MSNBC panel: 'Rock star’ Beto O’Rourke’s victory could represent ‘complete political realignment’

MSNBC's "Deadline: White House" examined on Wednesday the contentious U.S. Senate race in Texas where Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-TX) is challenging Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX).

Wallace began by playing the hilarious clip of Tuesday night's debate where O'Rourke revived the "Lyin' Ted" nickname that Donald Trump bestowed on Sen. Cruz during the 2016 Republican presidential primary.

"The other thing about Ted Cruz -- inside the Republican ranks -- he's loathed," noted Wallace, a former White House communications director under GOP President George W. Bush. "He's not even a popular Republican."

Wallace also had thoughts on O'Rourke and his campaign.

"He's a very effective -- very good candidate and very popular in parts of Texas where Democrats usually don't have a fighting chance," Wallace noted.

Even conservative Weekly Standard contributing editor Charlie Sykes admitted, "He's a rock star, that 50,000-person rally -- that is amazing."

"Ted Cruz is vulnerable and I think we're in for a surprise," predicted Princeton University Prof. Eddie Glaude.

"I think this midterm is going to signal a complete political realignment," he added. "If not, then I'll just reach for my Jameson bottle."

Watch: