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September 30, 2014      5:02 PM

HK: Wow! A real debate; Patrick and Van de Putte really mix it up.

Abbott’s previous refusal for follow up questions reduced last gubernatorial debate to farce

For people who actually watch the process, last night’s debate between Senators Dan Patrick and Leticia Van de Putte was far more satisfying than what was passed off as a gubernatorial debate last week.

The major take away? 

Whether you agree with him or not, Patrick can talk policy. Despite being in a candidate protection program for the last month, Patrick’s experience on talk radio and on the Senate floor made him a far more engaging debater than the top of the Republican ticket, AG Greg Abbott.  Abbott is the chief executive of the state’s largest law firm and like Rick Perry two years ago, is surprisingly unprepared to talk policy. As an apparent CEO surrounded by yes men, Abbott’s performance in his debate was full of misdirection and misleading statements.  In stark contrast, Patrick is battle-tested and hardened after six years in the state’s leading debate society.  Fact checkers will have a field day, but that is beside the point.

By Harvey Kronberg