MON brief 12.27.21

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Today’s Stories

GREG ABBOTT is attempting to gaslight Texans.

Before Christmas, the embattled Governor claimed credit for the state’s post-COVID economic recovery.

Greg Abbott @GregAbbott_TX

In job recovery from Covid, Red states lead. Texas is one of just three states that has recovered more than 100% of the jobs initially lost because of Covid. Our state is blessed with hard-working Texans.

First things first, for Greg Abbott to claim a return to March 2020 employment levels as a victory is a textbook example of what one of Abbott’s recent predecessors called “the soft bigotry of low expectations.”

But what makes Abbott’s statement particularly galling is that no matter how badly he wants to change the subject today, in March and April of 2020, local officials across Texas were enforcing his orders. Yes, when Abbott received sustained pushback (see next item), he (kind of, sorta) reversed himself. But the damage had already been done.

When Abbott’s early position became politically untenable, he then put a lobbyist “in charge” of micromanaging the state’s economy. A lobbyist whose clients just “happened” to include every big-box retailer in the state.

That’s right, Greg, the receipts are saved.

To the degree that Texas survived the pandemic in more robust economic positioning than other states, it’s only because the conservative grassroots forced Abbott to retreat at critical points. (AC)

Here’s a plug for SHELLEY LUTHER candidate for the Texas House (arrested for disobeying the Governor) to balance Abbott’s disinformation.

DANA DeBEAUVOIR, the soon-to-depart (Democrat) Travis County Clerk, is the recent subject of a slovenly puff piece.

The piece centers around DeBeauvoir’s alleged “exoneration” following an investigation by the Attorney General’s office over her conduct during the 2020 general election. At issue were restrictions on poll watchers that DeBeauvoir claimed were COVID related.

Democrats’ using COVID as a smokescreen to enact long-sought policy goals was, of course, a common feature of 2020.

We’ll grant that DeBeauvoir doesn’t seem to have violated the law here. But she used up her benefit of the doubt a long time ago. Regardless of the outcome, asking follow-up questions is a healthy exercise. (AC)

TEXAS DEMOCRATS are revolting against party chair Gilberto Hinojosa. It’s about time.

Gilberto Hinojosa is a full-time, professional loser. He remains in charge of the state party following a decade of repeated, high-priced failures that encapsulate why Texas Democrats are not a serious opposition party.

A revolt against Hinojosa is a potential turning point for the party. They’ll probably squander it. But it’s theoretically plausible.

The Democrats are like the Texas A&M football program: they can occasionally have a decent year but mostly spend money without seriousness of purpose, to accomplish moral victories. (AC)

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