POLITICO NIGHTLY: Two Dem stars struggle to recapture the magic
View in browser BY CALDER MCHUGH Presented by Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke speaks at a campaign rally in San Antonio, Texas. | Jordan Vonderhaar/Getty Images COVER STORY — Just a few short years ago, Beto O’Rourke and Stacey Abrams were among the Democratic Party’s shiniest stars, two youthful candidates who electrified their parties even in defeat. While they came up just short in their longshot 2018 bids to win statewide office in Texas and Georgia, respectively, their promise was such that each sparked talk of their prospects on the national stage. They’re back on the ballot again this year — Abrams in a rematch with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, and O’Rourke in a bid to unseat Texas Gov. Greg Abbott — but this time the vibe is different. Both have consistently trailed their opponents in the polls. O’Rourke hasn’t led in a single survey since he announced his candidacy last November, and Abrams is barely doing better. So what changed? W...
