Texas state senator Wendy Davis became famous after her 13-hour filibuster in protest of Governor Rick Perry. In her open letter, host Melissa Harris-Perry introduces us to Davis' likely opponent: Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott.
On Thursday, thousands of Texans finally heard the official announcement they’d been waiting for:
“I am proud to announce my candidacy to be the 48th governor of this great state.”
Wendy Davis knows she’s the underdog. But being a lone voice among law makers in the Lone Star State doesn’t seem to intimidate Ms. Davis. She’s been hearing chants of “run, Wendy, run” ever since her epic 13-hour filibuster in June. That was when the state senator made national news for taking on Texas’ extreme anti-reproductive rights legislation. Now all eyes turn to Texas as we anticipate who will replace good ol’ Rick “I-know-there-is-a-third-federal-agency-I’d-close” Perry.
So I thought it would be a good time to address a letter to Wendy Davis’ likely opponent and current favorite in the race, Texas Attorney General and Republican candidate for governor, Greg Abbott.
Dear Greg,
It’s me, Melissa. How you are taking the news of Wendy Davis’ bid?
I remember how you responded to this assessment of her potential candidacy from one of your supporters when he sent this (since-deleted) tweet in August:
“Greg Abbott would absolutely demolish idiot Wendy Davis in Gov race – run Wendy run! Retard Barbie to learn life lesson.”
Your response? Ignore it? I mean we can’t be responsible for everyone tweeting at us. Or maybe, express at least a little outrage at such incivility and sexist name calling? You know, take the high road.
Nope. Greg you simply tweeted back:
@jefflegal@tcot — Jeff, thanks for your support. #TGDN— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) August 17, 2013
But who wants to be judged by their lowest social media moment? I’ll let that one slide and talk about your record. You like to describe your job as attorney general by saying,
“I go into the office, I sue Barack Obama, and then I go home.”
Well, in Texas they say, “Go big or go home,” and you have been going big on that “Suing Barack Obama” self-mandate.
Some 27 lawsuits since President Obama took office, at a cost of more than $2.8 million to the state of Texas. And 17 of those lawsuits aimed at the Environmental Protection Agency.
What could be your beef with the EPA? Maybe it’s just your commitment to those oil and “fracking” executives in Texas, many of whom have been going big when it comes to campaign contributions for you.
But maybe it is really about suing President Obama. You have vowed to never stop fighting the Affordable Care Act. Which means you proudly rejected Medicaid expansion in Texas even though your state has the highest percentage of uninsured residents in the country.
Clearly you are against anything bearing the president’s name. Is that where your protegé, Ted Cruz, got this whole shutdown of the federal government over nonsense idea? Mr. Abbott, this strategy has an expiration date. President Obama is only going to be president for a few more years. Then, you may have to actually be for something.
Right now you seem to be for the new restrictive voter-ID law in Texas that is being challenged by the Department of Justice. You’re also a big fan of gerrymandering districts to decrease Democratic influence, even if those redrawn districts are illegal and discriminate against black and Latino voters. You’re against President Obama and all he stands for. And you are for using the power of the state to reduce and dilute minority voting.
At least Texas voters will have a stark choice in their next gubernatorial election. And if they are all done with you suing the president, maybe they’ll be ready to see you go home.
Sincerely,
Melissa