Top Texans can’t resist ranting about gay marriage
SMU Political Science Professor Cal Jillson talks about the politics of same-sex marriage and the effect on political rhetoric in Texas.
By Bud Kennedy
Mighty as it is, Texas is not mighty enough to turn back the clock.
Every marriage soon might be performed and recognized nationwide under a federal ruling, a stroke for liberty and an average $15,000 boost for the economy.
State leaders, sworn to uphold current laws, must choose between begrudging acceptance or kicking and screaming.
One of Texas’ wisest political science experts predicts the latter.
Whatever courts rule on an Austin same-sex marriage last week, or whatever the Supreme Court rules in June on the 14th Amendment equal right to marry, Republicans “should rail against it for one powerful reason,” professor Cal Jillson of Southern Methodist University wrote by email.
Gov. Greg Abbott and House Speaker Joe Straus, more business leaders than preachers, can’t let faith-and-values conservatives such as Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton seem more outspoken, Jillson wrote.
The Republican runoff last year showed that “diehard conservatives are a 2-to-1 majority,” Jillson wrote.
“I think Abbott knows that Patrick will challenge him the moment he thinks he can get by him on the right.”
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