As in the 2016 election, voters in 2020 have a lot of feelings about what’s wrong with the country, and want to project those feelings onto someone.

“They want to see a leader with a vision who they can believe in and someone they think can beat Trump,” said Jim Messina, campaign manager for President Obama’s re-election. “No one has a policy platform after two days.”

In 2016, Trump tapped into the American’s rage and pain. He made people feel seen who had felt ignored. O’Rourke is making a similar play by focusing on massive challenges of the age, from climate change to white privilege to an overwhelming feeling of political division.