Is Beto O'Rourke's political career done?

I'm Stephen Dial in Dallas. I'm Rudy Kosky in Austin and I'm Greg Groogan in Houston and this is texas. The issue is all of the campaign ads are finally off the air. There may be a plus for some people, not for tv stations and your mailbox is a little less cluttered now that the election is over. Rudy in one word, how would you describe what happened on Tuesday? My one word realignment. Okay, Greg, what's what's your one word? I'm going with loggerheads. Okay, we have a lot to discuss the most watched race in the state as far as texas is concerned was the race for governor and Greg Abbott sailed to a third term in victory over Beto O'Rourke. It starts by keeping texas as the number one state for the best economy in America and the number one state for jobs. We must tap into our $27 billion budget surplus and use that to uh give our property owners the largest property tax cut in the history of texas. We must fight against joe biden's war against oil and gas and keep texas number one for oil and gas production in the United States of America. We must also strive for excellence in education, law enforcement officers and give them the respect they deserve. We need, we need to end these easy bail policies that allowed dangerous criminals out onto the streets and we must escalate our battle against the deadly fentanyl that is pouring across our border. And the best way that I can put all of this in a way that maybe any of us can understand is we just want a state where people are free enough and healthy enough to be able to pursue their potential and rise to fulfill their true promise. A state where we are not defined or divided based on our differences but find the common interest for the common good right here on the common ground before us. Well that still is the texas that I want to live in. That's our work. Probably one of the most recognizable faces in texas rudy in 2018 he lost running for senate against Ted Cruz 2020 dropped out in his race for president before a vote was even cast and now 2022 losing his bid for governor is Beto O'rourke's political career dead. Well steven, I think that just talking about what we just heard, we heard the legislative priorities for the coming session from the governor. We probably also heard some of the legislative priorities for the Democratic House caucus. But to answer your question, no, I think that Beto could still get votes. I think a lot of partisan pundits think that he's done in Tuesday night. He certainly hinted at an exit. But I think that the good bet is that he takes maybe the Wendy Davis Hillary Clinton route by staying involved in politics but not the campaign trail. But I also think he could run again. Really? Yeah. Maybe part of a down ballot spot in four years like land commissioner, railroad commission, maybe even comptroller or another run for Congress. So is he done? I don't think so. Greg, the easy route in my opinion probably could be running for his own seat in Congress. Do you think his political career better works? Political career is done following that loss Tuesday. Steven granted Beto O'rourke is mired in a losing streak, but frankly time is on his side. He's young and I think both of you would agree he really embraces even thrives on the retail side of the process, engaging with voters face to face with fervor. Now, Beto has also proven he can go back to the barrel with donors who have opened their wallets to his brand repeatedly, and I think we'll do so again. That said, does O'rourke run in the next cycle? I doubt it. But down the road as young Texans transition from extended adolescence to middle age and more progressive economic migrants move into our state, I'm betting Beto will leap off the sideline for another bite at the apple because he more than most really wants to close the deal. And as we just witnessed, the Democratic bench is still pretty darn thin in terms of a statewide run. Gotcha. Now, a couple of weeks ago, we thought Rudy was going to be eating crow. He's only eating half that crow Rudy nationwide. The abortion issue did play well and was a factor at the voting booth. But in Texas, it didn't really help that award. Why do you think it didn't play well in Texas but played well nationwide? Yeah, it's not a full plate of crow, not the full bird, just a half bird, right? I think the abortion issue is what energized his base, got some of the crossover votes here in Texas and kept him in the game. Now, remember, O'rourke came out early, strong in the early vote. I would argue the abortion issue was a factor, a down ballot factor, and it's what put a lot of other Democratic candidates into the wind column here in Texas on Tuesday night. Maybe that's how Lena Hidalgo survived in all the scandals in Harris County. I think it factored into Williamson County, historically red and purple, historically red county Tuesday night. It looks like it became a purple county. So, yeah, I think that it still factored in somewhat in Texas, but just not as big. We have a lot more to discuss. The Fox Texas trail will be back after this short break.