Was Beto O'Rourke's Interruption of Greg Abbott's Uvalde Press Conference Right or Wrong?
Summary from the AllSides News Team
A press conference following the Texas elementary school shooting this week briefly became the stage for the state's 2022 gubernatorial race.
Candidate Beto O'Rourke (D) confronted Gov. Greg Abbott (R) Wednesday at a conference on the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas. O'Rourke approached the table where Abbott was speaking, saying "You're offering us nothing" and calling the shooting "totally predictable when you choose not to do anything." O'Rourke's interruption lasted roughly 30 seconds before he was escorted out, and he turned around and continued for several more seconds before being removed.
Abbott appeared to remain silent during the confrontation, while Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin, who was seated at the table with Abbott, stood up and began cursing at O'Rourke.
Voices on either side of the partisan gun debate tended to align with their politicians. Left-rated media outlets tended to frame Abbott negatively. Coverage from Fox News (Right bias) and other right-rated sources often highlighted voices who criticized O'Rourke. One column from Washington Examiner accused O'Rourke of hijacking the moment for political gain, and highlighted McLaughlin's anger with O’Rourke "for trying to turn the shooting into a political issue." Another column from Vogue supported O'Rourke's interruption and a strong gun control agenda, saying it was "cathartic to see O’Rourke express some fraction of the frustration and rage that people across the country are feeling."
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Right
Beto O'Rourke made the Uvalde shooting all about himself
The shooting in Uvalde, Texas, resulted in the deaths of 19 children and two teachers.
Beto O’Rourke wants to make it all about himself.
While Texas Gov. Greg Abbott was holding a press conference about the shooting, O’Rourke decided to crash it. As part of a stunt to promote his campaign for governor, he shouted at and attempted to shame Abbott and Republicans for not choosing to “do something," i.e., confiscate guns. O’Rourke, like many of the prominent Democrats who claim these shootings are easily preventable, doesn’t actually have a solution responsive...
From the Left
Beto O’Rourke Was Right to Interrupt Greg Abbott’s Post-Uvalde Press Conference
On Tuesday, an 18-year-old gunman entered an Uvalde, Texas elementary school with a long rifle and proceeded to kill 19 children and two teachers in a single classroom. On Wednesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott—a longtime NRA supporter who has been instrumental in relaxing state gun laws—held a press conference to pass the buck to “mental health illness.”
During the press conference, Democratic Texas gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke interrupted Abbott, saying, “The time to stop the next shooting is now, and you are doing nothing. You’re offering us nothing.”
It was cathartic to see O’Rourke express some...
AllSides Picks
April 18th, 2024
April 18th, 2024
More News about Polarization from the Left, Center and Right
From the Left
From the Center
From the Right
