October 13, 2014 6:04 AM

Texas Republican: Another way of saying "hypocrite"

Critics are saying that a new ad from Democratic Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis’ campaign for governor goes too far in its attack against her opponent, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott (R), who is disabled…. “A tree fell on Greg Abbott. He sued and got millions,” says a narrator’s voice. “Since then he spent his career working against other victims.”…. Davis campaign spokeswoman said in a statement, “This ad focuses on the fact that Greg Abbott rightly sought justice for himself, following a horrible accident. And then spent his career denying that same justice to other victims, like when he said an amputee shouldn’t be considered disabled because she had an artificial limb.”

So Greg Abbott’s feelings were hurt by a Wendy Davis ad that just happened to hit him right smack in his hypocrisy? This from a man whose campaign routinely refers to Davis as “Abortion Barbie?” Really? Is Abbott really that thin-skinned and hypocritical? Or is he just that willing to play the disability card whenever he can use it to his advantage?

There’s nothing in the ad that’s inflammatory or demeaning to Abbott. It’s merely a political ad like so many others, pointing out what one campaign sees as their opponent’s weaknesses, foibles, and/or moral failings. If Abbott and his campaign believe that his disability is off-limits they need to follow the same rules. No pointing out what Abbott’s overcome or how his injury changed his life and steeled his resolve when you’re demeaning Davis’s journey and accomplishments.

Abbott’s tossed far worse in Davis’ direction, but he for some reason gets a free pass. He’s a Republican, so of course it’s hardball politics when Abbott does it…but it’s offensive and belittling the disabled when Davis does it.

Here’s an idea: How about Greg Abbott put on his metaphorical big boy pants and lose the hypocrisy? How about he stops playing his disability for political advantage when he’s had a history of thwarting others who are legitimately disabled? How about playing by the same rules that he demands Davis play by?

It’s been clear for some time that Greg Abbott’s a coward who can’t hold a candle to Wendy Davis when it comes to dealing honestly with issues? Abbott has repeatedly demonstrated a glaring lack of integrity and compassion as he plays up to Texas’ Conservative God squadders. He’s tossed far worse at Davis…and he should be able to man up and admit as much. Then again, Abbott isn’t renowned for doing the right thing unless there’s a direct political benefit to him.

Texans should be able to know they have a Governor who considers integrity and compassion to be important values. Then again, when you’d vote for a ham sandwich if it had an “R” behind its name, you deserve Greg Abbott every bit as much as you’ve deserved Rick Perry.

Texas deserves better than Greg Abbott.

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This page contains a single entry by Jack Cluth published on October 13, 2014 6:04 AM.

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