By W. Gardner Selby, as printed in the Austin American Statesman

Baby equals election ink, but McCaul not biting

Before one of their local congressional colleagues brought along his family — including a recently born granddaughter — as he placed his name on the March 4 primary ballot, Republican U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul and Lamar Smith filed their own plans to seek re-election — without toting babies.

Did McCaul, a father of five, see a bring-along-the-babies lesson at play? Nope, McCaul said through a spokesman, never mind that he's at least 10 to 15 years away from having grandchildren. Besides, McCaul's kids were in school on Dec. 17, the day he filed his candidacy before returning to Washington.

If he wins another term next year, McCaul just might try a filing-day gambit in 2010, according to his spokesman, Jack Hirschfield.

"If there is a cat to be taken or a parakeet to cooperate, that's always a possibility," Hirschfield said.

Forecast: If McCaul brings a bird, he sure as heck won't be kissing it.