You’re giving her, AOC, and the young progressive and socialist-light wing far too much credit. The election wasn’t that long ago so these new faces get to spread their wings a bit and the media takes notice. They will have their 6-12mo of spotlight before the adults in the room tell them to sit down and STFU while we go win an election. They have no power, none, zilch, zero. Freshmen gonna be freshmen. The only ones who have to navigate landmines are those in Congress. Biden, Beto are largely free and clear of being stuck in “gotcha” moments in the current Congress.
I think Biden and Beto are talking about who’s going to announce and when. They are both running.
My bet is that Beto announces this week in Austin during SXSW. It runs through the 17th. Then Biden announces a couple weeks later.
Once those two announce Sanders becomes the 3rd wheel. Beto has that same grass roots feel that Sanders has, just with a more moderate more ELECTABLE tone.
I don’t worry about Beto being able to survive a primary battle because I think he will be able to really increase turnout in his favor vs the usual hardcore progs that take to the polls in primaries.
As far as the actual primaries go.....Beto will struggle in the northeast but kill everywhere else.
Alan