The Chickening Begins: Abbott Backs out of Only Statewide Televised Debate

[blogslut]

http://www.wfaa.com/story/news/politics/2014/08/29/abbott-pulls-out-of-gubernatorial-debate-with-davis/14797259/

DALLAS – Republican candidate Greg Abbott has reversed his decision to appear in the only gubernatorial debate to be broadcast statewide on television.

Abbott and his Democratic opponent, Wendy Davis, had both agreed to participate in a roundtable debate in Dallas on Sept. 30.

But on Friday morning, Abbott's team reversed an earlier decision and said it will not participate alleging concern over the format.

"Due to our inability to agree on specific details of the format, Attorney General Greg Abbott will regretfully not be participating in the WFAA debate," said Robert Black, senior campaign advisor on Friday morning...

[Fred Sanders]

1. WTF? Why are open public debates not mandatory? So it is only about those ads and media?

So then it is only about the money and how much media you can buy? That strategy was constructed using a pigs ear of a legal case made into a purse by a messed up judiciary.

How surprising. What a fucked up election process and media America has.

[blogslut]

3. Media purchasing aside, this is more about Mr. Abbott being unable to control the debate format.

That's my guess.

[yeoman6987]

2. Our lieutenant Governor

Didn't participate in debate in the Democratic primary and still won. They had the debates without him. Hopefully it would hurt Abbott in Texas then a Candidate in Maryland.

[blogslut]

4. Sadly, Rick Perry got away with avoiding gubernatorial debates.

Granted, probably only the very dedicated Texans would watch a televised debate but then, what's said in a debate is what gets spread around by media and word of mouth.

[TexasTowelie]

5. He didn't want a roundtable debate.

1) That means he wants to be able to deliver and soundbite and not respond to questions asked by Davis.

2) A roundtable debate involves more moderators which means there is a greater chance that the moderators could pounce on his responses.

Overall, it means that he is scared to have to think on his feet (or is that his wheelchair seat) quickly.

The other debate in McAllen on September 19 remains on the schedule and Abbott's spokesman, Matt Hirsch, said the campaign will try to schedule another debate. Hirsch also said that the debate format "wouldn't have allowed for a 'thoughtful' discussion of issues."

http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2014-08-29/abbott-backs-out-televised-debate-davis#.VADtHmNgD2Q

[CoolOnion]

6. Pass the word...