FRI brief 5.27.22
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Today’s Stories
GREG ABBOTT AND DAN PATRICK are ceding the battlefield.
This is the conclusion drawn from their respective announcements this morning that both would skip previously scheduled appearances at the National Rifle Association’s meeting in Houston.
Abbott and Patrick will frame their decisions in “prayerful consideration” and “sensitivity,” or some equivalent platitude.
It’s misguided mob appeasement.
Abbott and Patrick are trying to curry favor with those who incorrigibly hate them. Nothing good ever comes from unilateral concessions.
Understand something: This isn’t a brief for the NRA. We don’t like them either.
In addition to chronic underperformance as an advocacy organization, the NRA has been plagued by financial scandals. That’s never a good sign. That, within recent memory, the organization was run by an Iran-Contra war criminal further illustrates our concerns.
Yet, financial scandals and Iran-Contra connections didn’t phase Abbott and Patrick. But woe unto those who dissent from a narrative.
Pathetic.
The TEXAS TRIBUNE, meanwhile, is attempting to run interference with JOHN CORNYN.
It’s unlikely to succeed but revealing.
Specifically, the Tribune contrasts past Cornyn's positions on gun rights (positive) with Ted Cruz's (negative). They’re attempting to drive a wedge.
It’s not a crazy strategy. John Cornyn’s position on red flag laws speaks for itself.
Aside: Dan Crenshaw is waiting in the wings
Still, it’s unlikely to work.
While Cornyn holds malleable positions on constitutional rights, he can count votes. There’s zero chance he can get to 60 votes in the U.S. Senate as currently constructed. Thus, it’s not in his interest to expose his right flank.
GEORGE P. BUSH got fewer votes than the stripping novelty candidate.
Hit the Links
Must read background information on Uvalde, TX #1
Must read background information on Uvalde, TX #2
Texas Baseball continues to strengthen its postseason position.
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