A few weeks ago, it seemed that Andrew Cuomo was on track to break a New York curse and go through a third term. But now, troubled by a Covid scandal, his political future looks less certain.
George Seay, who served as finance president for Perry’s presidential candidacy in 2012, said he is opposed to the “charge” over the storm response and believes that Abbott is being unfairly attacked, but that the current governor needs to take some responsibility for the situation .
“Leaders have to say that this is not only unacceptable, not just an abandonment of duty towards the citizens of Texas, their public safety and the common good, but we have to confess that,” said Seay. “The governor is not an expert in power generation, but he needs to raise his hand and say: ‘I am responsible for this’. It’s not fair to him, to be clear, but that’s the job. “
Seay said Cruz’s decision to flee to Mexico – only to announce his return when the news leaked and he drew harsh criticism – will not hurt him as much as his role in opposing Congressional Electoral College certification on January 6, when pro-Trump protesters stormed the Capitol.
“Is he focused on issues that focus on the good of Texas? In truth. He is focused on running for president in 2024 and on political machinations, ”said Seay. “The circular and guilt firing squads that we are seeing do not help.”
Meanwhile, Democrats took the opportunity to contrast Republican leadership in Texas with President Joe Biden’s administration, which quickly offered full federal aid and previous plans to update infrastructure, combat climate change and expand the use of renewable energy.
“Whether Abbott’s failed response or Cruz’s abandonment of our state, we must not put people in charge of the government who do not believe in government. They fail us every time, ”said former federal housing secretary Julián Castro, a Democrat who is considering an offer against Abbott or Cruz.
Cruz’s short trip to Cancún made him the biggest target of all. His habit of attacking politicians for taking time off during a disaster, his mockery of California for his power problems and his letter to Biden last week to keep the U.S.-Mexico border as closed as possible due to Covid have come back to haunt him.
Democrats sought to increase the contrast between Cruz and his opponent in the 2018 Senate, former deputy Beto O’Rourke, by pointing out that the senator went to Cancún and tweeted about the death of the presenter of a radio program Rush Limbaugh while his former rival stayed in El Paso and tried to gather his followers on social media to help other Texans.
“It is extremely important in government and politics to be seen doing things,” said Brendan Steinhauser, a Republican strategist in Texas. “It is important to be seen leading.”
Steinhauser said that Abbott had established himself as a leader in previous crises, but it took longer after the storm because “he had to find his balance. At first, he probably didn’t think the blackouts would last that long. “
Chris Perkins, a Republican data analyst and state researcher, said there was a lot of anger and frustration out there.
“There is no manual because the state has never seen a winter like this in its history,” said Perkins. “Cities talk to boil water, but there is no tap water. Use gas to boil the water, but the wells are freezing, so conserve the gas. State leaders are trying to give the public the most up-to-date information, but it is difficult because there is no historical manual on what to do. ”