Everybody assumed that this was a stupid move by Beto, but they fail to see the obvious.
Sure it was bad for Democrats and gun control, but was it bad for Beto O’Roark?
This raises his stature among confiscation-loving Democrats, which is a large percentage. It will give him enough support to advance to the next round.
That’s all he cares about.
It was terrible for Beto.
While the base is thrilled and giving him money, he’s alienating a significant part: the gun-tolerant/supporting Left & Center; not a big number, but critical as it only takes swaying around 3% to shift win to lose.
Worse, he’s doing it to his side in general. He hasn’t a chance of winning anyway, but his actions are creating an issue the D nominee will have to answer for. To wit: Beto alone probably just lost the Left the 2020 election.
In a way, it’s win-win win: Beto ends his campaign with a big pile of cash without having to confront Trump, and Trump more easily wins another term.