In a wholly unexpected and incredibly bizarre turn of events, Republican lieutenant governor candidate Dan Patrick offered an endorsement of gay marriage so enthusiastic that he suggested doing away with heterosexual unions in the process.

Patrick, heretofore the most conservative candidate in the race -- a man who vociferously denies once showing kindness to an illegal immigrant -- expressed his support in a tweet delivered in the moments after a federal judge ruled that Texas same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional.

Now that's the kind of bold leadership we need in Austin.