Beto O'Rourke's outburst divides political opinion, impact on campaign remains unclear

Texas beto-orourke” target=”_blank”>gubernatorial hopeful Beto O’Rourke< a “stunt that could make or break his campaign.” 

next
Image 1 of 4

Democrat Beto O’Rourke, who is running against Greg Abbott for governor in 2022, interrupts a news conference headed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in Uvalde, Texas Wednesday, May 25, 2022.  (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills)


prev

next
Image 2 of 4

Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (Fox News Digital)


prev

next
Image 3 of 4

FILE – Texas Democrat gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke speaks during a campaign event in Fort Worth, Texas Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. O’Rourke said Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, that his campaign for Texas governor raised $7.2 million in the first six weeks of a race that could wind up as one of the nation’s most expensive in 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File) (AP)


prev
Image 4 of 4

"The View" hosts praised Democrat gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke after he interrupted Gov. Greg Abbot’s presser about the Texas school shooting. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills) (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills)

Political strategists remain divided on that matter. 

TEXAS SCHOOL SHOOTING: BETO O’ROURKE DERAILS GOV. GREG ABBOTT UPDATE ON UVALDE SHOOTING

“What Beto did was incredibly brave,” Jennifer Holdsworth Karp, Democratic Strategist, told Fox News Digital. “He respectfully waited for Governor Abbot to conclude his remarks, and then stood up to the Republicans on that stage without raising his voice.”

“More Democrats should follow his example and push back against the gaslighting and lies that come from the right after innocent children are slaughtered with weapons of war,” she added. “I’m not sure Beto cares if it will help him or hurt him politically because it was the right thing to do, but I will tell any candidate who will listen that they should follow his lead.”

Beto O’Rourke stuns Twitter with school shooting press conference interruption: ‘Truly sick human being’

Hosts on ABC’s “The View” certainly agreed with Karp, with co-host Sunny Hostin arguing O’Rourke was “saying the right things.” 

But Texas-based GOP consultant Matt Mackowiak believes that O’Rourke’s display disqualifies him as a potential leader in the state. 

House Dems praise Beto O’Rourke for disrupting Texas Gov. Abbott during Uvalde school shooting press event

“Texans desire our leaders to be statesmen,” Mackowiak told Fox News Digital. “To assume the mantle of leadership, you must always be in control of your emotions and behavior and never make a serious, solemn event about your own political aspirations.”

“Beto O’Rourke showed yet again that he is unfit for high office by causing a scene while federal, state and local officials were briefing the media and the local community,” he continued. “Beto’s desire to ‘go viral’ was obscene and disqualifying.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

O’Rourke has apparently felt the political winds at his back as he has taken an increasingly strong stance on assault weapons, recently editing his campaign website from urging officials “to reduce” the number of AR-15’s and AK-47’s on the streets to saying he doesn’t believe “any civilian should own” such a weapon. 

Fox News’ David Rutz and Peter Hasson contributed to this report.