AG Greg Abbott Fears Battleground Texas More Than North Korea
Kim Jung-un may have nuclear missiles pointed towards Central Texas, but Attorney General Greg Abbott is more concerned about the grassroots organizers pointing Democrats towards the voting booth.
Think Progress reports:
Abbott made his comments at a McLennan County Republican Club lunchtime event in Waco, TX, using the venue to repeatedly slam the Obama administration’s policies. In doing so, Abbott took thew Republicans of the encroaching threat that Democrats pose to their very way of life. Pointing to the group Battleground Texas, composed of veterans of the Obama presidential campaigns, the Abbott argued that the Democratic Party is a far greater concern to the state than North Korea:
“One thing that requires ongoing vigilance is the reality that the state of Texas is coming under a new
assault, an assault far more dangerous than what the leader of North Korea threatened when he said he was going to add Austin, Texas, as one of the recipients of his nuclear weapons,” Abbott said. “The threat that we’re getting is the threat from the Obama administration and his political machine.”
Abbott's fears can be understood considering
Texas comes in 47th in state ranking of Percent of 'Voting-Age Population Registered to Vote" and 51st in 'Percent of Voting-Age Population that Votes'.
The Houston Chronicle recently reported that if Texas Latinos had the same turnout rate as Anglo voters, the Lone Star State would already be a Battleground (purple).
Let's all hope that Battleground Texas addresses the democracy participation problem through education, registration and GOTV efforts and that Texas Republicans fail in their ongoing efforts to keep people from voting. GOTV is paramount in moving Texas towards Blue.
To quote Texas on The Brink (a great read) that has just published Texas statistics for 2013:
In Texas today, the American dream is distant. Texas has the
highest percentage of uninsured adults in the nation. Texas is
dead last in percentage of high school graduates. Our state
generates more hazardous waste and carbon dioxide emissions
than any other state in our nation. If we do not change course,
for the first time in our history, the Texas generation of tomorrow
will be less prosperous than the generation of today.
Without the courage to invest in the minds of our children and
steadfast support for great schools, we face a daunting prospect.
Those who value tax cuts over children and budget cuts over
college have put Texas at risk in her ability to compete and
succeed.
Let us not forget that the business of Texas is Texans. Improving
the health and well being of our citizens will allow Texas to thrive
for years to come. If we invest in our greatest resource – our
children – Texas will be the state of the future. If we do not,
Texas will only fall further behind.
Texas is on the brink, but Texas can do better. The choice is ours.