Beto O’Rourke was asked why he doesn’t donate much to charity. He responds that his ‘sacrifice’ is running for office

Robert Francis "Beto" O'Rourke and his wife don't give that much of their income to charity, but he says that's OK since he's spent so much of his life running for and holding public office.

Here's the background: Recent analysis of tax documents from 2020 Democratic presidential candidates puts O'Rourke at the bottom of the list of Democratic donors to charity. In fact, the O'Rourkes reported donating only $1,166 out of $370,412 in 2017. That's 0.3 percent.

When asked about the paltry percentage at a recent campaign event in Virginia, the Texas Democrat countered by saying that he gives in ways that can't be quantified on a tax return, like running for president.

"I've served in public office since 2005. I do my best to contribute to the success of my community, of my state and, now, of my country," the candidate said. "There are ways that I do this that are measurable and there are ways that I do this are immeasurable."


O'Rourke went on to add that "There are charities that we donate to that we've recorded and itemized, others that we have donated to that we have not."

But here's the kicker quote: "But I will tell you, I'm doing everything that I can right now, spending this time with you — not with our kiddos, not back home in El Paso — because I want to sacrifice everything to make sure that we meet this moment of truth with everything we've got."

This answer could very easily backfire on O'Rourke.

Just for reference, the idea of "sacrificing everything" is typically invoked when someone gives their life for a cause such as dying in combat or the line of duty as a first responder or when they've been made a martyr for their faith. It's not a phrase typically heard or expected when discussing the various inconveniences of going around the United States to campaign stops in a bid to take over the Oval Office.