Rep. Beto O'Rourke Beto O'RourkeJimmy Carter says his son smoked pot with Willie Nelson on White House roof O'Rourke endorses Kennedy for Senate: 'A champion for the values we're most proud of' 2020 Democrats do convention Zoom call MORE (D-Texas) on Thursday jumped to second place in rankings of prospective 2020 Democratic presidential candidates created by two CNN analysts.

CNN's Chris Cillizza and Harry Enten placed O'Rourke second on their monthly "power rankings" of potential Democratic candidates, ahead of former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Democratic groups using Bloomberg money to launch M in Spanish language ads in Florida Harris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle MORE and Sens. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersOutrage erupts over Breonna Taylor grand jury ruling Dimon: Wealth tax 'almost impossible to do' Grand jury charges no officers in Breonna Taylor death MORE (I-Vt.), Cory Booker Cory Anthony BookerBipartisan praise pours in after Ginsburg's death DHS opens probe into allegations at Georgia ICE facility Democratic lawmakers call for an investigation into allegations of medical neglect at Georgia ICE facility MORE (D-N.J.) and Elizabeth Warren Elizabeth WarrenDimon: Wealth tax 'almost impossible to do' CNN's Don Lemon: 'Blow up the entire system' remark taken out of context Democrats shoot down talk of expanding Supreme Court MORE (D-Mass.).

"O'Rourke has that thing that every candidate — Democrat or Republican — wants: organic energy," the two analysts wrote. "He generates excitement everywhere he goes — and is being urged to run by activists from all over the Democratic base.

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"He's the flavor of the moment, no question," they continued. "But can he turn that initial excitement into a full-fledged campaign and sustain momentum over the next year-plus?"

O'Rourke ranks second behind only Sen. Kamala Harris Kamala HarrisHarris faces pivotal moment with Supreme Court battle Nearly 40 Democratic senators call for climate change questions in debates Joe Biden has long forgotten North Carolina: Today's visit is too late MORE (D-Calif.). He was tenth on last month's rankings.

Each of the candidates on the list has indicated they are weighing a presidential run, but none has formally announced whether they plan to launch a bid.

O'Rourke gained national attention after he ran an unsuccessful campaign to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzCruz blocks amended resolution honoring Ginsburg over language about her dying wish Trump argues full Supreme Court needed to settle potential election disputes Press: Notorious RBG vs Notorious GOP MORE (R-Texas). He has met with a number of prominent Democrats in recent weeks, including former President Obama and Rev. Al Sharpton.

O'Rourke previously said he was not interested in a White House run in 2020, but has since revised his position to note that he would not rule anything out.

The Texas congressman was listed near the top of a poll earlier this month of potential 2020 Democratic candidates, along with Biden and Sanders.