Originally Posted: May 21, 2016
Greg Abbott’s book, bus tour put him in the political fast lane
Gov. Greg Abbott’s bus tour is meant to take him places.
I mean, besides a Half Price Books near Westworth Village.
When Abbott’s Broken But Unbowed tour bus rolls into Fort Worth today, it will be hauling the governor’s political hopes but also his baggage.
Abbott, a 23-year elected official serving his first term as governor, is positioning himself for a possible national political campaign or appointment.
But even arriving by luxury motor coach, Abbott does not make as much noise as former TV sports anchor and radio entertainer Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a potential political rival.
If Abbott has hope for higher office, he must clearly command state government. But with a divisive Republican presidential campaign ahead, followed by the Legislature in January (bringing more daily Patrick press conferences), this is almost Abbott’s only time to rally attention.
“Abbott is as cautious as Patrick is aggressive,” said Southern Methodist University political science professor Cal Jillson, “so Abbott always keeps an eye on him to be sure Patrick does not get by him on the right.”
Abbott is building his national conservative profile with the book, a memoir of his recovery from a disabling 1984 accident and also an essay on constitutional government. READ MORE