Election fundraising record: Beto that

American Democratic presidential hopeful Beto O’Rourke raised an unprecedented $6.1m — €5.38m — during the first 24 hours of his official run for the White House.

It is spectacular and says many things.

The sum is more than that raised by Bernie Sanders or every other 2020 Democratic hopeful. Mr O’Rourke brought in $6,136,763 in online donations from all 50 states.

That this figure was reached without contributions from PACs — political action committees — corporations, or special

interests suggests that those opposed to Trump II identify positively with Mr O’Rourke.

His voting record on some issues, especially environmental and healthcare, might suggest he is as much a Republican-lite as a true-blue Democrat. Despite that, should he be successful we will gladly celebrate his Irish heritage — just as we did American presidents so often before.

That fundraising record puts him in a strong position, and as his Irish forefathers might have expressed it: Tús maith, leath na hoibre.