Posted on 07/14/2013 6:52:21 PM PDT by Hojczyk
Abbott, fresh out of law school, was jogging through Houston's River Oaks neighborhood on July 14, 1984, when a 75-foot oak tree suddenly splintered at its base, striking him in the back and partially paralyzing him. Abbott sued the homeowner and a tree company that had worked in the area and collected millions.
He has since become a proponent of limiting civil litigation in Texas and capping the amount of damages that can be awarded. Opponents have called him a hypocrite, but Abbott has largely shrugged off such criticisms. He rarely speaks about his accident, but chose to Sunday.
"Piecing my life back together began with doctors piecing my vertebrae back together," he said, noting physicians inserted rods in his back. "Too often, you hear politicians talk about having a spine of steel. I actually have one."
Abbott has spent months solidifying his right flank, speaking to grass-roots organizations and tea party groups in hopes of making the governor's race a foregone conclusion. Abbott has also been cheered by many in his party for giving tea party firebrand and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz his start when he appointed him solicitor general in 2003.
Abbott promised Sunday to downsize government, set "real spending limits in Austin" and stroked social conservative fires by saying, "Our priorities are wrong when we live in a state that stops a valedictorian from mentioning God but doesn't stop drug cartels crossing our border."
But he's best known for using his office to sue the federal government 27 times during President Barack Obama's tenure, legal battles that have cost Texas at least $2.58 million. The results are decidedly mixed: Five wins, nine losses, nine pending and four where Texas dropped its complaint because of changing circumstances. His chief target was the Environmental Protection
(Excerpt) Read more at chron.com ...
Attorney General Abbott has taken on Hussein time after time on our behalf. I particularly liked it when he sent a letter to Hussein telling him he would arrest any federal officer the minute he, or they, stepped across the Texas border in an effort to remove anyone’s gun in Texas.
And, when Holder said he was sending federal officers to go into our polling places, Abbott shot off another letter saying any federal officer who attempted to go into our polling places would be arrested. Gotta love the man who has a real steel rod in his back.
Pauken is a good man. If you know him, tell him I said hi. My screen name is my real name.
We certanly do indeed have some interesting FReepers. It is amusing when you think about it. But it seems as if Abbott’s supporters don’t have much of a sense of humor. You know it’s good to laugh every once in a while. Think about it, post a pro-Abbott thread here, and instead of extolling the virtues of Abbott, they blast a Pauken supporter instead. Don’t you think Abbott’s people should be happy and joyous with the recent announcement? They should be celebrating. I can understand their fears though, they worry about the Pauken-Abbott Debates, which may show that the emperor (Abbott) has no clothes. So I understand their motivation to attack Pauken and such a newbie as myself for supporting him. In politics, you only attack what you fear.
It appears I’m missing some preceding drama. :-)
I don’t know Abbott but I was friends with Mr. Pauken when I was active with the Dallas Republican Party and the North Dallas Young Republicans back in the late 80s and early 90s. Perhaps we’ve met?
Anyway, I’ll be paying attention. Looks to be an interesting race to say the least. :-)
Thanks for your post, sometimes I feel like Ted Cruz. You know, fighting a lonely battle. But it’s worth it. Texas should take a closer look at Pauken. When they get to know him, they will be more supportive of him. As I said before and will likely redundantly say again, don’t judge my words about Pauken, go to one of his speeches and judge for yourself.
I do not know who to support - too early - but I hope when asked about an issue he can do better than say “I wrote a letter”... with no action to follow it. It will seem like an Issa hearing
Be careful. If he’s got Rove in his camp, then all his rhetoric is just hot air to get people like you believing in him enough to vote.
Need to look at his record and his relationships like Rove and others.
Rove is two-faced; be extra careful.
As I have already said...I find you quite amusing.
Since you don’t know who I support it might be best to withhold judgment. For the time being.
for the record I follow Abbott on facebook and not yet Pauken nor do I know who else will run
I am a Texan and I like Abbott very much, I will however watch the debates....but I think you are trying to smear him too!
Yes, it would be nice to get to know each other as friends even if we disagree. Just letting you FReepers know it’s not personal, but I got a bad habit, I like to act like a guard dog when I support a candidate. I don’t know why, but that’s just me.
Agreed, the debates will be really important to watch. I do like the idea of Lincoln-Douglas style Debates. We could have them in the major cities of Texas: Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, Austin, El Paso and Amarillo. I bet huge crowds would turn out. They should even let spectators cheer and jeer for their candidate. It would be like watching a football game.
No way! He has a spine of steel.
Can’t wait to see his courage in those Pauken-Abbott Debates. How come Abbott hasn’t accepted the debate invitation from Pauken yet? What kind of “spine of steel” is that?
Elizabeth Ames Jones would be a much better candidate. Abbott is a thuggish presence just like Dewherst. We just need a conservative.
His protection of my rights isn’t just ‘hot air’.
Well then, how about filling all of us in about why anyone should trust that he will do what he says he will do?
I remember well that LBJ was famous for saying “Do what I say, not as I do”.
How is filing frivolus lawsuits at Texan taxpayers’ expense a “defense of your rights?” Of course if Abbott was a brilliant debator he could have showed up at the courtroom and defended the rights of Texans against the Obummer Regime. Oh wait, he never made an in-person argument in the court room to defend your rights. He just signed his name on some papers and went home. That’s a ‘show horse for you, while Pauken is a ‘work horse.’ Sometimes as governor of the Great State of Texas you may just have to work after 5 pm. There’s more to being a governor than having ‘Good Hair.’
His defense of my rights is not frivolous. That you would insinuate that they are, confirms that I’ve made the correct decision.
I suggest you refrain from attacking him, you’ve actually driven someone who would consider someone other than Abbott firmly into his camp.
Given his track record in attacking Obamacare and gay marriage in the state of Texas?
He’s already been doing what the people want him to do as TX atty general. As a result Texans have been immune to Obamacare crap - none of the Texans in any way shape or form have to contribute anything to Obamacare. Why? Because Abbott did his job to protect our rights.
As far as I’m concerned, he’s earned the position.
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