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I’ve been pretty tough on Beto O’Rourke’s presidential campaign so far. A lot of other journalists have too. But campaigns are longer and more fluid than we journalists often acknowledge. And this week’s debates made me realize a real strength of the O’Rourke campaign.

Along with Joe Biden (who has his own challenges), O’Rourke is the only top-tier candidate who isn’t trying to swim against the tide of public opinion on a major policy issue.

For that reason, I can imagine — in a way I hadn’t previously considered — an O’Rourke comeback later this year, as the field of candidates winnows. I’m not saying that outcome is likely. At this point, though, it’s hard to know what is likely.