Straus vs. Smithee?
Here’s where I think the speaker’s race is headed. I should credit a commenter to my previous post with a similar analysis. If Straus gets to 80+ by Sunday afternoon and lays out the names, he’s going to be the next speaker. If he hasn’t proved up his 76 votes by the time of the Craddick meeting, the question becomes whether Craddick gets enough support to stay in the race. If he stays in, Straus will be speaker. If he gets out, the speaker’s race will be between Smithee and Straus. The case for Straus winning is that he has most of the Democrats. The case for Smithee winning is that members know he is the more experienced hand and can step into the role more comfortably. Either way, viva la revolucion.
Tagged: Joe Straus, john smithee, speaker’s race, tom craddick.
Sam says:
If Straus is in and Charlie Geren gets a high-ranking post, it’s going to be more like Viva la Intoxicacion, but then again, I was never so good with the language skills.
Smithee is acceptable to the Ds and has the experience. He’s low-key, but that doesn’t mean he’s ineffective.
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Pat says:
Ok, so Craddick is out in this one, which I shall call Scenario 896,565,237,652,340.
Q: What happens to Craddick’s money? Do the Craddick R’s wage war the way the ABCD’s did in 2007?
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effigy2009 says:
Smithee may be the only legislator (if Craddick can not hold his supporters together) to forge a centrist coalition (40 Republicans-40 Democrats) to support him as House Speaker. Smithee has a long and distinguished record as a fiscal and social conservative, yet he is trusted by almost all House Democrats. He is the “thinking man’s” Republican. I won’t bother to list all of the major state legislation he has authored or co-sponsored in his career, needless to say it is considerable. His legislative credentials will appeal to legislators of all stripes.
Over the years (since at least 1993 as House Insurance Committee chairman), current House Democrats Senfronia Thompson, Pete Gallego, Lon Burnam, Harold Dutton, Craig Eiland, Armando Martinez, Rene Oliveira, Dora Olivia, Marc Veasey, and Hubert Vo have all served on the House Insurance Committee with Smithee; certainly good group House Democrats to start building a centrist coalition from.
He is also, in many ways the conscience of the House; remember the 2007 debate on “Jessica’s Law.” He has a deep appreciation and respect of the Texas House of Representatives as an institution and other legislators know it. Regarding Smithee being a “rural legislator,” the population center of his district is Amarillo, TX. Amarillo, TX may not be considered a major urban area, but it the 15th largest city in Texas and certainly not just rural.
Smithee is board certified in civil trial and appellate law; he has practiced before the U.S Supreme Court, Texas Supreme Court, the 5th Federal Circuit Court of Appeals and various Texas state district and appellate courts. He has been named by your magazine, as one of the Texas Monthly’s “Super Lawyers” last few years. Very few legislators can match Smithee’s legal and legislative experience.
Let’s see what happens after Craddick meets with his supporters on Sunday, how the “Wobbly R’s” break next week, how really unified the House Democrat Caucus is and if the ABC’s can stay together.
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paulburka Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
To effigy:
Smithee has chosen to perform at 60% of his ability. He has never wanted to get out front. One “Dear Colleague” letter from him in the past seven weeks could have ended Craddick’s speakership. He wouldn’t do it. His decision to wait from Friday until Monday was typical. He doesn’t yearn for power. His reticence doesn’t stem from fear. It’s just his personality. The two day delay from Friday makes it hard for him to pull it together. It may be too late now, depending upon whether Straus has gained some new recruits, and how many. The pool of uncommitted members is shrinking, particularly on the Democratic side. The only reason for D’s to switch to Smithee is if Straus can’t close the deal. Otherwise, why would they go for a guy at the backside of his career than one on the way up? On the R side, the only way for Smithee to get traction is for Craddick to give up and pass the torch to Smithee. Something about “cold dead fingers” comes to mind. He’ll have to get every Republican except the ABCs–that’s probably in the low 60s–plus the Craddick D’s, some of whom may have already found safe shelter. I’m certainly not going to say that Straus is a lock until I have more information, but Smithee has a narrow window and it’s closing.
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Buck says:
Right now, the D’s see a good chance to give the religious R’s a big poke on the eye with Straus.
They are not likely to go easy and switch to Smithee.
Now, it’s all about payback. The more Cathie Adams and David Barton complain, the more entrenched the D’s will become behind Straus.
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Anonymous says:
Paul is as usual getting spun badly by the ABC’s (ie, his only sources in the Capitol).
The long and short is that 65 republicans are not going to let the dems pick the next speaker. Especially not a rookie liberal republican with extremely close ties to the gambling interests that tried to knock many of them off mere months ago.
Craddick wins.
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Tellnitlikeitis Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Oh, my God.
So you are saying GOPers want more of the same? More turmoil? More chaos? More, “I have absolute power?”…more sniping between members and their parliamentarian?
Good lord.
This is not an 88-62 chamber anymore. It’s 76-74 – and 19 voters in Irving, Texas voters short of 75-75.
Do Texans want more fighting in the Texas House?
Or do they want members who will work for the common good?
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anonymouse1 says:
about smithee …
graph the important bills on health insurance passed by smithee’s house insurance committee since he became chairman in 1993.
then graph the spikes in texas health insurance costs since the same point.
it ain’t pretty. if the general public or the media ever catch on, i wouldn’t want to be a member who voted to put him the speaker’s chair.
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Jetson Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 11:06 am
You don’t know what you are talking about. Smithee is not an insurance industry guy. Ask the D’s who served with him on the committee and the consumer groups who work with him or the industry for that matter. Watch the floor debate on major issues and read his comments. Why do you think Craddick made him chair and then stacked the committee with Republicans friendly to insurance companies?
Graphing insurance costs (if you are even correct to begin with) doesn’t lay on the shoulders of one person. There is the Senate after all as well as certain Governors who have vetoed legislation. There is also the natural rise and fall of insurance costs based on other things beyond the control of any elected official.
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anonymous says:
We have harrowing economic times ahead and we’re still talking about who should be Speaker one week before session? Mr. Craddick, PLEASE leave. Please leave so we can put an experienced AND respected member (John Smithee) at the helm to guide us through this storm. Otherwise we risk getting one of the most inexperienced legislators in Texas for speaker, the product of a coup. The Texas economy and state government are about to go through times too tough for a disrespected (Craddick) or inexperienced (Straus) speakership. Wake up legislators.
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anon Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 8:34 am
I agree that Smithee would be the best speaker. But do you think Nadine and Christy will grant Mr. Craddick their permission for him to step down?
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anon says:
Stateman is reporting that Rep. Y. Davis is on the fence….the story below from the December 12, 2008 article of Texas Observers adds some intersting fodder to her and other’s situation…
The Inside Track
A STATE LAWMAKER JOCKEYS FOR A RACING LICENSE
It’s not every day that the Texas Racing Commission does business with someone who exercises influence over the agency’s own purse.
Seeking personal help with a racetrack license, state Rep. Yvonne Davis, a Dallas Democrat, showed up at an October Racing Commission meeting. Adding to the magic of the moment, Davis was escorted by former state Rep. Ron Wilson—who served as Speaker Tom Craddick’s handpicked parliamentary assistant during last year’s mutiny against Craddick’s rule.
Davis is part of a group trying to buy the Longhorn Downs horse-racing franchise and build a track outside Dallas. To do it, they need the Racing Commission’s OK. This lawmaker jockeying for a track license also sits on the House Ways and Means Committee, which oversees state revenues upon which the Racing Commission feeds. Acknowledging that her dual roles had prompted “a lot of innuendos and conversations about who, what, why,” Rep. Davis told the commissioners that she had a letter from the Texas Ethics Commission “saying there’s no prohibition for me to be part of this application.” Rep. Davis’ foray into the highly regulated racing industry isn’t necessarily prudent, but neither is it illegal.
The reason for Wilson’s presence wasn’t precisely clear. But the delicacy of Davis’ group’s request for a horse-track license seemed to require Wilson’s parliamentary prowess—or perhaps someone with close ties to the speaker.
To buy a track license, Rep. Davis teamed up with David Alameel, a wealthy Dallas dentist who owns the Jefferson Dental Clinics chain. If the Racing Commission approves the deal, Rep. Davis would have a 5 percent stake in a track license now controlled by the Austin Jockey Club, Ltd. Alameel’s family would own the rest.
Investors from San Antonio’s Retama Park racetrack control Austin Jockey. Further complicating this license transfer, San Antonio Republican Rep. Joe Straus III and his father—who chairs Retama’s board—each own stakes in Austin Jockey, according to Racing Commission records. Lacking industry experience of their own, Alameel and Davis have proposed hiring Retama’s management to help run a track that they want to build outside Dallas.
Nonetheless, Rep. Straus criticized Davis’ appearance before the Racing Commission. “The issue of gaming and licensing from the government is a public-trust issue,” said Straus, a former Craddick ally who recently distanced himself from the current House leadership. “I would never appear before a government regulatory body as a sitting lawmaker to make a request such as that.”
Austin Jockey owns the 19-year-old license for the so-called Longhorn Downs track, which has never been built.. Efforts to put a track in Pflugerville flopped in 2005. After that, Austin Jockey ostensibly sold its track license to a company called Dallas City Limits, although regulators have yet to approve the transfer. The investors behind Dallas City Limits included the Alameel family. The company asked the City of Dallas for $20 million in subsidies to build a racetrack entertainment complex near the Dallas Convention Center. In 2006, city officials openly questioned if Dallas City Limits investors had enough money to take this project to the finish line. A similar pitch in nearby Irving has yet to fly.
In the end, the Dallas City Limits deal fell apart. Investors sued each other over competing claims to the track license. Alameel and Davis are still in district court feuding with three Dallas City Limits investors led by Houston trial lawyers Michael Gallagher and Russell Serafin. Serafin confirmed the litigation. Alameel, Rep. Davis and their attorneys did not return calls seeking comment.
During this mess, Alameel and Davis applied to the Racing Commission this July to transfer the Longhorn Downs license into their names. The Department of Public Safety is conducting a routine background check to determine if the applicants have enough cash to get a track running, as well as a clear claim to the license, which is clouded by the litigation.
The recent Alameel-Davis application proposes building a track south of Dallas—in the city of Lancaster. But hurdles remain. The proposed site is about 20 miles from the existing Lone Star Park track in Grand Prairie. With racetrack revenues falling statewide, why would the state approve a new track so close to an existing one?
Alameel and Davis apparently want to postpone these issues for another day. Nobody has initiated track discussions with the City of Lancaster, according to the office of Lancaster Mayor Marcus Knight. In October, Ron Wilson urged the Racing Commission to first approve the transfer of the Longhorn Downs license and later determine where the track would be located.
The Racing Commission will soon celebrate 20 years of spending state funds on a license that hasn’t yet left the gates and has spawned more litigation than race results. Maybe the track will eventually open—with an assist from some Austin power brokers. But don’t bet on it.
—Andrew Wheat
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anonymous Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Interesting article. Straus, Davis, Wilson. Looks like the slot machine boys are looking to own the Texas House, if they don’t already. Great for the children of Texas! So Straus actually said “The issue of gaming and licensing from the government is a public-trust issue” and that he “would never appear before a government regulatory body as a sitting lawmaker to make a request such as that?” I see. But he’ll run for speaker? Geez. How can this guy be trusted?
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anonymous Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 8:48 am
I heard that Yvonne Davis and her friends Senfronia Thompson and Terri Hodge are some of the small group of Dems holding out from supporting Straus. Wonder if that’s a not-so-subtle attempt to get Yvonne her interest in that gambling license that Straus seems to object to. This is really starting to smell. Think Greg Abbot, the Travis County DA, or the House Investigating Committee may want to get some sworn testimony from some folks on this?
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anonymous says:
anon 8:29 — In the future, can you shorten it up a bit, or just provide the link? Thx.
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hall monitor Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
What’s the problem? Too tough for you to scroll down?
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Avon Barksdale says:
What is forcing some Republicans to support a Speaker candidate who has only served one full session is the presence of Tom Craddick in the race. If he leaves (and up until this point I would have never believed that Nadine would allow him to leave) then it a whole new ballgame. I actually think TC stepping down has become real possibility. I know many will consider this laughable, but it isn’t.
Smithee would matchup well against Straus – I mean, does anyone believe in an open Speaker’s race the members would choose someone who has never chaired a committee or authored a major piece of legislation? (and, no, I don’t count ending the TIF as Straus did in his press conference).
We need Smithee to pushing a viable solution for wind insurance — something that should have happened last session. How often is it said that we actually NEED a member to carry a specific bill.
Making Straus Speaker is like giving the CEO job to the 1st year MBA. In the zealotry to end Craddick’s speakership, a majority of Democrats and a minority of Republicans have come to an odd selection — finding someone with so little baggage (or so few enemies) that he seems qualified, even as he’s never shown the ability to lead.
Many people have been throwing about the “Ratliff” analogy in support of Straus. But, one can’t reasonable argue that Straus can hold a candle to Ratliff in policy matters. Ratliff may have had no stomach (or interest) in the political game, but anyone who re-wrote the education code on his laptop has the type of intellectual firepower I can respect. Smithee has that – Straus doesn’t (at least at this time).
But, as a learned by listening to the Houston Chronicle podcast (all painful 20 minutes of it) the most dangerous personal characteristic that Straus is showing is some wussified “come to work and have fun.” mantra. Is the Speaker is some sort of cruise director?
Last time I checked, lawmakers managed to have plenty of fun on their own. Is this really the priority “happy to come to work.” Really. . . really?
If Craddick stays in the race, Staus will win (and it may be over sooner than we all think). If he gets out, expect fireworks.
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Charles Finnellilili says:
Management style is more important than a legislative record in presiding over the House of 150 political personalities. Remember the days when the Speaker actually protected members from hard votes? A good COS can easily compensate for the young tenure of Rep. Straus.
Straus will need a former legislator COS (e.g., Gullahorn, Miller, etc.) who will know the nuances of the House and its workings as well as a cogent understanding of major public policy issues. How about Peggy Hameric? Stan Schlueter? Jack Stick?
Pete Laney? -;
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anonymous says:
Some Ds (and maybe even 2-3 ABCs) will bolt from Straus if Smithee gets in and Craddick gets out. The Ds and ABCs want above all to kill The King. Once The King is dead, mission accomplished. Emotional release. Now time to pick a real speaker, not some coup vehicle.
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pundit's point says:
Tom Craddick, you need to step down. Your heavy handed management style has caused so much dissension that the House is unable to focus on the business of Texas. Do the right thing for Texas.
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Charles Finnellilili says:
The R Caucus will make decisions about Smithee v. Straus. Straus has to do at least some of Dunnam’s bidding. Garnet Coleman – public health chair? Dunnum – Civil Practices? Speaker Pro Tem Gallego?
HAC Chair – Chisum (Smithee) or Pitts (Straus)?
Calendars – Swinford (Smithee) or McCall (Straus)?
State Affairs, W&M, Education, Environmental Reg, etc. Those chairmanships look very, very different between Smithee and Straus administrations.
It’s pretty evident who the Straus D leadership is going to be. Who are the D chairs in a Smithee administration? Because it’s a divided house, there HAS to be D representation on HAC and in the chairs for Smithee to get to 76.
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anon Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Finnell….ahh…. brings back powerful memories…the hair…the comb in the back pocket….Anyway, Strauss D team has been pretty well thought out… Just visit Texas ethics Commission and follow the Texans for Economic Development $$$s:
Dunnam, Gallego, Coleman, Farrar $10k each in
2008
Abel Herrero, England $15k each in 2008
Vaught, Maldanado, Chris Turner $20k each in 2008
Joe Moody $50k, Bolton $10k, Farias $10k in 2008….and in the Craddick Ds free for all: Dukes $25k, Kino $36k, A. Pena $27.5k in 08…..
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anonymous Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 10:15 am
The Sicilian families Fertitta and Lamantia and the Straus family are clearly trying to buy the speakership, legalize slot machines for their licenses, and make off with a mint. That’s what this whole race seems to be about. Craddick could become a subplot next to this.
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Frisky Dingo Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 10:46 am
Fertitta and Lamantia are not Sicilian names. FYI.
Will Hartnett Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
The Sicilian La Mantia family in Chicago were famous gangsters. http://www.myalcaponemuseum.com/id122.htm
The Sicilian New York Fertitta family likewise were famous mobsters. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertitta
I’m not implying in any way, however, that any Texas families have any connection with those people – just correcting the post above!!
anonymous Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Frisky Dingo – Fertitta and Lamantia are both Sicilian-American families. Fertitta came from the Maceo family, reknowned gambling mobsters in Galveston in the early 1900s and Sicilian immigrants. And they’ve both been in the food, alcohol, and gambling line of work.
anonymous says:
It’s a 50-50 house. D chairs are a certainty, whether it’s Straus or Smithee. I highly doubt a Smithee speakership means Chisum chairing Approps AND Swinford chairing Calendars. In fact, I bet it includes NEITHER. Smithee will have to give those positions to non-Panhandlers. I think under Smithee, rural Ds, Dallas and Houston Ds, and younger, more talented Ds (Anchia, Rose, V. Gonzalez, Strama, Lucio, maybe some frosh) will benefit the most.
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Ativa says:
Paul, I think your urgent call for “laying out the names” is not the best course of action for Straus at this time. Protecting his pledges and giving him time to gather extra Republican pledges is a more prudent approach. Say maybe by Monday evening or even Tuesday. Everyone will know from the his personal conversations with the Republican members on Sunday and Monday that he will have, as you say, “around 80″ (maybe even a couple over 80) by late or early evening Sunday. Unlike Solomons, Straus will need a few more hours or an extra day to talk through his positions with a few of the Republican legislators. Meanwhile, he has stated in definite terms that he is a George 41 and 43 pro-life Republican. Caring about women’s health is no different from Gov. Perry’s stand when he was trying to protect women from cervical cancer (although Perry went about it with the Legislature like an idiot…something I think Straus would have thought through first). The women legislators on both sides of the aisle, conservative, moderate, and liberal) should be applauding Straus and waiting in line to sign pledges. Here is a Republican in the House that will at least listen and take advice from them on women’s health issues. From what I understand from a couple of Republican legislators on the verge of pledging to Straus, the concern over “inexperience” is important to them but not THE deciding factor because it IS Joe Straus versus some other member. To them, Solomons had the legislative experience and the reputation of being able to make decisions quickly and negotiate. But they also know Straus to be extremely intelligent and more than competent in a “style” which will help him “manage” the more experienced legislators. Who really doesn’t believe Straus can negotiate? Would he even be a speaker candidate if he couldn’t? And, from what I can ascertain at this point, he has a Solomons (and others legislators) in his corner ready to help him negotiate with Perry’s office and the senate. Side-note, Solomons probably can’t wait to tangle with Dewhurst again on behalf of the House (as he did for the House Sunset bill on Workers Comp), but he can talk on a personal level with the senators. He has known most of them personally for years. Craddick did it all himself for his own gain. Straus wants to include others in the process. If Solomons (and some of the other legislators) are helping him, the House will be not just fine, but a better place for ALL the members and for Texas.
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Anonymous says:
Why are people thinking that a Smithee as Speaker would be any different than Craddick – really. Craddick will still “run” the house – just behind the scenes. Smithee will still do what Craddick wants him to do – just in a milder, meeker way.
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Jetson Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 11:00 am
You have no idea what you are talking about plain and simple. Smithee has never been a Craddick pawn. Do some research.
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Burka's Folly says:
Once again, Paul sets up a ridiculous arbitrary deadline “If Straus gets to 80+ by Sunday afternoon and lays out the names, he’s going to be the next speaker.”
We have to assume that Burka means laying out the names TODAY. And that is nonsense.
But of course that makes really no sense, especially if as previously posted, 40 members stay away from Craddick’s meeting.
If Straus has 60-65 Democratic pledges and 12-13 GOP Pledges, he is working feverishly to pad his lead and try to get the Republican pledges up to 30 or so – to provide a more bipartisan appearance to his victory and to give himself some padding for any that might fall off the wagon.
Straus has a number of one on ones (as do the other ABC’s) with uncommitted Republicans today to get them on board. Some need selling, others just reassuring before they sign on the dotted line.
John Smithee is a prudent and reasonable man who really doesn’t want to be Speaker. He will talk with Straus before he does anything – if Straus really is above 76, there’s no point in getting into a campaign for Speaker that is a loser from the start.
Any announcement from Straus will not come today, it will come Monday afternoon or Tuesday at the earliest.
And once Straus announces his victory, it really is over.
In November 1992, Pete Laney declared victory with roughly 86 pledges at 9:00 am; that rose to about 106 by 5:00 pm that same day. These things snowball very quickly.
So if Straus lays them out Monday or Tuesday, Smithee never joins in the dance.
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Distinguished Gentleman says:
Well, this just ties it all up in a pretty bow, doesn’t it? Not only is Straus a chronically-absent, minimal-seniority member but now, with lingering questions over his ties to the gaming industry and its potential impact upon colleagues who themselves wish now to join that same industry, it creates too many negatives for the ABC’s and the 64 D’s to handle.
They MUST switch to someone else other than Straus. If they persist in backing Straus, then Craddick slips back in for a fourth (and I would venture to say final) term as Speaker. And I am further convinced that in 2010, Democrats will re-take the Texas House of Representatives.
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Elsbeth says:
Many of these comments are too long. I suggest starting a blog and linking to it since Mr. Burka probably doesn’t plan to give any of you a job.
Have a very nice day.
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Frisky Dingo says:
The next move belongs to the Craddick camp. I read somewhere else that they’re going to meet somewhere in Austin today. Wait for that meeting to conclude, and the subsequent press conference. Here’s the possible outcomes:
1. Realizing a consistent, solid base of support, Craddick stays the course;
2. Recognizing turbulence in the air, the Craddick Camp, with the Speaker’s approval, select a successor. Craddick withraws his paperwork from the Ethics Commission Monday morning;
3. An alien spaceship blasts the building in which the Craddick Camp meets with a 12,500 megatron volt laser, vaporizing everyone. Senfronia wins.
I’d recommend keeping an eye on the news or other press release outlets this afternoon/evening. If the Craddick Camp pursues option 1, then we’ll likely hear of it later today. If option 2 is selected, then there will likely be a formal decision announced sometime tomorrow morning. Option 3 would be self evident.
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Floozikins Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Ruth Chris. I heard Sullivan’s, but I doubt it since Sunday is when all the kids show up to eat for cheap.
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Frisky Dingo says:
The next move belongs to the Craddick camp. I read somewhere else that they’re going to meet somewhere in Austin today. Wait for that meeting to conclude, and the subsequent press conference. Here’s the possible outcomes:
1. Realizing a consistent, solid base of support, Craddick stays the course;
2. Recognizing turbulence in the air, the Craddick Camp, with the Speaker’s approval, select a successor. Craddick withraws his paperwork from the Ethics Commission Monday morning;
3. An alien spaceship blasts the building in which the Craddick Camp meets with a 12,500 megatron volt laser, vaporizing everyone. Senfronia wins.
I’d recommend keeping an eye on the news or other press release outlets this afternoon/evening. If the Craddick Camp pursues option 1, then we’ll likely hear of it later today. If option 2 is selected, then there will likely be a formal decision announced sometime tomorrow morning. Option 3 would be self evident.
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Anon says:
I agree with Paul on this one. Straus needs to lay out his votes before Smithee gets in the race. Plain and simple. Sure, it would be nice to get more Rs on board to deflect the argument that he is a D speaker, but the reality is that Smithee getting in the race doesn’t help him get more votes. His best chance is to seal the deal now. He can prove his Republican credentials later.
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Charles Finnellilili says:
Smithee may be the Reluctant Speaker. Does he really want to spend the interim flying to 149 districts for fundraisers (which is what speakers did back when the House belonged to, well, the House)?
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Peaceful Warrior says:
Anon at 7:08 a.m. knows much about the House. 64 Dems will not decide who the next R Speaker is. Do the math according to Straus’s “ostensible” support:
64 D’s = 86% of D’s
12 R’s = 16% of R’s
That old dog wont hunt.
Welcome back Tom C.
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Anonymous says:
I think its great that moderates will pick Straus, have a successful session in 09, and the Democrats will have NOTHING to run on in 10 and without Obama coattails, you will see a net gain by the GOP.
Thanks Dunham.
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Normandy Invasion says:
Peaceful Warrior must be italian because he or she knows nothing about Speaker Wars.
Straus made it clear he’s expecting and additional “Double digit” number today. That means a minimum of 86 if he throws down his cards today.
And Straus now has now fewer than 14 Republicans I can now find.
So he may get his 90 by today.
The fat lady is starting on the first verse & chorus.
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Anonymous says:
Straus’ statement on abortion shows that he is pro-death. He supports the current regulation which means he is not in favor of overturning Roe v. Wade!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Floozikins says:
Pro-death? That’s a new one.
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Sidd Finch says:
Smithee files, per A Pena.
Someone else will have to tell us what that means.
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Anonymous says:
It means Aaron keeps a leadership voice in the House.
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Anonymous says:
If Sid Finch’s info is correct:
1. It signals Craddick is done.
2. It’s an unexpected play to preempt Straus from sealing the deal today. How else can the Craddick allies keep keep a Speaker’s race going since Straus could wrap this up if he lays out his 76?
3. It changes the timeline. Before this, Straus was working on a deadline of the Speaker’s Sunday dinner meeting.
Straus should name a time and place for a press conference later today/evening if he wants to gain control and stop a flight to Smithee’s camp.
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Floozikins says:
He plans to
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anonymous says:
floozikins — any more information on the press conference?
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Floozikins Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Yes. Linda Harper Brown gives up her seat to Romano. Debbie Riddle announces that during her latest trip to Israel that God told her to support Senfonia Thompson for speaker. Oh, and Chisum announces that Craddick has 53 votes. Stay tuned..
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Will Hartnett Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
And Straus announces this afternoon that he has enough votes to win, but does not release the names. (deja vu!)
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John Johnson says:
I do not live in Smithee’s district, yet he took the time to respond personlly to an email I directed toward a committee he serves on. He was the only one to do so, other than the Chairman. The fact he took the time to chat with me was appreciated … especailly since I have never gotten that sort of response from any other federal or state offical who represents me. Usually, it is the generic letter that is doled out by an assistant and doesn’t even address the issue. I can’t imagine him not being able to work well with all members of the House, except maybe the ones on the far right and left sides of the spectrum. These need to be ignored unless we want to continue to be mired in total gridlock.
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anonymous says:
If Smithee files, Smithee wins. He won’t do Craddick’s bidding, and never has. And he will steal a chunk of Straus’s pledges. And he’s beholden to ZERO special interest–not gambling, not tort reform, not trial lawyers, not insurance industry. And finally Craddick (and Craddicks) are OUT of the Capitol. Hooray! Go Smithee go!
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Tellnitlikeitis Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Bad assumption.
What makes you think that urban members will want yet another West Texan? Isn’t 3 out 4 enough?
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Red Zone says:
I hear Smithee cut short a Colorado vacation yesterday to get to Austin today, tell Craddick to beat it, file for speaker, and tell the House it doesn’t have to be bought by a special interest.
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effigy2009 says:
http://twitter.com/aaronpena/statuses/1095425142
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Anonymous says:
P. Warrior at 11:39 may know more than we realize. Speaker C. is very close to shoring this up. Could change. Doubt it. But suggest it will be a different TC and different House.
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Anonymous says:
My understanding is that Smithee has filed. Smithee is the best person to clean up the House (inlcluding Legislative Council and other agencies) and there is NO perception that he has any conflicts of interest — whether it’s personal or with other members. He has a proven track record of standing up to special interests and is the most trusted member in the Legislature. I understand the sense of urgency to oust Craddick, but I think members should really think about what and who is best for the body and Texas.
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Anonymous says:
I heard Craddick told some members he’s staying in all the way to the end, even if that means Straus beats him. That prompted Smithee to bail on his vacation and head to Austin to open a can of whupass on Craddick. Smithee is about read Craddick the riot act. Anyone know where to buy tickets for this? I’d love to see it!
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Eponymous says:
I realize that many of Craddick’s detractors have political reasons for opposing him, but even his supporters have to admit that he seems to be rapidly devolving into a rather pathetic figure. Memo to Craddick supporters: even if your guy manages to pull out a 76-74 win, don’t you think the House will be in a complete meltdown, making last session look like a picnic? What ghastly measures will be required for Speaker Craddick to pass a budget in 2009? Egad…
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anonymous says:
If Smithee has indeed filed, when he gets done tongue-lashing Craddick like only Smithee can, I bet he writes a thoughtful, compelling letter to the House members explaining his vision for the 2009 House.
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David Siegel says:
Just love these pseudonyms: Avon Barksdale (top drug dealer in West Baltimore in The Wire, the fabulous HBO series) and Sidd Finch (fictional baseball player, the subject of the notorious article and April Fools’ Day hoax “The Curious Case of Sidd Finch” written by George Plimpton and first published in the April 1, 1985 issue of Sports Illustrated).
P.S. On tax/spending issues, is there any difference among Strauss, Solomons, Smithee or Craddick?
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Sidd Finch Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
“When your mind is empty like a canyon you will know the power of the Way.”
but you probably already knew that.
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Valley of Elah says:
Hope Haggerty becomes Chief of Staff, Craddick can visit with him about committee requests. Guess daughter Christi finds out what life without health insurance is like.
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Morning Statesman says:
So much viciousness. Why attack someone’s children?
I have to agree with Peaceful Warrior, and whatever Rep. Hartnett says.
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Anonymous Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
why attack someone’s children? first, she’s not a child, and second she is certainly a whole lot more than a by-stander in the family. she has been pretty vicious herself with her job over at Stars, and a lot of can’t get past someone on her salary needing daddy to have special legislation passed to insure her. not only was it disgusting, but it gave more fodder to dems.
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Marye D says:
Who would think that there were so many mafioso intrests in Texas! Being from Dallas I find in extremely disgusting that my Representative, Yvonne Davis, is involved in such crooked backroom deals! When I cast my vote I expect my Rep to look out for me not herself!
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