Burnt Orange Report

McCaul for Congress... sort of.

By Byron LaMasters

Well, I wouldn't call this an endorsement, because I won't be voting for Michael McCaul in November, even if he's the only man on the ballot. I'll exercise my right to not vote in the Congressional District 10 race rather than vote for a Republican, be it Michael McCaul or Ben Streusand.

Having said that, if you live in CD 10 and did not vote in the Democratic Primary (Democratic Primary voters are ineligible to vote in the CD 10 GOP runoff), I would urge a vote for Michael McCaul in the CD 10 GOP run-off. Why? He's a conservative Republican, but he's not a crazy conservative Republican. Yeah, I know, it's a lesser of two evils here, but it's a Republican primary, so what do you expect. The other guy, Ben Streusand is a complete right-wing nut (think Bob Dornan). He publicizes his endorsement from State Rep. Debbie Riddle, a crazy right-wing nut, notorious for this comment on public education:

"Where did this idea come from--that everybody deserves free education?...It's like free groceries. It comes from Moscow. From Russia. Straight out of the oit of hell."--Representative Debbie Riddle, Austin, TX, March 5, 2003.

Streusand has also sent out a mailer to Republicans in the district emphasising how anti-gay he is. The Austin Chronicle reports:

"Ben Streusand will use his voice in Congress to say 'Enough is Enough' to the liberals. He will stand up for our pro-family values. As our Congressman, he will: Support a Constitutional Amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Fight attempts to add 'sexual orientation' as a protected minority. Support legislation to prevent homosexual couples from adopting children. Fight to keep homosexual couples from receiving the same tax benefits as married couples. Oppose 'civil unions' between same sex partners."

Streusand has also bought the endorsement of State Rep. Ray Allen, and is endorsed by Gary Bauer and by former CD 10 candidate (who posted the Ten Commandments in his courtroom) John Devine.

I don't really have much good to say about Michael McCaul, but he's from Austin, and I like to think that he'd at least consider Austin's interests in Congress. Despite the fact that the Texas Republican establishment is behind him, he's the best choice for Congress in CD 10.