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.