OPINION:
ANALYSIS/OPINION
Wendy Davis, the Democrat running for governor in Texas, is under fire for a campaign ad focused on her Republican opponent Greg Abbott’s partial paralysis. She’s sticking by the advertisement, but her damage control efforts showcase either hypocrisy or a disturbing lack of self-awareness.
The ad, featuring an empty wheelchair, aimed to paint Mr. Abbott as a hypocrite for pursuing millions in damages after his 1984 injury but allegedly denying the same opportunity to other Texans as a judge and attorney general.
On Sunday, her pollster Joel Benenson said the much-derided ad was justified, suggesting Mr. Abbott uses his wheelchair as a prop in campaign ads.
He told the Texas Tribune that Mr. Abbott has “prominently featured himself in the wheelchair in his ads.”
Mr. Abbott can’t appear in an advertisement without his wheelchair, but it’s fair to say some of his ads have highlighted his disability.
SEE ALSO: Wendy Davis defends wheelchair ad in Texas race
Mr. Benenson’s justification for the ad may have some basis, but Ms. Davis moved quickly to destroy any sort of high ground.
Today, Ms. Davis featured several supporters in wheelchairs at a press conference to double down on the attack ad, The Daily Caller reported.
Highlighting wheelchair-bound supporters may be good for campaign optics in other circumstances, but probably not after painting your opponent as a hypocrite who uses disability as a prop.
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