Thursday, December 28, 2006

LIFE'S THE PITTS

Chris Bell lost to Chip Staniswalis, who left the Texas House to enter the Big House. So naturally, Bell ran for Governor.
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Now Jim Pitts, who lost his first House race to Keith Oakley, wants to be promoted to Speaker.
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Seems like some folks are either amazing optimists or just lack the horse-sense gene. Whatever the case, Billy Clyde thinks this Speaker stuff has gotten WAY out of hand. I'd never stand in the way of someone wanting to have a little fun. But people should have fun responsibly.
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(Soon-to-be-former) Appropriations Chairman Pitts threw his bandanna in the ring this afternoon. He told the assembled Capitol wags that neither Speaker Tom Craddick nor the previous insurgent flavor of the day, Representative Brian McCall, had the support to be elected Speaker. Despite Craddick serving up a partial list of his pledges totalling 84. And McCall saying he has even more than Craddick.
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Can't recall anyone ever saying they didn't like Jim Pitts. He just oozes friendliness. But enough is enough. Life's natural harmony is being disturbed by all these twists and turns. Am I the only one with a head rush?
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Billy Clyde, being a non-member of the Texas House, knows that his role should be limited to spectator status. But I can no longer sit idly by and watch this intrafamily bloodletting. So if no one else is willing to step forward, consider this my formal offer to end this national nightmare.
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First, everyone with a notion of seeking the Speakership should get together. Then I envision some lengthy conversations during which these members can hash things out amongst themselves. They all settle on a single candidate, and that person goes on to be elected by acclamation on January 9.
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We are Texans, not Sunni or Shia or Kurdish rebels. Let's act the part.
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UPDATE: A former higher ed lobbyist I ran into tonight at the Erwin Center (Horns Win Again!) suggested that all those interested in the post should agree to just take turns. Maybe two week intervals or something. The only hitch seems to be the living arrangements. McCall, Pitts and Senfronia Thompson are all single; Craddick is married. Plus, the apartment is pretty small. But I appreciate this sorta creative thinking.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

"We are Texans, not Sunni or Shia or Kurdish rebels. Let's act the part."

Yeah, good luck with that.

Mike Chapman said...

Aren't you the same guy who thought Nolan Ryan was going to be the Speaker of the U.S. House?

Anonymous said...

RE: "We are Texans, not Sunni or Shia or Kurdish rebels. Let's act the part."

isn't this acting like texans?
my political truisms. . .
wherever 4 legislators are gathered, there shall be a fifth.
(i know this used to be said about episcopalians, but i appropriated it because we're talking about a different kind of religion here.)
also,
"when 10 texans are in the room, there'll be 15 different opinions".

Billy Clyde said...

Dear Michael:

You betcha. Just like clockwork, every 15 years the quality persons at the Duberstein Group try to get Nolan Ryan elected Speaker. Some lady named Pelosi got it this time, which makes NR happy because he prefers making Dairy Queen commercials to public service.

Anonymous said...

Hash things out amongst themselves? To Craddick, that means "Kiss my ass, do what I say, or my buddy Jim Leininger will take his gazillions of dollars and plow you under come primary time." Folks on both sides of the aisle are tired of his act.

Billy Clyde said...

Dear Dreamer:

You seem a little mean-spirited. This is the holiday season.

BC

Anonymous said...

You're right, I apologize for the unseasonal vitriol. I seem to have been channeling the vibes emanating from the Speaker's chair. Let there be a spirited contest amd may the best representative win...as long as it's not Craddick.

Mike Chapman said...

Billy, you show real class. Good lobbyists know they don't have to always be right, just shoot straight. I hope the Duberstein folks appreciate your viral marketing efforts on behalf of the great one.