4 key takeaways from the Texas governor's debate between Gov. Greg Abbott, Beto O'Rourke

[LetMyPeopleVote]

This is a good summary of the debate. The key thing that I took is that Beto challenged Abbott directly and was more aggressive than Betw was with Carnival Cruz. Carnival Cruz is an asshole and Beto did not do a good job of pinning Carnival Cruz down in 2018. Beto did a great job with Abbott

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https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/election/2022/article/takeaways-Texas-governor-debate-17469518.php?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=socialflow

But that doesn’t mean both candidates weren’t able to score major points in trying to define the other during their one and only face-to-face battle. Throughout Friday night's debate in Edinburg, Abbott labeled O’Rourke a flip-flopper while O’Rourke continually emphasized that Abbott has had eight years to fix problems such as shoring up the state's shaky power grid and school violence and hasn’t been able to get it done.....

O'Rourke, who has struggled in past debates, appeared far more disciplined in staying on his message and trying make his overall case against Abbott throughout the night — something he couldn't quite manage in 2018 when he ran for the U.S. Senate......

But O’Rourke was ready, saying the border has only gotten worse as Abbott has dithered with an array of “stunts” such as busing migrants to Democrat-controlled cities and slowing trade with Mexico by ordering more vehicle inspections in a gambit that cost Texas billions in lost trade.

“We are 8 years into his time as governor, and this is what we have on our border,” O’Rourke said, adding after $4 billion of spending on Abbott’s Operation Lone Star, more migrants are crossing than before......

It goes beyond the border. After Abbott said he wanted to raise teacher pay, O’Rourke said he’s had 8 years and the state’s teachers are still underpaid by $7,500 a year. Later, Abbott said he wanted to lower property taxes. Again, O’Rourke said Abbott’s had two terms in office to address it, but tax bills continue to climb.

And O’Rourke really hammered that point home in his closing statement.

"Look, I don't think that Greg Abbott wakes up wanting to see children shot in their schools or for the grid to fail, but it's clear he is incapable or unwilling to make the changes necessary to prioritize the lives of our fellow Texans," O’Rourke said.

I like this verion of Beto and he was far more effective than he was in 2018. Like Carnival Cruz, Abbott is a litigator but those skills did not work this time around

[SheltieLover]

1. Kicking for visibility

[olegramps]

19. The major problem isn't O'Rourke's performance but the apathy of far too many Democrats.

The major problem across the entire nation is the dismal number of Democrats who actually show up to vote in local and state elections. The Democrats could be in control of their destiny if they got off the lazy asses and voted. Until that happens the Republicans will continue to dominate virtually every state legislature where they will continue to pass extreme legislation. The story is replayed over and over as they wring their hands in despair. Having worked at the local and state level as a volunteer I have seen this scenario played over an over to the point of ad nauseum. The Demos don't show up and then bellyache about the legislation that is shoved down their throats like the gorged geese that are primed for slaughter and served on the master's table. After a while you realize that any hope for change is dismal at best. I have seen many volunteers simply see it as a hopeless situation and simply don't show up any longer.

[GreenWave]

2. fingers crossed for good luck Beto!

[TigressDem]

3. K&R K& R K&R K&R K& R K&R K&R K& R K&R

[FakeNoose]

4. Come on Texas Dems! This is it - time to put Abbott out to pasture

Get Out the Vote - Texas deserves better than Greg Abbott.

[Cha]

5. "Key takeaways. Don't vote for Abbott if you are

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Adn, if you Love America Not Fascist Russia.

Rt TY, LmPV! GOTV 4 Beto!

[dalton99a]

7. +1

[calimary]

15. And another +1

Times a thousand.

[KS Toronado]

6. Beto won last night hands down

And will be the next Governor of Texas.

[calimary]

16. Sure do hope so!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

8. Share this recap, and join us in defeating Greg Abbott

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[bucolic_frolic]

9. That's how you convince voters to oust an incumbent

or in Abbott's case, an indumbent. You make the case, state the reasons, drive home the connection to voters and the impact on their lives. That's how you do it. I think the race will get tighter.

[iluvtennis]

10. KnR. YAASSS! n/t

[DFW]

11. I keep hoping that Beto, this time, will be our Sredni Vashtar to Abbot's wicked Mrs. De Ropp

And I'm thinking MAYBE this time.................

[Lonestarblue]

12. I am so hoping that Beto wins in November.

Texas is definitely going in the wrong direction toward right-wing religious control. Abbott’s policy of luring companies to Texas with huge tax incentives has also meant that homeowners are picking up much of the tab for infrastructure and new roads. Property owners are fed ip with tax increase, but too often they blame the local taxing authorities, not the governor who lured companies—and thousands of people—to the state. The growth has contributed to very high prices for homes and rents, turning cities like Austin into an unaffordable place to live.

Fingers crossed that Texas voters come to their senses and toss out the Republicans.

[ananda]

13. He is just so excellent, that Beto!

!!!

[The Bopper]

14. My fear

Is Texas being Texas about guns, the swing voters will be inundated by the NRA.

[FalloutShelter]

17. K&R

GO BETO

[Hermit-The-Prog]

18. I can't see what Abbott has done to deserve 1 vote.

Roe, Roe, Roe your vote
against theocracy!
Republicans revoke your rights
and kill democracy!

THESE are the races that will determine control of the House of Representatives:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100217192221

Stick 'em up for a blue wave: https://www.democraticunderground.com/100217078977

[LetMyPeopleVote]

20. 2 out of 3 Texans believe Democrat Beto O'Rourke defeated Republican Greg Abbott in the debate

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