An analysis in the Fort Worth Star Telegram suggests the U.S. Senate race in Texas between Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and for Solicitor General Ted Cruz is like the race for the president in miniature.
The idea is Dewhurst equals Mitt Romney and Cruz equals the not Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich or Rick Santorum. But the differences might have less to do with politics that with political status. Dewhurst is part of the hated establishment. Cruz is the tea party style insurgent.
What does Dewhurst believe?
According to the Dewhurst for Senate campaign website, the candidate's agenda is solidly conservative. He is in favor of repealing health care reform, also known as Obamacare, in favor of a free market based health care reform. He advocates curbing the Environmental Protection Agency. He supports developing American domestic oil resources. And he is in favor of cutting spending and taxes, according to his issues page
What does Cruz Advocate?
Cruz frames the case for his candidacy in his record of supporting issues that conservative believe in. He is in favor of smaller government, against abortion, for domestic energy production, for gun owners' rights, against same sex marriage, against illegal immigration, and against frivolous lawsuits.
What is the bottom line?
While each candidate emphasizes different issues, they seem to be equally conservative, at least in how they are running for the Senate.
What about Dewhurst's record?
Dewhurst, as a statewide office holder, does not carry Romney's burden of having once been pro-abortion or of having supported a health care reform measure with a disturbing resemblance to Obamacare, or so his lieutenant governor's website suggests. According to My San Antonio, some conservatives blame Dewhurst for the failure of a bill that would have made TSA "enhance pat downs" at airports a felony in the state of Texas. Such a bill, had it been passed into law, would have set up a constitutional wrangle between the federal government's right to handle airport security and Texas' right to keep innocent people from being physically molested while traveling.
What is the Senate race all about then?
Basically it comes down to a fight between experience vs. independence. Dewhurst will point to his ability to get things done in a legislative body, not an unimportant thing for a potential senator. Cruz will emphasize is independence and his unwillingness to compromise conservative principles. Which quality Texas voters hold to be more important will determine who gets the Republican nomination and hence likely wins the election. Thus far Dewhurst has the upper hand with 36 percent support in the polls, with Cruz following at 18 percent. But 31 percent of Texas Republicans are undecided, so anything could happen.
Texas resident Mark Whittington writes about state issues for the Yahoo! Contributor Network.
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