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I have met each candidate and attended two of the debates. I think McCaul wins on substance. He has the best experience, having served three presidents in the Department of Justice as a career prosecuting attorney. He got so frustrated by the shenanigans of Janet Reno that he quit DOJ because she refused to appoint an independent prosecutor for the Chinagate scandal. He served as John Cornyn’s Deputy AG over 12 divisions of lawyers.

McCaul would be insulated from special interests because he has family money. Michael McCaul cannot be bought. Michael’s wife, Linda, is an A & M grad in oceanography. After graduation, she worked in Naval Intelligence tracking Russian submarines. She is a sharp woman and if Michael weren’t running for Congress, I’d vote for her, even though I’m a UT grad.

I agonized over my decision. The candidates are real close in terms of their politics. This district (Congressional District 10) is very conservative and no Democrat even dared to run. What it boiled down to for me is the character issue. Michael is a man of integrity.

I support McCaul because he will not be a guppy in the shark tank we call Washington D. C. He will make an impact in Congress. He is a man of substance, of gravitas. I told Michael he is overqualified for Congress. He should be a U. S. Senator. He is polished without being slick, intelligent without being condescending, wealthy without being patronizing. He is the real deal, a man you like when you meet him. He is humble. He is gracious. He has devoted his career to public service.

Consider who is endorsing the man.

U.S. Senator John Cornyn
Senator Cornyn was sworn into the U.S. Senate in December 2002, after serving as Texas Attorney General for four years. While in Texas, Cornyn and McCaul worked together to create two new programs: Texas Exile, a gun violence reduction initiative that involves the cooperation of the U.S. Attorneys and District Attorneys across the state, and the Texas Internet Bureau, formed to combat cyber crime, child pornography, and online fraud statewide.

United Republicans of Harris County
United Republicans is a Political Action Committee that represents the economic conservative Republicans in Harris County. The members are concerned about the effectiveness of a Republican Party which has become too exclusive. The goals of the group are to create a broad-based Party grounded on traditional conservative principles, to support candidates who are pro-business, are well qualified, can win elections and will help our Party grow, to increase Republican voter turnout in all elections and to motivate mainstream Republicans to play a greater role in their Party.

Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas
CLEAT works to protect the rights of Texas peace officers. The association has sought better pay and benefits for officers, either through the legislature or by collective bargaining. It also works to help officers provide for their families by offering benefit plans and programs that help officers protect their families and stretch their hard earned dollars.

Young Conservatives of Texas
Young Conservatives of Texas is an independent, non-partisan youth organization dedicated to the preservation of individual liberties and freedoms through limited government. YCT is an organization that enables college students the opportunity to participate in the political process. “For more than two decades, the YCT endorsements have served as a seal of approval for true conservatives seeking public office. We are honored to lend our support to a distinguished group of conservative leaders who will promote real conservative values in Washington,” YCT State Chairman David Rushing said.

Texas Farm Bureau Friends of Agricultural Fund
AGFUND is Texas Farm Bureau’s Political Action Fund. It is a legal entity separate from the Texas Farm Bureau and may endorse and contribute financially to political candidates. AGFUND is funded only by voluntary contributions from TFB members. Each of the eight candidates for District 10 had 10 minutes with members of the Farm Bureau to discuss their platform and their background. McCaul won the endorsement from the group by a 16-4 margin.

Justice for All
Justice for All is a Houston-based advocacy group that works for change in the criminal justice system. As Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice in Texas, McCaul headed up the Crime Victims Services Division of General Cornyn’s office and worked closely with victim’s advocacy groups such as Justice for All.

Joe Pojman, Executive Director of Texas Alliance for Life
The Texas Alliance for Life is a statewide non-profit, nonpartisan, pro-life organization. The group is committed to protecting the fundamental right to life of all innocent human beings and to promoting respect for their value and dignity from the moment of conception until natural death. The alliance focuses its work in three areas: education, public policy and alternatives to abortion, infanticide and euthanasia.

Isaac Albarado, Chairman of the Texas Federation of College Republicans
The Texas Federation of College Republicans work to achieve a better understanding of the government process, to increase student awareness of contemporary issues, to promote student involvement in the community, local, and national government, to teach the rights and privileges inherent in a representative democracy to the youth as voters, to encourage leadership and responsibility among college students in the Republican Party, and to further the election of Republican candidates.

Austin Police Association
The Austin Police Association is a labor organization that represents more than 1,300 police officers employed by the Austin Police Department.

Finally, Michael has an “A” rating from the NRA.

I support McCaul because he will not be a guppy in the shark tank we call Washington D. C. He will make an impact in Congress. He is a man of substance, of gravitas. I told Michael he is overqualified for Congress. He should be a U. S. Senator. He is polished without being slick, intelligent without being condescending, wealthy without being patronizing. He is the real deal, a man you like when you meet him. He is humble. He is gracious. He has devoted his career to public service.

I agree. I have had lengthy private conversations with McCaul and Streusand, several extended semi-private conversations with Devine and Phillips, and a candidate forum last night with all 8 candidates. It is clear to me that McCaul is the best candidate.

While Streusand has spent more money on FairTax advertising, McCaul (with Calabrese on staff) has the best understanding of it's potential impact. Add McCaul's experience in the Justice Department and working on Homeland Security and the personal qualities you mentioned above and McCaul is clearly the choice candidate.

Best quotes at the candidate forum last night:

Teresa Doggett Taylor: "Everyone is happy when they have all the money they need."
John Kelley: "I don't have an answer for that."