DEMS/ELECTION/RALLY/TEXAS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “The showdown between Donald Trump and Beto O’Rourke Monday [2-11-19] night over the president’s border wall unfolded at competing rallies with thousands of people in venues barely a block apart. But the events practically took place in parallel universes: One with rowdy MAGA-gear wearing Trump backers chanting ‘USA, USA!’; the other serenaded by a mariachi band before O’Rourke took the stage for a lengthy takedown — at times in Spanish — of the president’s signature project. Welcome to 2020. O’Rourke has a long way to go before becoming Trump’s general election opponent, but the clashing events showed the fight over immigration and border security is certain to keep electrifying Trump’s voters — and animate the Democratic determination to make him a one-term president. Trump, true to form, kicked off his speech by mocking O’Rourke, without uttering the former congressman’s name.”
–David Siders and Anita Kumar, “Beto takes on Trump in tale of 2 mega-rallies,” Politico, February 11, 2019 11:13 pm