It is not exactly a surprise that the latest feminist political icon, Texas state Senator Wendy Davis, turns out to be a phony and an exploiter.  Davis, you may recall, rocketed to progressive superstardom by conducting an ultimately futile filibuster on a bill tightening health regulations on abortions after 20 weeks of gestation when the life of the mother is not in peril. The fact that Davis is an attractive blond and speaks fairly well in public was enough to gladden the heart of the pro-abortion faction, eager to find a champion who can be packaged as an inspiring profile in courage. She has already raised $12 million for her campaign for governor, tapping into the victimology cult among wealthy feminist women.

Davis has presented a life story to voters that portrays her as inspiring up-from-the-bottom success story, the first member of her family ever to go to college, a young mother, and a brilliant academic success who made her way to Harvard Law School. But this narrative omits some rather unappealing facets of her life course. Wayne Slater of the Dallas Morning News presents some of the facts that he diplomatically says have been "blurred," and they are rather unsavory. Read the whole thing.

Davis has portrayed herself as a 19 year old single mother, following her divorce, but in fact, she was 21 years old at the time of the divorce. She testified under oath in a federal lawsuit to being 19, though, so perjury may be in play.  But okay, perjury aside, shading two years off and making herself a minor is not that significant, buut it is an indication that she plays fast and loose with the data in order to make her situation look more pathetic and desperate. Not a good sign, and not the most important lie. It is the lies by omission that are most important.

Single mother Wendy enrolled in a community college, and then won a scholarship to Texas Christian University, and married Jeff Davis, a man 13 years older than she and a successful lawyer. He paid her tuition at TCU, and then supported her at Harvard Law School, and raised their two daughters, who remained in Ft. Worth with him, while she immersed herself in the world of high powered elites in Cambridge.

Now here comes the really, really unsavory part:

Over time, the Davises' marriage was strained. In November 2003, Wendy Davis moved out.

Jeff Davis said that was right around the time the final payment on their Harvard Law School loan was due. "It was ironic," he said. "I made the last payment, and it was the next day she left."

Nice! Dump the kids on hubby, get him to pay for her education, and then dump him as soon as the last bill is paid. She's a user, and exploiter of men.

But it gets worse:

In his initial divorce filing, Jeff Davis said the marriage had failed, citing adultery on her part and conflicts that the couple could not overcome. The final court decree makes no mention of infidelity, granting the divorce solely "on the ground of insupportability."

Amber was 21 and in college. Dru was in ninth grade. Jeff Davis was awarded parental custody. Wendy Davis was ordered to pay $1,200 a month in child support.

Wendy is a piece of work. And those who know her well are on to that:

A former colleague and political supporter who worked closely with Davis when she was on the council said the body's work was very time-consuming.

"Wendy is tremendously ambitious," he said, speaking only on condition of anonymity in order to give what he called an honest assessment. "She's not going to let family or raising children or anything else get in her way."

On the downside, we have seen another feminist phony, Elizabeth Warren, get herself elected to the United States Senate, so we can't rule out Wendy as a rising force. But Texas ain't Massachusetts. My guess is that Wendy's campaign will crash and burn. But there will be ample time for us to have fun poking holes in her story.