Prediction:  Dewhurst wins in a run-off.  Resigns as Lt. Governor a week after that.  Senate, which has 30 days from the time of resignation to elect a new Lt. Governor from within its ranks, replaces him with John Carona.  

No one is talking about it.  Dan Patrick and John Carona have gone to the mattresses over whether or not Carona said nasty things about Patrick (and Carona did - mostly in his response to Patrick).  There’s a fight going on that this little sparring match is just a symptom of.  

Question:  What does Rick Perry actually get from endorsing David Dewhurst?  If Dewhurst wins, Perry is likely stuck with an even less favorable Lt Governor going into a bad year for school finance, the budget, and more.  Unless Perry thinks Dewhurst is actually more likely to lose - and has him by the shorthairs to support the budget compact.  But seriously.  What does Rick Perry get out of this?

Ron Paul still has a shot at the nomination.

Ted Cruz wins without a runoff.

Matt Beebe takes more than 20% against Joe Straus.

The speaker isn’t pushing Tuffy over James White.

Tuffy will beat James White.

People care about the Democratic race for the Senate outside of the Burnt Orange Report crew.