In response to Texas Democratic Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s strong fundraising numbers of news outlets have pointed out that Twitter isn’t real life, a very accurate observation as its political aspects are basically a cesspool of highly socialized polarization that is reflective of just about no one in the electorate. It’s very true that hard left hipsters in Brooklyn (the left-leaning news media) are not the Democratic primary electorate.
But we do have a way of gauging where most Democrats stand: opinion research.
Here’s a Wisconsin poll conducted after O’Rourke launched his campaign:
“Twitter’s Insiders Are Skeptical About Beto O’Rourke. Iowans Don’t Seem To Care,” reads a Buzzfeed headline. But O’Rourke has also been regularly included in Iowa polls:
It’s similar for New Hampshire:
It’s possible that O’Rourke gains traction, things are early. But an objective reading of the race as it stands shows that he’s not in the top 3 candidates. That’s regardless of Twitter snark.