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April 2009
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Recently in 2009 Speaker Race CategoryFormer House Speaker Tom Craddick is back to being a regular representative, and he has a lot of time to talk. In all, he sat down for nine freewheeling one-on-one interviews with members of the media today. Craddick took his time with us, too. No time limits, no rules, and even a short chat about the new taqueria, El Chilto, on Congress Ave. Me: You know where Quizno's is? He also asked us - after the interview - about the rules fight that's still going on... I walked up too late. Good thing other people were there. Here's Stiles' entry and the recording. ...Speaker-to-be Joe Straus had interesting things to say about various issues in an interview with us and San Antonio sister station KENS-5 this afternoon. But I thought we'd warm him up with some getting-to-know-you stuff first... which I caught on my tiny pocket camera. (Sitting there and making eye contact and shooting video wound up being tricky, the video's pretty shaky so please bear with the What he said about the issues will be coming up in our newscasts on Monday, and I'll transcribe that for the blog too, for those of you who like to read. But first, Straus on the m... Don't be too quick to call State Rep Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, a "presumptive speaker" or "speaker designate". His spokesperson and other aides want to make clear he's just "State Rep Straus" until an official speaker election next week.
Of course, there are... Rep Smithee just confirmed both he and remaining speaker candidate state Rep Dan Gattis, R-Georgetown, will withdraw their bids. "Ive decided with the consent and pretty much the consensus of the Republicans with me to drop the challenge," said Smithee, outside his office after meeting with his remaining supporters. "To my knowledge there are no more challenges to Representative Straus." What changed from last night? Just caught state Reps Phil King, Wayne Christian, Jodie Laubenberg, Bill Zedler and Will Hartnett walking into state Rep. John Smithee's office. "I'll let him talk to you when this is over," said King. "He just called some of his supporters to meet with him to talk about what's next." Smithee filed to run for speaker just last night, but after Straus emerged over the weekend with way more than the 76 pledged supporters needed to win the speakership, Smithee is weighing whether to stay in the race. More to come. ...An already big deal seemed even bigger when likely-speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, chose the State Capitol rotunda for his first press conference since the withdrawal of Speaker Tom Craddick from the race. The first floor of the rotunda, where Straus and other members would take questions, filled with capitol staffers, press, lobbyists and other lurkers. Those who didn't want to crane for a good view filled the balconies overlooking the rotunda to catch the action. Crazy day in Texas history. Check out a short slideshow below. The man who could be speaker will hold a presser at the State Capitol at 11:30am, where he will be flanked by supporters including state Representatives Dan Branch, Joaquin Castro, Byron Cook, Brian McCall and Senfronia Thompson. (Note that Castro and Thompson are Democrats and minorities, so this will be a show of bipartisan, multi-background support united behind Straus.) ...Attempts to talk with Speaker Craddick tonight were as futile as his bid for a fourth-term. His press secretary released the following statement just after 10pm. Enjoy it while it lasts, cause it's only eight words long. (Austin) - Alexis DeLee, spokeswoman for Speaker Tom Craddick, released the following statement: "Tonight, Tom Craddick released his pledges for speaker." ...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 |
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Elise Hu is KVUE's Political Reporter and your dedicated blogger. There's too much politics in Texas to fit into a newscast, so the fun continues here. Email your ideas and feedback to ehu@kvue.com.
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