With the primary election now in the rear-view mirror, Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas is amusing himself with a short song, "You Can't Be a Liberal Man," that pokes at his Democratic general election opponent, U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke.

And even makes fun of his nickname.

Liberal. That's the new tagline for Texas Republicans seeking to dis their opponents, whether it's Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick blasting the "Liberal Texas Association of Business" for opposing his conservative agenda or Gov. Greg Abbott working to defeat "liberal" incumbent Republican state Reps. Sarah Davis of Houston and Lyle Larson of Antonio.

Both won.

With several runoffs coming up May 22 to decide the remaining contests, including the Democratic nomination for governor, the heated political rhetoric promises to continue for two more months as an entertaining work-up to the November balloting.

Then there's this: In talking about the need for gun-control, and why Texans have such steadfast support for the Second Amendment, O'Rourke recently told a story about a woman in Brownwood who was "born with a gun in her hand" and who has 46 grandkids.

My, my. Now that's something.

Our sponsor this week: The Texas Association of Counties.

With Scott Braddock, editor of the Quorum Report, and Mike Ward, Austin Bureau chief for the Houston Chronicle, with special guest Ryan Poppe, Texas Public Radio's Capitol reporter.

Texas politics are entertaining but never boring, as this edition of the state's leading political podcast, produced in collaboration with partner Texas Public Radio, clearly shows.