According Cal Jillson, professor of Political Science at Southern Methodist University, O’Rourke’s kneejerk reaction shows he’s passionate, which is good, but dropping an f-bomb in a room with elderly attendees and kids, not so much.

“Light cursing can make you seem more authentic to your supporters, but there are shades of language that are dangerous,” Jillson said. “[O’Rourke] may have skated right up to it and past it.”

Rice University Political Science professor Mark Jones echoed similar sentiments: “It helps them, it hurts them.”

Jones said the shock-and-awe effect of strong obscenities isn’t as damaging as what it does to his reputation.

“These are voters who are Democratic voters, Republican voters, who don’t have an issue with profanity in their private life but hold public officials and those making public pronouncements to a higher standard,” Jones said.