Yet another Speaker candidate

Carrolton Republican Rep. Burt Solomons gets in the Speaker sweepstakes.

"I did file this morning. I believe it's time for a change," he said. "We are in a position now, as Republicans and for the entire body, to have a different governing style. ... I've been a past supporter of Tommy (Craddick), I like him, but I think it's a whole different management style. I've had a number of members calling me about problems they forsee. We (the GOP) have been trying to govenrm the House and we're at a crucial turning point, and I think it's time to let another Republican - since we have a slim majority - have a shot at how we're going to govern."

"We have different management styles," he said. "We have different perspectives on the body, and in my opinion I believe the body wants to have more meaningful input into the issues of the day, how we're going to govern, into our rules, into everything. I believe it's time to try to ensure that happens. And that's really what this is about. It's really putting the entire body in a position to feel good about being public servants, address the issues of the day and make sure that everybody has equal input. Everybody."

Mr. Solomons' entrance into the speaker's race makes 10 candidates, five of them Republicans.

I'm not sure that having more Speaker candidates makes Tom Craddick's demise any moer likely at this point. I'd feel much better if the news were about more members throwing their support behind one of the challengers. I don't suppose it hurts to have more out front opposition, or a broader field of opponents. It's just that "the field" can't be elected Speaker, and whoever doesn't get the brass ring may find they're better off begging for forgiveness and a return to Craddick's embrace. I hope that won't happen, but I won't count on it till the list of wannabees starts to get winnowed down. BOR, who declares that the anti-Craddicks now form a majority in the House, and The Texas Cloverleaf have more.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on November 19, 2008 to That's our Lege