A well-known Texas newspaper has revised its stance on Governor Greg Abbott, critiquing him for disseminating “spewing lies and half-truths.”
Expectations Betrayal
The publication initially endorsed Abbott for his character and governance potential but now accuses him of betraying those expectations.
“Wrong” Endorsement
The Daily Sentinel admits it was “wrong” to endorse the governor, who is now going after fellow Republicans who did not support his school vouchers initiative.
Active Campaigning
Abbott, who took office in 2015, has not only focused on illegal immigration but has also actively campaigned for Texas statewide candidates.
Opposing Republican Candidates
These candidates are challenging 16 Republican lawmakers who opposed his voucher initiative last year, aimed at redirecting taxpayer funds to enable certain students to attend private schools.
A Decade of Support
“A decade ago, we endorsed Greg Abbott, saying the then-Texas Attorney General was a man of good character who had ‘the respect necessary to govern our state,'” reads an editorial by the Daily Sentinel.
“Disrespecter-in-Chief”
It added, “Our opinion of what makes a good governor hasn’t changed, but Abbott has. He’s become the Disrespecter-in-Chief of Texas.”
Fear Mongerer
“After listening to Abbott stoop to fear mongering, spewing lies and half-truths and twisting logic in contradictory and baffling ways,” the editorial continued, “we believe he no longer respects the rural voters who have sent him to Austin for three terms.”
Student Vouchers
In November, Abbott faced resistance within his own party in passing a bill that would have provided taxpayer subsidies of up to $10,000 per year, per student, for private and religious schools.
Rural Opposition
The majority of Republicans supporting the removal of vouchers from the state’s education funding hailed from rural areas.
Big Rural Win
During his 2022 victory against Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke, Abbott secured approximately 80% of votes from rural counties across Texas, according to the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin.
Number of Voters
In the 2022 election, voters from rural areas made up about 13.37% of the total registered voters and contributed to 13.84% of the total votes cast.
Strategic Political Moves
Mark Jones, a political science professor, noted that Abbott’s active campaigning against opponents of vouchers is unexpected, given his historical reluctance to support challengers to sitting Republican incumbents.
Dual Purpose
According to Jones, Abbott’s endorsements serve dual purposes: firstly, to eliminate GOP incumbents against school choice to clear the path for related legislation in 2025, and secondly, to demonstrate to legislators the severe consequences of opposing his key policies, implying a tough response to such defiance.
Targeting Opponents
The Sentinel specifically calls out Abbott’s attacks on Republicans like Travis Clardy and DeWayne Burns, who resisted the voucher proposal. Abbott’s aggressive tactics include social media critiques and endorsing primary challengers.
Outside Donations
Accusations of Abbott leveraging out-of-state donations to influence the electorate have also surfaced.
Buying Votes
“This election cycle, he wants to buy the votes of rural Texans with a campaign of lies financed by billionaires from out of state,” the editorial claims, highlighting concerns over Abbott’s reliance on big contributions from figures like Jeff Yass, who gave $6 million to Abbot in December.
A Divisive Leadership Approach
Abbott’s third tenure has been marked by divisive strategies, from his migrant transportation policies to border security enhancements, positioning him as a polarizing figure on the national stage.
Border Confrontation
The governor has been in confrontation with President Joe Biden’s administration over border issues in the past year and a half, primarily due to the influx of large migrations. He has implemented various measures to curb the flow of migration.
Installing Barriers
These efforts have involved lawsuits and federal court battles, including debates over the use of razor wire in heavily trafficked zones like Shelby Park in Eagle Pass and the implementation of floating barriers in the Rio Grande.
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