Here is a picture of Greg Abbott, Republican gubernatorial candidate for the great state of Texas:
Abbott isn’t in that wheelchair for a sprained ankle. He’s been a paraplegic for the last 30 years.
With that fact in mind, here’s the latest press release from St. Wendy of the Fluorescent Footwear, following up on the recent revelation that she’s a big fat liar (emphasis mine):
We’re not surprised by Greg Abbott’s campaign attacks on the personal story of my life as a single mother who worked hard to get ahead. But they won’t work, because my story is the story of millions of Texas women who know the strength it takes when you’re young, alone and a mother. I’ve always been open about my life not because my story is unique, but because it isn’t.
The truth is that at age 19, I was a teenage mother living alone with my daughter in a trailer and struggling to keep us afloat on my way to a divorce. And I knew then that I was going to have to work my way up and out of that life if I was going to give my daughter a better life and a better future and that’s what I’ve done. I am proud of where I came from and I am proud of what I’ve been able to achieve through hard work and perseverance. And I guarantee you that anyone who tries to say otherwise hasn’t walked a day in my shoes.
Or in anyone’s shoes, for several decades now.
But wait, there’s more! Apparently there’s something called Annie’s List, which bills itself as “a diverse coalition of political professionals, non-profit executives, policy experts, former candidates and elected officials, major donors, attorneys and more, all dedicated to changing the face of power in Texas politics – and thereby combating the assault on issues of most importance to women and their families – by recruiting, training and supporting women candidates across the state.” Here’s Annie’s List Executive Director Grace Garcia responding to the fact that Wendy Davis tells big fat lies (again, emphasis mine):
We’re not surprised Republicans have attempted to undermine Wendy Davis’ campaign by calling her past into question – we have seen similar attacks launched against women candidates before. The recent personal attacks on Wendy Davis and her family are blatant attempts to thwart her campaign and undermine her success. Just last week, the Davis campaign announced impressive fundraising numbers from donors in every county in Texas. Greg Abbott is running scared and for good reason.
And what’s the good reason that Greg Abbott is running scared? Wendy Davis can cure paraplegics? Is she claiming divinity now? At this point, that would qualify as humility on her part.
Now, let’s get something straight: These are gaffes. Not “gaffes,” as Davis’s defenders are trying to characterize her lies, but actual gaffes. She and her supporters aren’t mocking Abbott’s infirmity. Wendy Davis may not be the most, ahem, surefooted politician, but even she’s not that dumb.
But you can damn well bet that if the political parties were reversed, these gaffes would kick Chris Christie off every front page in the country. MSNBC would be running “pink sneaker in mouth” chyrons all day long. SNL would be crazy-go-nuts for Wendy Davis jokes. Hell, Letterman might even forget his weird Palin obsession long enough to make fun of Davis.
She’s a Democrat, though. She’s their darling, their Abortion Barbie. So even though she has no chance of winning, they’re running interference for her. She must be protected from herself. They’re scolding us for pointing out her lies and her bumbling ineptitude, because facts are sexist. Why, this is just more evidence of the Republican #WarOnWomen!
Schadenfreude is a base and vulgar emotion. Ain’t it great? 🙂
(Hat tip: Neo-Neocon and Instapundit)
Update: As the invaluable Twitchy points out, Davis is maybe kinda sorta panicking over this whole thing.
My story of struggle and sacrifice is not unique – it is the story of millions of Texas women. Our opponents are scared of that truth.
— Wendy Davis (@WendyDavisTexas) January 21, 2014
The other side has reached a new low – attacking my family, my education and playing politics with something that is deeply personal.
— Wendy Davis (@WendyDavisTexas) January 21, 2014
I share my story of being a single mother, of fighting for a chance at a better life not because my story is unique, but because it is not.
— Wendy Davis (@WendyDavisTexas) January 21, 2014
Mine is the story of single mothers who feel alone in the world, searching for their chance to become something more. http://t.co/WmURHnVgp3
— Wendy Davis (@WendyDavisTexas) January 21, 2014
And you’re damn right it’s a true story. http://t.co/WmURHnVgp3
— Wendy Davis (@WendyDavisTexas) January 21, 2014
Our stories, fighting to give our children a better future across Texas, are what drives this campaign every day. http://t.co/WmURHnVgp3
— Wendy Davis (@WendyDavisTexas) January 21, 2014
The only thing Abbott & his allies have proven with these desperate attacks is that they don’t understand these Texas stories of struggle.
— Wendy Davis (@WendyDavisTexas) January 21, 2014
No false attack can take away my story. And no sleazy political trick will stop me from giving voice to yours. http://t.co/WmURHnVgp3
— Wendy Davis (@WendyDavisTexas) January 21, 2014
Yeah, Wendy. You run with that.
Update: “Greg Abbott walks into a house in El Paso…” Ooooof.