The ministers may think this is a religious, biblical issue but for Perry, while it may be that too, it's also a powerful political tool.

For most voters, schools are the No. 1 issue,

I think of 2002 as the last gasp of the old order. The first gasp of the new order might well be 2010.

It makes you wonder, when they have so many problems, why they would let this fester the way they have.

It's hard for the White House to regain momentum if the Congress is in disarray. It ties up the Republicans in Congress and limits their ability to execute any White House agenda.

is going to plague him not only in his second term but in history — even in Texas.