The Latest: Texas Governor Says 'Bathroom Bill' Not Priority

[DonViejo]

Source: U.S. News & World Report/The AP


Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says a divisive "bathroom bill" that targets transgender people isn't on his agenda if re-elected.

Sept. 28, 2018, at 9:12 p.m.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Latest on the Texas governor's debate between Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Democratic challenger Lupe Valdez (all times local):

Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says a "bathroom bill" that targets transgender people isn't on his agenda if re-elected. But he stopped short of saying he would veto one if the Legislature sends it to his desk.

Abbott on Friday night was asked in a debate with Democratic challenger Lupe Valdez whether he would support another attempt at passing a North Carolina-style bill that would impose bathroom restrictions on transgender people in schools and public spaces. Abbott went against other GOP governors in 2017 in pushing for such a bill, which was hotly opposed by Fortune 500 companies, police and sports leagues. The measure failed twice.

Abbott is a heavy favorite to win a second term. Valdez would become Texas' first Hispanic, openly gay governor if elected.

Read more: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/texas/articles/2018-09-28/the-latest-texas-governor-says-bathroom-bill-not-priority

[ananda]

1. Why Abbott is popular here is totally beyond me!

Pretty much nobody likes Dan Patrick, though.

[bucolic_frolic]

2. Abbott is saying

where we pee is less important than who we grope. Valdez is brave running in TX. Implausible that orientation will be an invisible issue.

[Lonestarblue]

3. Democrats have been unable to recruit strong candidates against Republicans in Texas.

Many more seats are being contested here this year, but in the past the Democratic Party has looked at gerrymandered districts and decided that investing in a candidate was not worth the time and money. For the same reason, it has been difficult to recruit Democratic candidates for governor because anyone with name recognition (think of the Castro brothers) has not wanted to enter a contest that would almost certainly result in a loss because Texas is still thoroughly red in the rural districts and in at least one large metropolitan area (Fort Worth). The other large cities in Texas have turned blue over the years, but the total numbers in those cities are still lower than the totals of all the rural communities in this very large state. Part of the problem is that Hispanics especially have a low voting turnout record. Considering that Texas has early voting, almost everyone who is registered should have the opportunity to vote but many just choose not to vote. More outreach to nonvoters is definitely needed.

[Liberalagogo]

5. I presume you meant to add "lately" to that broad statement

How soon we forget Mark White and the still ever popular and mourned late Ann Richards.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

4. He is not concerned about it because it does not help bidness.

In Texas, like most red states, only that which helps bidness (as Molly Ivins called it) and the wealthy is worthy of Repug policy consideration.

They would have transgenders just go to the bushes, then arrest them for public indecency......

[keithbvadu2]

6. When Donald comes to Texas for Rafael Cruz

[Paladin]

7. It will remain a priority for creepy Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and the dipshit right-wingers. (nt)

[jmowreader]

8. Well, there goes the wingnut vote

I think the boy just made a mistake he can’t weasel his way out of.

There are three groups of voters.

One group thinks it’s extremely important that trans people be required to use the bathroom that corresponds to their birth gender.

One group thinks it’s extremely important that trans people be allowed to use the bathroom that corresponds to their expressed gender.

And the third thinks it’s very important that trans people use the bathroom before they explode, and don’t care which one they use.

He made this statement to win over Group 2, and in the process pissed off Group 1. Groups 2 and 3 weren’t going to vote for him anyway; he makes Shrub Bush look like a good governor.

The worst problem is, this statement could motivate Group 1ers to stay home, and he needs them to keep Cruz in the Senate.

[mpcamb]

9. Between the lines(?): Maybe we can't win this in court.

Or:
Maybe 5 weeks before election isn't the time to stuff this down the public's throat.
Or:
Ted's in deep dodo; maybe we should hold off.