CNN anchor Brianna Keilar on Wednesday questioned whether former Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D., Texas) is ready for a presidential run, noting how he passed on several questions during a recent interview.
The Washington Post published an interview with O'Rourke on Tuesday that detailed his positions, or lack thereof, on multiple issues, including the border wall and immigration.
"He was asked how he would handle immigrants who overstay their visas, and he said ‘I don’t know,’" Keilar said. "On withdrawing troops from Syria, he said there may be a good reason, but he doesn’t necessarily understand. He seemed to be passing on a lot of stuff, the Constitution, he questioned whether a 230 year-old document can be used as a guide for today’s issues, especially international issues."
She went on to ask CNN political director David Chalian whether O'Rourke was ready for a presidential run, noting that candidates traditionally need to have substance and formed opinions on issues.
Chalian agreed with Keilar, but referenced Barack Obama's first presidential campaign and how he was criticized by his Democratic opponents in 2007 when he seemed unprepared.
"Remember, we’ve seen that question asked before, I mean, Barack Obama in 2007 was getting criticized from many in the Democratic Party for not issuing white papers," he said. "And he made clear I wasn’t going to be the candidate of white papers."
"It’s a fine line to walk between being a blank canvas and an empty vessel, right, as someone will accuse you of being," Keilar said.
O'Rourke, who was unsuccessful at unseating Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas) back in November, has not formally announced whether he will run for president. He is currently embarking on a road trip around the United States to talk with voters outside of Texas, as he mulls a potential campaign.