To say the church Robert “Beto” O’Rourke spoke to this morning was half-empty might be generous.
There just doesn’t seem to be much interest in his candidacy for president.
Nevertheless, the failed Texas Senate candidate appeared in Waterloo, Iowa at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church on Sunday, and judging by a video tweeted by Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reporter Thomas Eric Nelson, he didn’t compel many to turn out.
UPDATE: Nelson deleted the video, but here’s a screen grab:
Beto addressed desegregation in Texas as the audience listened quietly. A lone person coughed.
Nelson posted a photo of O’Rourke’s appearance that cropped out the empty pews:
Presidential candidate @BetoORourke is speaking to the congregation at Mt. Carmel Sunday morning. pic.twitter.com/Qv9uyERbLd
— Thomas Eric Nelson (@tomnelson87) June 9, 2019
Prior to spending time with the Christian audience, O’Rourke talked with the state director of an atheist group:
Prior to the service @BetoORourke talks to Iowa State Director of @AmericanAtheist, @iowaatheist247 and the Rev. @docftw33 at Mt. Carmel. pic.twitter.com/AH0cFV9FDq
— Thomas Eric Nelson (@tomnelson87) June 9, 2019
Franz Whitfield, pastor of the church, is the president of the Iowa National Action Network, Al Sharpton’s organization.
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