Beto O’Rourke described as ‘blank slate’ by Iowa Democrat introducing him – Washington Examiner

A local Democrat introduced Beto O’Rourke as a “blank slate” at a campaign stop in Iowa on Friday.

“Beto is here because he wants to hear what rural Iowa and rural America is standing for. He is going from city to city. He wants to hear what we want. He is a blank slate that is waiting to be filled by our hopes and dreams for the United States,” the woman said, introducing O’Rourke to the crowd.

O’Rourke was joined by his wife Amy at the town hall meeting at Peace Tree Brewing in Knoxville.

The 2020 Democratic presidential contender is polling ahead of most other Democrats in the running, but is significantly behind the primary leaders. O’Rourke is polling at 3.8%, according to the latest RealClearPolitics average of polls.

That puts the former Texas congressman in sixth place in a crowded field of 23 Democrats, far behind former Vice President Joe Biden, the front-runner at 33.5%. O’Rourke is several points down from South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who is in fifth at 6.8%.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and California Sen. Kamala Harris round out second, third, and fourth place, respectively.