punk-rock ethic of booking your own shows, sometimes sleeping on the floor of the club you had played or meeting folks that would take you in, or sleeping on the side of the road or at rest stops in the car.
Let's not put anybody down. Instead, let's lift each other up. Let's bring out the absolute best from our fellow Americans - every single one of them from every single community.
I'm the original co-sponsor of an assault weapons ban.
There is no excuse for making disrespectful and demeaning comments about women.
At almost every step of modern immigration policy and immigration politics, we have exacerbated underlying problems and made things worse.
Giving low-level offenders a second chance, no matter the color of their skin or the economic status they hold, can create opportunity for all of us.
We want to play a great a role as possible in making sure this country lives up to the expectations.
We in El Paso and Juarez are literally one community. There's no separation; there's no DMZ; there's no buffer.
One overlooked great 1980s rock n' roll band, maybe punk rock - they were on SST Records, same label as Black Flag - is this band called the Leaving Trains.
The world wants to know - is the future a democratic one or an autocratic one? And I want to make sure that the United States leads on that, clearly that it's democratic.
It's nuts to me that people want to take a picture with me or want to tell me a story about their family. If they want to give it to me, I'll always take it. It's never intrusive.
We can either be governed by fear - fear of immigrants, fear of Muslims, call the press the enemy of the people, tear kids away from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border - or we can be governed by our ambitions and our aspirations and our desire to make the most out of all of us. And that's America at its best.
We are not a fearful, small people. We are confident and strong, and we understand that much of our strength comes from the fact that we are a people of the planet.
End racial and ethnic gerrymandering, stop voter I.D. laws that seek to suppress voters of color, and make sure everyone can add their voice and their vote to this great democracy.
We're all connected, related, part of one another's lives through the stories we tell ourselves and each other. For good and for bad.
― Beto O'Rourke Quotes
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
