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Texans say McClellan's turn started at home with mom

By Jon Ward (Contact) | Friday, May 30, 2008

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Scott McClellan's critics in Washington have speculated about his motives for writing a book bashing President Bush, but back in the former White House spokesman's home state of Texas, some chalk it up to something very simple: his gene pool.

Bush defenders and impartial observers point in particular to Mr. McClellan's mother, Carole Keeton Strayhorn, as having set a precedent for turning on former allies, while others say that his family tree had strong liberal leanings.

They also said his decision will make it hard to do what all Texans do: return home.

"Scott's going to be something of a man without a country if he comes back," said Paul Burka, senior executive editor at Texas Monthly magazine.

"I don't think the Republicans would be much enamored with him," Mr. Burka said. "I just don't see him having much of an immediate future in politics."

The thrice-married Mrs. Strayhorn has switched from Democrat to Republican to independent during her more than 30 years in politics, which culminated with two terms as Texas comptroller and an unsuccessful run for governor in 2006.

During her second term as comptroller, Mrs. Strayhorn frequently attacked members of her own Republican party, including Gov. Rick Perry and leaders in the legislature.

Many regarded these moves as a tactic to increase her own name recognition and lay the groundwork for her 2006 gubernatorial run.

Ray Sullivan, a political consultant in Austin who was Mr. McClellan's predecessor as deputy spokesman in the Bush governor's office during the late 1990s, said he is troubled by doubts about Mr. McClellan's motives for writing his book.

"If you know Scott, you like to think that his motivation is honest and straightforward, but it's easy to envision a very crass motivation," Mr. Sullivan said.