Texas House Speaker Refuses to Cede Post

[villager]

Source: ABC/AP

by APRIL CASTRO Associated Press Writer
AUSTIN, Texas May 26, 2007 (AP)

Hours after lawmakers who tried to overtake the speaker's podium seeking to oust him were physically restrained, House Speaker Tom Craddick charged through a rowdy floor session Saturday without ceding his coveted post.

The House parliamentarian resigned on the verge of tears earlier as Craddick beat back a rebellion from opponents seeking a vote on his leadership. Democrats and Republicans alike complain that Craddick has ruled with an iron fist. They say his win-at-all-cost style often forces them to vote against the interests of their own districts.

Throughout the day Saturday, several Craddick opponents hovered around the chamber's back microphone to take turns sniping at his rulings. But Speaker Pro Tem Sylvester Turner, a Houston Democrat, refused to recognize lawmakers who sought to make a motion to unseat Craddick.

Craddick's third two-year term does not expire until the next legislative session convenes in January 2009, but discontent in the chamber is fueling a plot to force him out before the session ends Monday. In the last week, four Republicans, including Rep. Fred Hill, have filed their candidacies to be speaker if Craddick is ousted.

Capping a week of simmering discord, Hill made a request Friday night that would allow the 150-member chamber to vote to oust Craddick. Craddick, often called the most powerful man in state government, refused to recognize Hill to make the motion, then hustled back to his office suite amid a cacophony of boos.

<snip>

Read more: http://www.abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3216681

---

GOP in action, yet again...

[Norquist Nemesis]

1. What's up with Turner (D)?

:shrug:

[NV Whino]

2. Wow

Craddick sounds like presidential material to me.

[villager]

3. by GOP standards, you bet...

n/t

[Toots]

9. Next Supreme Court Justice maybe

Or maybe gonzo's job...

[Kolesar]

4. Molly Ivins used to write about fights in the Texas legislature

They were common in the 1970s, IIRC.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

6. She also used to say it was, "the best free entertainment in Austin."

Having attended a couple of good ones myself I have to agree with her.

[Peace Patriot]

5. Sounds like some Democrats have finally read "The Art of War"!

Not to mention the Republicans who are, at last, showing some spine against their own Bushista nazis.

Whatever our despairing thoughts about Washington DC and the "military-industrial complex" death grip on both parties, it has probably been true all along, and will continue to be true, that the fight to restore American democracy is a local/state fight, in many venues, across the land. A healthy democracy at the state,local and grass roots levels WILL produce a peaceful revolution at the top, eventually. I have also thought all along that this is a long term struggle that we are in, and we have to think past the "next election" and, on some matters, outside party loyalty to the bigger issues that underpin our common sense of lawfulness and fairness. For instance, Diebld/ES&S vote "counting" is obviously favoring war and corporate rule on a bipartisan basis. The corporate rulers don't much care if a candidate has D or an R by their name, as long as the war goes on and corporate rule continues. Diebold/ES&S vote "counting"--vote "counting" that occurs under a veil of corporate secrecy, in "black box" voting machines and central tabulators run on "trade secret," proprietary code, owned and controlled by rightwing Bushite corporations) is something else that I believe can only be solved at the state/local level, where ordinary people have more potential influence. (Congress is not going to solve it. The Democratic Congress' limp-wristed "reforms" might even make it worse!) Transparent vote "counting" is one of those common ground issues that good Democrats, Republicans and others, at the state/local level, need to unite over, for the good of ALL AMERICANS.

So I greatly welcome signs of life--such as this--at the state level. We got some hint of the Texas rebellion when the Democratic legislators fled over the border, a couple of years ago, to avoid formation of a quorum, in a Tom Delay-controlled Texas legislature. (The issue was unlawful re-districting.) That was heartening! Now this! The citizens of Texas, along with most other Americans, are obviously fed up, and support strong action to seize the levers of power back on behalf of the people.

[Kagemusha]

7. Seems like if Craddick doesn't recognize the speaker, nothing can be done

The motion to vacate simply can't be tabled, and any attempt to force it to be tabled is a violation of law and the sergeants at arms (multiple??) can legally manhandle anyone who tries to do so.

And they're screwed.

[Judi Lynn]

8. Craddick future could hinge on GOP primaries

May 29, 2007, 5:46PM
Craddick future could hinge on GOP primaries


By APRIL CASTRO Associated Press Writer
© 2007 The Associated Press

AUSTIN — By the looks of things, Republican Speaker Tom Craddick plans to stay in charge of the Texas House for a long time.

And after triumphing over an acrid weekend attempt to overthrow him, he'll be in power at least until lawmakers return to Austin for a legislative session — and none is scheduled until January 2009.

Craddick has said he intends to run again then, but whether the 150-member chamber will vote him back for a fourth term will largely be determined next spring, by the results of legislative primary elections around the state.

A consummate fundraiser, Craddick and his supporters are expected to wage fierce and well-funded campaigns against those insurgent lawmakers who tried to boot him out of office during the final days of the legislative session that ended Monday.

More:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/4845293.html