[marktwain]

Why does Abbot feel it necessary to promise to pardon when he can use the same energy and time and just issue a pardon?

Because he cannot "just issue a pardon".

Under the Texas Constitution, he may only pardon people if the Texas Pardon Board recommends it.

[dfwgator]

In other words, he’s going to do nothing, but he likes to talk as if he is going to do something.