Happy DANCE on Craddick Bye Bye!!!!

[Melissa G]

HOUSE DEMOCRATS LAY OUT THEIR 64 NO VOTES ON CRADDICK

Combined with 12 publicly announced Republicans, enough to block

snip

The House Democratic Caucus said, "Today, the fact that there will be a new Speaker for the 81st Texas House of Representatives is established, there being at least 76 House members publicly committed to change."

"As Texans first, House Democrats have worked and continue to work to bring change to theTexas House of Representatives. Moving Texas forward for all Texans with policies that improve the lives of our constituents has been our overriding goal. Allowing each House Member to represent their constituents to the best of their ability, and allow ideas, bills and policy to be dictated by the merits is the best way to achieve that goal. We are eager to work with like-minded Republicans in a bipartisan manner."

They continue: "Attached are the signatures of 64 House Democrats who are publicly committed to this future. Their mutual trust, resolve, unity and commitment to one another is to be commended."

snip

Now, the real speaker's race begins as former Craddick pledges seek a new home. Other entrants in the race are likely to include the recently touted John Smithee (R-Amarillo) who may now be free of his pledge to the incumbent. Some are also calling for two-time Craddick challenger Brian McCall (R-Plano) to enter the race.

more at www.quorumreport.com

[cosmik debris]

1. I hope that dream comes true!

We were so close last time.

[Melissa G]

2. If the Dems stick together and the all the Pubs that he has aggravated

hold fast, we can do this wonderful deal! Down with the Craddictator! I hope we don't get a Craddick annointed successor.

[cosmik debris]

4. Kinda reminds me of the old saw

Be nice to the people you meet on the way up. Because you will meet them again on the way down!

Poor Tom should have learned that.

[sonias]

3. Craddick D's

AAS 12/29/08
Democrats release 64 Craddick opponents

It’s easier to report the 10 House Democrats who did not sign the pledge: Reps. Dawnna Dukes, Harold Dutton Jr. Al Edwards, Helen Giddings, Ryan Guillen, Ruth Jones McClendon, Tracy King, Aaron Pena, Sylvester Turner and Ismael "Kino" Flores.

There are no surprises among those 10. They have supported Craddick in the past although Dukes has said she is uncommitted for the 2009 speaker’s race and Turner is a candidate for speaker.

Dumber than rocks. These people actually think they'll get a place at the table, even with Republicans turning on Craddick. Heck http://www.statesman.com/search/content/region/legislature/stories/12/14/1214kino.html">Kino Flores might even be indicted by the time of the vote, but no he's sticking with the guy that "bought" him. :grr:


Sonia

[WolverineDG]

5. Kino split with the Leos?

:wow:

man, oh man, he'd better be careful...they know where his skeletons are buried....

dg

[sonias]

6. I predict Kino does not remain in office in 2009

Especially as the chair of the committee the oversees gambling.

Hey I'm gambling that he's going to get tossed!

:kick: Kino out!

Sonia

[sonias]

10. Kino gets a fine from TEC

AAS 12/30/08
Commission fines legislator for campaign reports

McALLEN — A South Texas legislator under investigation for his air travel and land holdings has been fined by the Texas Ethics Commission for improper accounting on campaign reports.

State Rep. Kino Flores, D-Palmview, said Monday he had already paid the $1,100 fine from campaign funds. The fine is unrelated to the investigation by Travis County prosecutors.

The commission released a finding Dec. 18 that said there was evidence to show Flores improperly registered reimbursement payments to staffers for things such as a parade float and "Christmas party music." The payments totaled more than $7,700 in campaign reports filed in 2006, 2007 and 2008, according to the commission report.

Watching Kino self destruct slowly.
:popcorn:

Sonia

[Stop Cornyn]

12. Kino is unquestionably the worst Democrat in Texas.

[sonias]

13. Sí, definitivamente!

Kino es como Blago (Chicago). Not a good thing.

Sonia

[NoPasaran]

7. The Anticrads have laid their cards on the table

And it looks like they have the numbers to depose the Craddicktator. O Happy Day! January 13 is going to be a very interesting day.

[Melissa G]

8. Yep! 15 R's jumping ship and more to come!

:toast: to Craddicktator being toast!

Edit for Quorumreport.com update

GATTIS ANNOUNCES THREE ON HIS TEAM

Brings public Republican erosion to fifteen

Speaker candidate Dan Gattis today announced support from three of his colleagues, Lois Kolkorst (R-Brenham), "Tuffy" Hamilton (R-Mauriceville), and Patricia Harless (R-Spring).

Gattis laughed, "I am going to be criticized for only having three, but that's three more than anyone else has announced."

Just as importantly, Gattis' announcement brings the total number of the Republicans supporting someone other than Tom Craddick to fifteen. With the sixty-four Democrats on the list released this morning, 79 House members have signalled they are seeking another speaker.

[NoPasaran]

11. I'm optimistic

But I really won't believe the Craddicktator is done until they actually pound a stake through his heart.

[Melissa G]

14. Oh, Glee!!! They are pounding! Down to only 50 to 53 supporters!

as they run away in droves...
from Politex Star Telegram via quorumreport.com

December 30, 2008
Craddick to weigh next move at strategy session this Sunday

House Speaker Tom Craddick, faced with growing opposition in his bid for re-election to his leadership post, is calling supporters to Austin this weekend for a critical strategy session. One leading ally said the besieged House leader is expected to discuss whether he should stay in the race or withdraw.


snip

Chisum said Craddick clearly has more support than any of his supporters but may be short of the needed 76 votes to win.
“I’m guessing in the numbers of 50 to 53, but that’s not enough to get there,’’ Chisum said. Craddick’s camp says the speaker has more than the needed majority but has not released a list of supporters.

snip
One possibility, Chisum said, would be a “Plan B” option in which Craddick would withdraw and endorse another candidate.

“If he thinks he’s got the votes, he’s going to move forward,” said Chisum. But, he said, “He’s as realist. If he can’t win, I’m confident he won’t take us down that road. If we’re going to win this, we’ve got to be sure we can.”

King, chairman of the Regulated Industries Committee, said Craddick has “told me on more than one occasion that if it ever got to the point that he didn’t think he could win he would be the first to withdraw and release his pledges.” But he said the speaker seems confident about his chances and predicted that he will win re-election.

[Melissa G]

15. Uh Oh... Craddick trying to rise from the dead....

From Quorum Report...
Chisum said, "Last night, I was misquoted on the Fort Worth Star-Telegram website as saying that Speaker Craddick had 53 votes. That number is a misinterpretation of what I said, and certainly not what I intended to say. The speaker carries all the Republicans except for the ABCs, and his position remains very strong."

Presumably, the scheduled Sunday Craddick strategy meeting reported in the story is still on. That is when the Speaker is expected to lay out his strategy to overcome what appears to be a shortage of votes.

[NoPasaran]

16. Well, the Anticrads have actually produced their lists

Craddick and his capos haven't shown theirs. If he stays in after Sunday, it will only be because they actually can see a strategy to continue the Craddicktatorship. I wouldn't put anything past him.

Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE THIS GAME!

[Melissa G]

17. I Love the 'Deposing the Dictator' game, too.

Last time I had this much fun was Delay going down. I wish we had a chance to do this with the Chimperor but they seem to just wanna let his term expire.

More from quorumreport daily buzz just 'cuz it is so much fun to track...

HK: EXPECTATIONS GAMES IN SPEAKERS RACES ARE UNREAL

But for a last minute decision by Mike Krusee two years ago, Pitts would probably have been speaker

snip
Two years ago, Jim Pitts and Brian McCall called a press conference in the midst of their heated challenge to Speaker Tom Craddick. Their intention was simply to have McCall endorse Pitts and publicly encourage his supporters to join him in the effort.

Although neither of the principals ever said it was their intention to lay out pledge cards, one of their over-excited lieutenants privately speculated to some press they would do so. The lieutenant’s hope made it into print creating a broad expectation that was simply not based in fact.

The appropriations room was packed with press, cameras, staff and lobby. When the two principals followed their original plan by discussing the Pitts candidacy but not laying out their pledges, the punditocracy declared the speakers race over.

Of course the predicate was wrong as was the conclusion.

The speaker’s race churned all the way to opening day. Those on the House floor on opening day saw Craddick supporters kill a couple of hours by chubbing on the back mike. (For the uninitiated, chubbing is asking endless questions on the back mike to kill time.)

snip
The rest of the story you have to subscribe to, so perhaps someone with a subscription will tell it for us.
mg

[tbyg52]

9. Woo Hoooooooooo! nt

[sonias]

18. Anti-Craddick GOP group picks speaker candidate

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/stories/01/03/0103speaker.html">AAS 1/3/09
Anti-Craddick GOP group picks speaker candidate
11-member faction selects Joe Straus of San Antonio to oppose Midland Republican for leadership post.

The largest faction of GOP opponents to Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick on Friday selected Rep. Joe Straus as their consensus candidate.

The choice was so unexpected that the San Antonio lawmaker, who's starting only his third term this month, faxed his paperwork to become a candidate during the meeting of the 11, known as ABC (Anybody But Craddick) Republicans.

Straus, 49, is one of the newest members of the group, having abandoned Craddick, a Midland Republican, only weeks ago. But Straus brings a GOP pedigree that will be hard to question — a favorite Craddick tactic since a large bloc of Democrats are likely to support Straus.

"I promise them a fresh start in a House that is happy to come to work to," Straus said of his pitch to the 150 members.

Well he's the choice of the ABC Republicans. Don't know how the Dems see him.

Sonia

[Baby Snooks]

19. Hopefully they will see him as the new speaker...

He is a moderate. He is pro-choice. He has been honored by the Sierra Club. He has already had war declared on him by the 39% who support Governor 39%. That in itself is every reason to call your state legislator, Democrat or Republican, and ask them to support Straus.

If that 39% is worried, we have a viable challenger to Craddick.

[sonias]

20. I agree that the speaker will be a republican

And that the Democrats are key to that. So I hope that the 64 Ds find some common ground with the 11 ABC Rs and then we are talking a new speaker. Otherwise Craddick might pull it off thanks to our nitwit Craddick Ds. It's going to be close, but I'm hopeful. If their side really reaches out across the isle things can get better.

Sonia

[Melissa G]

21. Straus says he has more than 76 votes

Houston Chronicle has podcast

Exclusive podcast: Rep. Joe Straus says he has the votes to oust Craddick

State Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, told Texas Politics reporters Gary Scharrer, Lisa Sandberg and R.G. Ratcliffe today that he has the votes to oust three-term House Speaker Tom Craddick.

"I feel good about our numbers, sure," Straus said.

"The right combination is somebody who's willing to pull all the parties and factions together and say, 'Look, I haven't, you know, what's being portrayed as a weakness in my background, I think is a strength. I haven't had all those battle scars. I haven't been involved in all those conflicts in other speaker's races. I don't have scores to settle. That's not what I'm about."
snip
http://blogs.chron.com/texaspolitics/

[sonias]

22. It appears he does

AAS 1/3/09
Straus claims he has votes to unseat Craddick
(snip)
Several Democrats streaming out of a gathering at the Texas AFL-CIO headquarters endorsed Straus, but it was unclear how many total votes he had after the meeting broke up. Rep. Jim Dunnam, the Waco Democrat who leads the House Democratic caucus, told reporters some Democrats wanted to meet with Straus in person before deciding and said he expected "more definitive news in the near future."

Another House Democratic leader, Rep. Garnet Coleman of Houston, called Straus an "acceptable alternative" to Craddick, the longest serving Republican in state elective office.

"I'm going to support (Straus)," Coleman said. "I have to pick between Republicans who can do the job and . . . Craddick is a detriment to my constituents."

This is getting better and better.

:bounce:

Sonia

[NoPasaran]

23. Craddick & Co meeting at the Speakerbunker today

Here's hoping they count the pledge cards and come up short.

[Melissa G]

24. Amen to that! n/t

[sonias]

25. You think the Craddick Ds might get a clue?

Nah doubt it, they will be there with hats in hand -for their handout.

You can say this about them - when someone buys them - they stay bought real good. :sarcasm:


Sonia

[NoPasaran]

31. Not as many Craddick Ds as there were a couple of years ago

I remember by the end of the session Rose and several others had broken with the Autocraddick. Even Dukes was quoted after the caucus met yesterday that she thought Straus was "cute". Doesn't Dawanna love her trips to Vegas?

And remember, if Craddick is seen to be going down to defeat, there is absolutely nothing to be gained by any Democrat by sticking with him.

[Melissa G]

32. Craddicktator crew rally behind John Smithee

January 4, 2009 5:52 PM
CRADDICK PLEDGES LIKELY TO RALLY AROUND SMITHEE

Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com

[sonias]

26. The enemy of my enemy is my friend

AAS 12/04/09

Straus catches Capitol watchers by surprise
Cultural conservatives raise criticism of Straus' positions on abortion and gambling.
(snip)

"Joe Straus is very much a Republican in name only," said Cathie Adams with Texas Eagle Forum. "He will be beholden to Democrats."

Cultural war and wedge issue republicans be damned! He must be a somewhat reasonable person if the Texas Eagle forum hates him. :rofl:



Sonia

[Melissa G]

28. Straus lays out position on Abortion

More from Quorum report re Straus...
snip

In the face of withering criticism from pro-life activist groups, Republican speaker candidate Joe Straus shared a note he sent to his colleagues last night.

He wrote, "This will clarify my position on the important life issue:

"As you know I believe in the sanctity of life. I am consistent with existing restrictions on abortion including parental notification/parental consent. I believe exceptions should exist for rape, incest and harm to the life of the Mother. That said, I fervently hope abortion is the rarest medical procedure conducted in 2009 and beyond.

"In terms of the work before us in the Texas House, I will look to elected House Members for thoughtful policy guidance on this important subject."

Meanwhile, Speaker candidate QRRep. Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) has withdrawn her speaker candidacy and is contacting her supporters endorsing Straus.

Thompson told QR, "I am going to support this guy. I looked at the other candidates but he is the best. I think it might be the beginning of something different."


snip

[cosmik debris]

27. Is this a secret ballot?

I seem to recall that, but I've been wrong before.

[sonias]

30. No not yet

If it was a secret ballot Craddick would have lost a long time ago. But because he can still inflict pain and damage on the supporters he bought and paid for they still cower before him - just in case he pulls it off. The members vote on whether to elect on a secret ballot on the day of the election - Jan 13th.

http://www.statesman.com/search/content/region/legislature/stories/12/07/1207speaker.html">AAS 12/07/08
3 in Texas House speaker's race call for parliamentarian Keel to resign
(snip)
Meanwhile, the maneuvering over a secret ballot is reminiscent of the 2007 speaker's election. Craddick's forces opposed a secret ballot, while his opponents said it was necessary to avoid retaliation. After the opponents lost that vote, Craddick's opponent, Rep. Jim Pitts , R-Waxahatchie , withdrew his candidacy.

On Saturday, Michael Truncale , chairman of the resolutions committee for the State Republican Executive Committee, defended the resolution favoring a public vote on speaker.

He said it simply reflected the party's platform supporting open and transparent government and was not meant to be an endorsement. Mark McCaig, a committee member who's called for Craddick to step down, noted that the party's platform also calls for term limits for legislators but no one suggested that Craddick should step down as speaker after three terms.

Oh snap! by McCaig!

When Strauss wins I want those Craddick Ds to go to the end of the line. They get nothing. No chairmanships, no reward of any kind.

Sonia

[Melissa G]

29. Strauss says he's got it!

Houston Chronicle via quorum report.com

AUSTIN — Republican lawmaker Joe Straus said he collected enough pledges from House colleagues Saturday to knock out incumbent House Speaker Tom Craddick.
snip
Straus, who emerged as the consensus candidate of 11 maverick Texas House Republicans on Friday night, planned to formally announce his victory today, when he hopes to have close to 90 pledges.
snip
Straus, of San Antonio, is touting his reputation as a consensus-builder and good listener to repair a badly fractured state House. Craddick, R-Midland, wants a fourth term, but his style as an iron-fisted ruler has come under withering criticism — even from some of his former lieutenants, who are now supporting Straus.

"For Joe to already have this sewed up speaks volumes for his ability to get things done," said Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio. "It also shows the kind of hunger and desire there is for change at the Capitol."

Most of the chamber's 74 Democrats are expected to support Straus, who now is working on pulling more Republicans to his candidacy.


snip


[e-mail]

[Melissa G]

33. Straus is naming names any minute now...

5:15pm
STRAUS TO RELEASE 80-PLUS NAMES WITHIN THE HOUR

per Quorum Report

[sonias]

34. Craddick is out for the count - he's gone down

Postcards from the Lege blog 1/4/09
Miller: Craddick out as speaker

By Laylan Copelin and Jason Embry | Sunday, January 4, 2009, 06:22 PM

Rep. Sid Miller, R-Stephenville, confirmed that Speaker Tom Craddick is dropping his bid for a fourth term as House leader.

“He’s pulled out,” Miller said of the Midland Republican.

Miller and other Craddick loyalists are meeting tonight to see if they can block San Antonio Republican Joe Straus who claims he has the votes to be the next speaker.

Ding dong the Craddick's gone, the Craddick's gone. Ding dong the very bad Craddick is gone!

:bounce::bounce::bounce:

:fistbump:

Sonia

[art3]

37. the list-

offthekuff
January 04, 2009
The Straus list
Rep. Joe Straus has released a list of 85 supporters - 15 Republicans and 70 Democrats - which would seem to put Team Craddick in a pretty tight spot. You can see the list here (Word doc) sorted by name, or at the end of that KXAN story, broken out by party. I'm going to reproduce it here with some comments:



Democrats:

Alma Allen
Roberto Alonzo
Carol Alvarado
Rafael Anchia
Valinda Bolton
Lon Burnam
Joaquin Castro
Norma Chavez
Ellen Cohen
Garnet Coleman
Yvonne Davis
Joe Deshotel
Dawnna Dukes
Jim Dunnam
Craig Eiland
Kirk England
Joe Farias
David Farabee
Jessica Farrar
Kino Flores
Stephen Frost
Pete Gallego
Helen Giddings
Veronica Gonzalez
Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles
Roland Gutierrez
Joe Heflin
Ana Hernandez
Abel Herrero
Scott Hochberg
Terri Hodge
Mark Homer
Chuck Hopson
Donna Howard
Carol Kent
Tracy King
David Leibowitz
Eddie Lucio
Diana Maldonado
Barbara Mallory Caraway
Marisa Marquez
Armando Martinez
Trey Martinez Fischer
Ruth Jones McClendon
Jim McReynolds
Jose Menendez
Robert Miklos
Joe Moody
Elliott Naishtat
Rene Oliveira
Dora Olivo
Solomon Ortiz
Aaron Pena
Joe Pickett
Paula Pierson
Chente Quintanilla
Richard Raymond
Tara Rios Ybarra
Allan Ritter
Eddie Rodriguez
Patrick Rose
Mark Strama
Kristi Thibaut
Senfronia Thompson
Chris Turner
Allen Vaught
Marc Veasey
Mike Villarreal
Hubert Vo
Armando Walle



Members listed in bold were not on the List of 64 from last week. The four remaining holdouts are Reps. Harold Dutton, Al Edwards, Sylvester Turner (all of Houston) and Ryan Guillen (from South Texas). For the rest:


Republicans

Dan Branch
Byron Cook
Rob Eissler
Gary Elkins
Charlie Geren
Delwin Jones
Jim Keffer
Edmund Kuempel
Brian McCall
Tommy Merritt
Doug Miller
Jim Pitts
Burt Solomons
Todd Smith
Joe Straus



The four bolded members here are from outside the Gang of Eleven. In total, that's ten new supporters for Straus since he emerged as the consensus candidate on Friday night. Note that Dan Gattis and his three acolytes are missing as well - according to the Statesman, they're headed to Rep. John Smithee's camp. According to Brandi Grissom, it's officially Smithee versus Straus. Can Smithee peel away some of those 85 names? He'll need at least ten. Once again, game on.

Posted by Charles Kuffner

[sonias]

38. Kino Flores against Craddick! Wow.

I guess a non-speaker elect Craddick isn't going to save his ass from indictment.

:wow:

And Aaron Pena tags along too.

Harold Dutton, Al Edwards, Sylvester Turner and Ryan Guillen - :wtf: kind of stupid are they?


Sonia

[art3]

39. Turner Backs Straus

turner just backed straus. this is so over.

Straus Lead Mounts, Adds Three More Supporters
State Rep Joe Straus needs only 76 votes to be speaker, but now he has 88 committed supporters. He adds the following within the last hour:

Speaker Pro-Tem Sylvester Turner
Representative Ryan Guillen
Representative-Elect Angie Chen Button


Posted by Elise Hu at 9:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
http://www.beloblog.com/KVUE_Blogs/politicaljunkie/2009/01/straus-lead-mounts-adds-three.html

[crispini]

45. Hahaah, and our opponent of course has held fast

to her pledge to support Craddick. Much good may it do her. Hahahahahahhahaha.

[sonias]

35. Na na na na, hey hey, goodbye

KXAN 36
Craddick out as Speaker
Craddick drops out. Pledges go to Smithee

Last Edited: Sunday, 04 Jan 2009, 6:57 PM CST

AUSTIN - UPDATE: 6:43 p.m.--Rep. Aycock tells KXAN.com that Craddick will not seek re-election as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. Aycock said Craddick will appear at the 7 p.m. meeting at Sullivan's in Austin to thank his supporters and endorse new leadership in the House.

Straus released his name of supporters. Eighty-five pledged votes put him as the most assured next Speaker of the Texas House. Austin's own Rep. Dawnna Dukes is on the list. Dukes, a Democrat, received much criticism for her support of Craddick and had not publicly supported any Craddick.

Craddick's pledges are reported to be rallying around Smithee creating an "urban vs. rural" race between the two Republican candidates.

Ha even the Dukester bought a clue! :woohoo:


Sonia

[Baby Snooks]

36. The Houston Chronicle is reporting it...

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6193824.html

[Lithos]

40. Up to 88 now

http://www.burntorangereport.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=7730

Time is running out for Tom Craddick and John Smithee. Joe Straus has added three more to his list.

As KT reported earlier, Straus announced a list of 85 pledged votes. With the addition of the below mentioned Representatives, Straus is sitting on 88 or nearly 60% of the entire Texas House.

* Speaker Pro-Tem Sylvester Turner
* Representative Ryan Guillen
* Representative-Elect Angie Chen Button

[sonias]

41. Pile on!

Damn that would almost make a complete Democratic pile on except for Dutton. What is he waiting for?

Sonia

[Melissa G]

47. A little tiny clue, perhaps...n/t

[Melissa G]

50. Pile On, indeed! Now up to 98!

STRAUS ADDS 6 MORE INCLUDING FORMER SMITHEE PLEDGE

Now has 98 votes

State Rep. Rob Orr withdrew his support from speaker candidate John Smithee today and joined forces with Joe Straus.

In addition, the following members have now signed on with Straus:

Joe Driver

Wayne Smith

John Davis

Harvey Hildebran

Al Edwards.

[blogslut]

42. I could live with Smithee

In the end, as long as Craddick is out, I'm good.

[sonias]

43. Hopefully this means Keel will be out on his ass too

Craddick hired him and if Terry Keel doesn't voluntarily resign, the new speaker should insist on cleaning the parliamentarian's position too. Fresh start and all that you know.

Postcards from the Lege/AAS 1/05/09
Straus claiming more Republicans

By Laylan Copelin | Monday, January 5, 2009, 08:54 AM

The list of Speaker candidate Joe Straus’ supporters is growing, according to the Straus camp.

Overnight it went from 88 to 92 and, more important, the four additional members are Republicans.

Sonia

[Melissa G]

44. Yipee!!! Pile it on! The Craddictator is Gone!

:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:
:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:
:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:

[crispini]

46. Thank GAWD.

Here's looking to a new day in the Lege. :toast:

[NoPasaran]

48. Amen to that!

Fuck Terry Keel and the fuck the hair he rode in on!

[sonias]

49. The hair that he rode on!

:rofl::rofl::rofl:


Sonia

[sonias]

51. Straus even keeled in claiming 94 House supporters

Damn I thought it was a report about road keel! :evilgrin:

Postcards from the Lege blog AAS 1/05/09
Straus even keeled in claiming 94 House supporters

By W. Gardner Selby | Monday, January 5, 2009, 12:36 PM

Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, looked comfortable and sounded even keeled in telling a three-quarter circle of reporters, lobbyists and onlookers watching him in the Capitol rotunda that he now has 94 of the House’s 150 members committed to electing him speaker when the 2009 session starts Jan. 13.

Though he didn’t list the 94, he had listed 92 members as of earlier today. That’s 16 members more than he’d need to win the speakership—presuming Rep. John Smithee, R-Amarillo, doesn’t peel off a passel. This race appears to be over.

Members piled in around Straus during his remarks. They included Austin Rep. Mark Strama and Dripping Springs Rep. Patrick Rose, both Democrats, and Republican Reps. Byron Cook of Corsicana, Jim Pitts of Waxahachie and Jim Keffer of Eastland, among others.

Hey there was some piling going on too. :)

Sonia

[Melissa G]

52. see post 50 He's up to 98! n/t

[Melissa G]

53. Todd Hunter makes 99! Smithee runs away from attacks on Straus

From Daily Buzz quorumreport.com

January 5, 2009 4:37 PM
RETURNING LAWMAKER TODD HUNTER ADDS NAME TO STRAUS SUPPORTERS

Although we have not confirmed with Straus team, spokesman says Hunter is on the team--brings total to 99
snip

January 5, 2009 4:29 PM
SMITHEE DISASSOCIATES HIMSELF FROM ATTACKS ON STRAUS

"...The grassroots are going to do what the grassroots are going to do," says King

The one House member standing in the way of state Rep. Joe Straus' bid to become speaker next week says that he won't be a party to any negative personal attacks against the frontrunner even though some socially conservative organizations have been aggressively questioning the San Antonio lawmaker's Republication credentials.

"I told Joe this morning that will not hear one negative comment from me toward him," state Rep. John Smithee, R-Amarillo, said in an interview. "Obviously, I can't control everyone. But I intend to keep it civil. I don't want this to degenerate into personal attacks."

Smithee, a 24-year House veteran, made his remarks just about an hour after Straus told a gathering of reporters and onlookers in the Capitol Rotunda that he has already secured the backing of 94 of the 150 House members. That would mean that he would be a shoo-in to win the speakership when lawmakers return to session Jan. 13, as long as he holds his votes.

snip

[NoPasaran]

54. Th---th---that's all folks! Smithee & Gattis are out!

State Reps. John Smithee and Dan Gattis issued a statement withdrawing their candidacies for House speaker:

“It has become apparent in the last 12 hours that Rep. Straus carries enough votes to become the next speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, and that any efforts to challenge him is not in the best interest of the Texas House. As a result, we are both withdrawing our candidacies for speaker. Our priority is to take the focus off speaker politics and concentrate on how we can best serve the people of Texas in the 81st Legislature.”

Smithee, R-Amarillo, said shortly after 6 p.m. that he’d just called Straus to tell him: “It’s over, it’s done.”

“There were no deals or anything,” Smithee said. “I just jokingly told him, ‘You know, you need to take a lot of retribution. Just make sure it’s all directed at me.’ That’s where we are.”
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2009/01/05/smithee_gattis_out_of_speakers.html

Cue the fat lady!
:woohoo:
:toast:
:party:

[Melissa G]

55. Whoopee!!! The operatic aria is cued!!!

:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:
:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:
:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:
:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:
:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:
:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:
:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:
:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:
:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:
:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:
:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:
May Keel be kicked to the curb and taken out with the trash,as well!

[sonias]

56. Here is a short song on cue -16 seconds

From the YouTubes
Betty Boop - Fat Lady Sings

Well that's about the right length too.

:fistbump::party::toast:


Sonia

[Melissa G]

57. Excellent!!!!

That seals the deal! :party: :fistbump:
The Craddictator and his once hopeful successor minions are toast!:toast:

[art3]

58. straus to be 1st jewish speaker

historic note-straus will be the 1st jewish speaker fo the tx house.

[Melissa G]

59. le'chayim! I'll drink to that!

skol:toast:

[sonias]

60. Wow I hadn't even thought of that

Well congratulations to Straus on breaking that barrier as well.

:toast:

Sonia

[redqueen]

61. Hallefrickinlujah.

[sonias]

62. Craddick to move underground - no not here

Postcards from the Lege/01/06/09
Craddick, Straus to switch offices

By Laylan Copelin | Tuesday, January 6, 2009, 12:47 PM

Speaker Tom Craddick and his presumed successor, Rep. Joe Straus, will switch offices.

Craddick will use Straus’ office on the lower level of the Capitol Extension despite his 40 years of tenure in the House. Straus, who’s only been in the House since 2005, has one of the more modest offices in the Capitol underground.

No, it’s not a case of retribution. Apparently it’s standard-operating procedure when a speaker is deposed after state workers have completed the office shuffle that occurs before each legislative session.

Oh let it be so! :evilgrin:

Sonia

[Melissa G]

63. TOO SWEET!!!!

And after such an exorbitant remodeling to go to such modest quarters! :evilgrin: