Matt Mackowiak Talks Future Issues for Parities and Gubernatorial Candidates [Audio]

On the Monday edition of the Chad Hasty Show, GOP strategist Matt Mackowiak spoke with Chad about the gubernatorial race, Nancy Pelosi and the Affordable Care Act, and top issues for Republicans and Democrats.

Regarding Wendy Davis's campaign efforts to bring up equal pay as a major issue, Mackowiak suggested she is using this and attacks on Greg Abbott to gain votes. However, he said the problem with her campaign is that he has not seen any real vision or message for the future of Texas. Mackowiak observed, "The problem is that attacking is not a message. Attacking can reduce the support your opponent has, but you still have to win those votes." He suggested Davis' strategy is a result of Greg Abbott having the feel of an incumbent. This would make it difficult to convince people that he is wrong for Texas and that the state is going in the wrong direction when many believe that the opposite is true.

When asked who has the better campaign between Davis and Leticia Van De Putte, Mackowiak predicted that, although Van De Putte has raised less money and is less well known to Texans, both candidates would certainly lose, though Van De Putte would lose by a narrower margin.

There has been some discussion regarding Nancy Pelosi's statements on CNN Sunday night about the greatness of Affordable Care Act and it is being embraced by Democrats. Mackowiak believes Pelosi is out of touch with other Democrats because she is rich and in a very liberal district and that she is not helping the Democratic Party by making such comments. Regarding the Affordable Care Act, Mackowiak suggested this is one major issues that Democrats will shy away from, turning the focus to any other issue, particularly the minimum wage. As far as major issues that may come up for Republicans, he said it would not be wise to bring up immigration until both the House and Senate are secured and a Republican President is elected in 2017.

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Listen to the full interview: