Greg Abbott "Chickens Out" Of The Only Statewide Televised Debate With His Democratic Opponent

This is no surprise to many of us familiar with politics in the state of Texas. I was surprised that Abbott ever agreed to a debate with Wendy Davis in the first place. He is an incompetent, and has survived so far just because he caters to the wishes and fears of the teabaggers (who control the Republican Party in Texas). Now he is backing out of that one debate he agreed to participate in.

And Abbott wouldn't even face the media in doing that, but hands the job off to his aides. Those aides say he is backing out of the debate because of an "inability to agree on the specifics of a format". That's ridiculous. Here is what Mike Devlin, the president and general manager of WFAA-TV (who is the primary media outlet broadcasting the debate), had to say about Abbott dropping out:

“We are deeply disappointed that the Abbott campaign has not lived up to the commitment it made to participate in this important debate. WFAA has produced numerous debates which are balanced and fair to all the candidates. This debate would be no different. The citizens of Texas deserve to hear from the candidates for the most important office in the state.”

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/08/29/6077600/abbott-backs-out-of-only-statewide.html#storylink=cpy

The Wendy Davis campaign was quick to pounce on Abbott's withdrawal, saying:

“It's no surprise that Greg Abbott is pulling out of a long planned debate the day after he was defeated in court for protecting billions in public education cuts that have led to overcrowded classrooms, teacher layoffs and shuttered schools.” 

“Greg Abbott is clearly too afraid to defend his record of siding with insiders at the expense of Texans — whether it's defending funding cuts for classrooms, siding with a corporation against a victim of rape or letting his donors take tens of millions of taxpayer dollars intended for cancer research. This is nothing short of an insult to the voters of Texas."

That's a lot closer to the truth. Abbott started remembering his own record of incompetence and the rhetorical skills of his opponent -- and realized the debate would do nothing but cost him votes. The Lone Star Project calls him a coward for refusing to debate (and I have to agree with them). Here is what the Lone Star Project had to say:

Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/08/29/6077600/abbott-backs-out-of-only-statewide.html#storylink=cpyThat's a lot closer to the truth. Abbott started remembering his own record of incompetence and the rhetorical skills of his opponent -- and realized the debate would do nothing but cost him votes. The Lone Star Project calls him a coward for refusing to debate (and I have to agree with them). Here is what the Lone Star Project had to say:

In Texas, we don’t call anyone a coward, unless we mean it and can back it up.

Greg Abbott is a coward.

For the first time in more than a decade, Texans have an open-seat election for Governor.  Every Texan, regardless of their party affiliation or ideological beliefs deserves to hear directly from the candidates - to see them exchange ideas and compare their visions for the future in a non–partisan debate.

Greg Abbott pledged to participate in only one statewide televised debate.  After giving his word to the debate sponsor, WFAA Television, Abbott reversed field and broke his promise to attend and participate.  No credible excuse involving his health, a family emergency or any other plausible explanation for backing out has been given. 

He may be afraid to face Senator Davis. He may be afraid to face the voters. He may even be trying to manipulatively "shop around" for a different debate venue where he feels he has a better chance of controlling the rules or the format, the questions or the size of the viewership.

Whatever the reason, Greg Abbott is backing out of the only this statewide debate because he knows that his appearance in a fair forum, comparing ideas and visions with Wendy Davis will cost him votes.  A debate risks exposing him as a career politician who has used his time on the public payroll to become nothing but another selfish insider - looking out for other insiders and doing damage to Texans who work hard every day to get ahead.

Strength, courage and honor are fundamental requirements to serve as Texas Governor.  Greg Abbott today demonstrated that he lacks all three.

UPDATE -- It looks like Abbott couldn't stand the criticism he got by backing out of the statewide televised debate with Wendy Davis. His campaign is now saying Abbott will participate in the September 30th debate from Dallas. In addition, they are also agreeing to statewide televising of a debate in McAllen earlier. He is getting one small face-saving move. The Dallas debate will not be officially held by WFAA-TV (even though there is no real reason to change the media). Evidently Abbott is more afraid now of being perceived as running away from a woman, than he is of being beaten in a debate by a woman.

SECOND UPDATE -- We now learn that Abbott has agreed to a debate on KERA-TV, but he did that unilaterally -- without asking Wendy Davis, or clearing it with her campaign. It looks like compromise and agreeing on rules is not part of Abbott's game plan (just like other teabaggers). It's his way or the highway. This makes me wonder just what kind of nefarious thing KERA-TV agreed to, and why something couldn't be worked out with WFAA-TV and the Davis campaign. The Davis campaign has now responded by saying:

"There have been reports that the Abbott campaign has 'committed' to another debate, but as we learned today Greg Abbott's commitments don't mean very much. Wendy Davis has already committed the evening of September 30 to a debate on WFAA. The station has asked to have a discussion on Tuesday, September 2, to discuss options given the recent developments and, as Wendy Davis is someone who honors her commitments, the campaign looks forward to having that discussion."