Gov. Abbott Jabs Those Asking ‘Who’s to Blame’ for Texas Tragedy: That’s the ‘Word Choice of Losers’

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) spoke to reporters on Tuesday and gave an update on the ongoing search and recovery efforts from devastating flooding in Kerr County. Officials said that at least 161 people are still missing and 110 people are confirmed dead from the flash flooding.

Abbott took questions from reporters, including one who asked the Republican who is to blame for the scale of the tragedy.

“Right, so I want to talk about two different things. The first part of your question, and that is an investigation. We know a special session is coming in about 10 days. That’s where I would say it begins. Briefly, those investigations will begin in both the House and Senate before we go into session. So, probably beginning later this week or the early part of next week, committees will be formed that are already kind of working on ideas about ways to address this,” began Abbott, adding:

The second part of your question needs to be addressed. You ask—I’m going to use your words—”Who’s to blame?” Know this: that’s the word choice of losers. Let me explain one thing about Texas. And that is, Texas—every square inch of our state—cares about football. You could be in Hunt, Texas; Huntsville, Texas; Houston, Texas; any size community that cares about football, high school, Friday night lights, college football, or pro. And know this: every football team makes mistakes. The losing teams are the ones that try to point out who’s to blame. The championship teams are the ones who say, “Don’t worry about it, man. We got this. We’re going to make sure that we go score again, that we’re gonna win this game.”

The way winners talk is not to point fingers. They talk about solutions. What Texas is all about is solutions. In fact, I want to read you something that I received last night that’s worth emphasizing to put this in context: “Tragedy has come—that part is done. What we do now, who we are now, that’s where the story is still being written. Let it be one of grace, of grit, of fierce love in the face of grief.

Let it be the kind of story that proves that the hill country may flood, but it does not fail. Say what you will about Texas, but when the rivers rise, so do we—not with blame, not with bitterness, but with boots on the ground, arms around strangers, and hearts wide open. That’s the Texas I know, and that’s the America that I believe in.” What this person wrote is what I know is true for all of Texas, and what we will achieve every single day.

Watch the clip above via CNN.