By Anna M. Tinsley
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
FORT WORTH, Texas — Just leave Willie Nelson alone.
State Rep. Matt Krause, R-Fort Worth, took to Twitter recently to let Texans know that they don’t have to attack someone just because they don’t like what he or she is doing.
These comments came after many took to social media to lambast Nelson for agreeing to perform at a Sept. 29 Austin rally for Democrat Beto O’Rourke, who is challenging Republican Ted Cruz for his U.S. Senate seat.
They called him names such as “socialist commie” and “damn socialist.” Willie Nelson “can Shove his new record … he might as well get a pair of Nikes and an Antifa flag as far as I’m concerned,” Calvin Carr posted on Facebook.
“Texans should be better than this,” Krause posted on Twitter. “We’ve come to a place where we can’t merely disagree with someone’s political choice but have to attack & berate them.
“I don’t like (Nelson’s) choice either but we shouldn’t resort to name calling. Reflects poorly on our ability to have civil discourse.”
This fierce battle in Texas for the U.S. Senate has become one of the costliest —and most watched — races across the country, as many wonder if O’Rourke can manage to do what no other Democrat has done for more than two decades in the Lone Star State: win a statewide office.
After his tweet, Krause said he heard from people in both parties and “all over the political spectrum.”
He said he didn’t know how many Willie Nelson fans didn’t know he was “a liberal/Democrat.”
But he said the reaction to his post “shows folks are fed up with being ‘outraged’ at everything,” Krause told the Star-Telegram. “It happens on both sides of the aisle, and I think most people would like to return to the days of ‘agree to disagree’ instead of what we have today.”
Either way, he said the reaction he saw gives him hope for the future.
“I hope we can get back to more civil discourse and dialogue,” he said. “That may have to be after November, but still, there’s hope!”
Willie reaction
Some quickly threw their support behind the Texas music icon once they heard he would perform to help O’Rourke. Others said they had enough of his political views and could no longer be fans.
“Goodbye Willie,” David R. Williams wrote on Facebook. “I don’t support socialist commies! You’re not going to advertise on my FB page either. Like we say in Texas, Now Git.”
“California would love to have you,” Ct Coleman echoed on Twitter. “You’re not welcome or wanted in the great state of TEXAS anymore.”
Nelson supporters chimed in, thanking the singer for his work and activism.
“Thank you Willie for supporting Beto O’Rourke! You are a true patriot,” Katherine Owens Bosley tweeted. “I love you man. I am a fan forever.”
“Thank you Sir for being a Hero to America’s Farms and for standing for what is right for Texas,” tweeted Cindy Seifen. “Go Beto!!!!”
Senate race
The fight for this Senate seat, represented by Republicans since 1993, is dominating headlines and TV commercials.
Congressional leaders have stepped up to help Cruz, as has President Donald Trump, who plans to hold a rally at the “biggest stadium in Texas” to help Cruz.
Nelson, meanwhile, will headline the Sept. 29 rally for O’Rourke.
It is less than two months until the Nov. 6 midterm election.
Early voting runs from Oct. 22-Nov. 2.
