Smithee’s prospects
The frustrating thing about John Smithee is that he has chosen all his career to perform at 60% of his ability. He has never wanted to get out front, or draw upon all the respect he has earned over the years. 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 and Craddick stays viable. Otherwise, why would they go for a rural guy at the backside of his career than an urban guy 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. Something about “cold dead fingers” comes to mind. Smithee would have to get every Republican except the ABCs–that’s probably around 60 at the moment–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.
Tagged: Joe Straus, john smithee, speaker’s race.
anon says:
Solomons needs to reconsider. It is still his should he want it.
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David Siegel says:
I asked this on the 1/4 12:29 AM thread, but that died before anyone answered”
On tax/spending issues, which are bound to be the major focus of the session, is there any difference among Strauss, Solomons, Smithee or Craddick?
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Anonymous says:
No one answered the qustion about Solomons including Paul who is seems to be fixing dinner.
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Anonymous says:
Smithee was one of the only R’s to argue and vote against Craddick’s tax bill on the House floor. QR has some good entries outlining major issues Smithee had with the bill including exemptions for special interests, the effects certain provisions would have on small business, as well as constitutional issues.
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Anonymous says:
Paul, you are underestimating Smithee and overestimating other members, including Straus.
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Floozikins says:
Is the ethics commission open today?
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Anonymous says:
test
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anon says:
Seems like I remember members filing at odd hours previously when the Ethics Commission was closed.
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anon says:
Filing is a state of mind.
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Butter Woman says:
Good insight on Karen Brooks’s blog:
http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/
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Floozikins says:
“Texas passed landmark tort reform that dramatically revitalized our health care system and ended a crisis of frivolous lawsuits for such things as mold.”
Would you care to elaborate on this point, Rep. Hartnett? Our health care system is a complete disgrace as we have the highest population of uninsured. Tort reform hasn’t done jack shit for our health care system as far as bring in more docs. We have a shortage of docs in some areas (El Paso, rural areas) because their reimbursement rates are lower to due lack utilization. To get higher rates, they have to spend more, which is hard to do if they don’t get reimbursed at higher rates (duh). Consequently, no one wants to practices in those areas. Tort reform is just another example of “conservative” Republicans trying socialize the markets–let’s see, you won’t let lawyers get rich..okay, God knows, you won’t let doctors get rich..hedge fund managers are now a thing of the past..who is allowed to be rich other than the insurance companies?
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Im just saying Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Anyone who thinks tort reform has worked is either a member of the insurance industry or a legislator backed by the insurance industry.
Tort reform was a complete disaster for citizens of Texas. A very small number of these citizens will need the help of legal counsel. And these are the ones who find out the hard way about tort reform.
I speak from experience.
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Im just saying Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Oh…p.s. In 2002 they took mold out of insurance policies, but they did not reduce our rates. So the mold argument doesn’t hold water.
Ask former State Representative Joe Nixon who got over $300,000 for his mold claim.
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dickbird Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
We needed tort reform. Now we need to rein in the insurance companies. Maybe Weekley can fund the start-up of TIR.
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Observer Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
Oddly enough when Moldy Joe was run out of the House, he could find a firm to hire him. Craddick helped him find a job. I can’t imagine why a firm wouldn’t want to hire Nixon. What a toad.
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Sidd Finch says:
Pena’s thumbs working overtime today.
“Straus to release list tonight.” says AP.
Can we at least acknowledge that much of today’s interesting news information has been broken using a medium that none of us had heard of two years ago?
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Ziggy says:
AAS, DMN, and QR all reporting Straus will release his list within the hour.
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anonymous says:
Word from the meeting is that Craddick has stepped down. It’s now Smithee v Straus. Straus has to hold his votes for ten days…Game on!
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The Inquisitors are in need of an Enema! says:
DING DONG! DING DONG! What an interesting 3 sessions. Without Craddick, would the Republicans be close to total collapse of their first majority? Probably not, thank you Tom, don’t let the door hit you in the …. and see if you can take Phil with you. He is likely not to profit without you.
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Anon Reply:
January 4th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Take Phil and Will.
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anonymous says:
And the bells rang out in Whoville!
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Hillcountry says:
With his extremely close ties to the Insurance Industry coupled with the fact that TDI is under Sunset Review, Smithee is a God–send.
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Nachtwarheight says:
Hil, does that mean that God is not on the side of Straus? If Smithee were a “God-send”, i wish he would have sent him earlier. Maybe if Smithee or Craddick had behaved differently at any time over the last 24 months, our Republican party wouldn’t be in the mess it is in now.
Regardless of the outcome, i’m glad there were 11 Republican members who were willing to lance this boil.
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