Anyone even remotely related to Mark McClellan by blood has got to be really talented.

What you're seeing with the Texas Republicans right now is a reverse of the situation for a century in the state -- with the current Texas Democratic Party is such poor shape to mount a statewide challenge, the GOP has developed open factions between its moderate and conservative wings.

Perry, Hutchison and Strayhorn were all considered part of the moderates back in the 1990s, and were supported by Bush, with Perry and Strayhorn (she was Rylander back then) winning primary races in 1998 over more conserative Republicans. But in the last two years Strayhorn and Perry have gone through a very bitter feud, which was focused on the 2003-04 budget, with Perry allying with the more conservative Republicans while Strayhorn called his budget irresponsable and accepted backing from Democratic legislators in her fight with the governor.

The House Democrats' subesquent run for the border over redistricting probably KOed any hopes Carole has in 2006 of challenging Perry for governor, but Hutchison doesn't have that baggage, though her pro-choice stance figures to be a problem with primary voters. Perry on the other hand, has a bit of an aloofness problem, and doesn't seem to connect as well with the public as Hutchison does.

It could make for a nasty primary, but as of now, even the winner of a bitter party fight would be the odds-on favorite in November, since the Democrats only viable statewide hope is probably John Sharp, who lost to Perry in the Lt. Governor's race in 1998 (it's so bad for them I fully expect someone to float a trial baloon before long of having Dan Rather fully retire from CBS to come home to Texas and throw his hat in the ring).

John Coupal: Not really. Strayhorn (or whatever her latest name is) has become a RINO who's done a great deal of harm to a sitting governor who made the tough choice not to raise taxes during recession to balance the budget (despite that advice from every newspaper in the state, and Dems, and too many members of his own party), and ought to be enjoying a political windfall instead of sniping from an inept controller (and from a Senator who's tired of DC).

John: Martin Frost may run and could be formidable. None of the other names mentioned as potential challengers (the inept Tony Sanchez again, Ron Kirk, Chris Bell, or Bill Whote) are all that scary. Like you, I think the GOP keeps this one, especially with Hutchison (she's more popular than anyone the Dems can throw at her).

Please, though, no Dewhurst for that Senate seat. No.

That Novak story seemed fishy to me. Strayhorn is "the brains" of the Republican Party of Texas?! If I didn't know any better, I'd think someone was trying to queer Hutchison's chances by lumping her together with Strayhorn.

Rick Perry may be aloof, but he knows how to fight. And Hutchison and Strayhorn have both given him ammunition to fight with.

Factionalism has always been a problem for Texas Republicans. Remember Tom Pauken.

BTW, how many husbands is it for Rylander-McClellan-Strayhorn now?