AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - If elections were decided by viral videos and fawning media profiles, Democrat Beto O'Rourke would win Texas' Senate race in a landslide.

He's gone viral defending NFL players' right to protest during the national anthem and skateboarding. He's been compared to a young Barack Obama.

So far, O'Rourke has capitalized on the hype machine. His fundraising is strong and he's going on "Ellen" this week.