Greg Abbott's future

Selby checks in on AG Greg Abbott's political future:

Abbott, 49, was a candidate for lieutenant governor for several months in 2001 before the attorney general's job opened. There's talk of him trying afresh if Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst seeks another post.

Friends say Abbott, a former state district judge, even enjoys the scut work of politics many officeholders abhor.

Dallas lawyer Deborah Hankinson served on the Texas Supreme Court with Abbott, who was appointed to the court by Gov. George W. Bush in 1995.

"I didn't like raising money," she said. "He likes doing that. He enjoys the strategizing, the campaigning, the fundraising. . . . every aspect. Greg enjoyed every day, whether he was going to be out doing politics or he was going to be working at the court."

Royal Masset, a Republican consultant mindful of Abbott's zest, rates him the GOP favorite to succeed Dewhurst if Perry sets off the political dominoes. Abbott is better known than State Comptroller Susan Combs, Masset said, and hails from Houston, a strong Republican base.

That jockeying in the 2002 cycle was interesting. For a few weeks there, it looked like we were going to get a few Republican primaries for the first real time in Texas politics. But then Phil Gramm retired. Dewhurst had the Senate seat locked up until his indecision prompted Cornyn to declare and scare everyone out of the field. Then the dominoes cascaded the way they did.

Although I didn't quote it, Selby also brings up several (three?) times the freak accident that left Abbott paralyzed. Abbott must've been in a reflective mood when Selby interviewed him.

Kudos to Selby for not using the hackneyed AG/Aspiring Governor. I like to read the occasional story without that in there.

Posted by Evan @ 03/18/07 04:03 AM

 
 

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