SHOW THE SPEAKER VOTING FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY

When Warren Chisum becomes a media star, you know this Speaker's Race nonsense has gotten out of hand.

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Here's the latest:

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Charlie Geren wants to give every member 1.37 votes, to be cast using the modified College of Cardinals smoke system.

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Will Hartnett proposes that all Craddick backers assemble in the House chamber tomorrow, while the other people (losers) gather on Congress Avenue for a black-capped vireo cookout. Sounds scrumptious.

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(For those who take their dead-birds-on-Congress news really seriously, this blog has some outstanding reporting on the issue.) http://www.texaslegislature.beloblog.com/

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Patrick Rose seeks a grand compromise. Being an Ivy Leaguer, he suggests that members forgo voting altogether and instead have a big Naked Party (see link). This proposal seemed to have legs until Vicki Truitt showed entirely too much enthusiasm for it and for some reason wanted Gene Seaman to be invited. In a completely inexplicable turn of events, she also proclaimed herself "the Firecrotch of the House." I'm pretty sure this whole idea is dead.

http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=36832007

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Richard Raymond made news this weekend by publicly declaring that he would do "whatever it takes" to remain on the losing side of every political issue he has ever encountered. He's still a Bob Krueger guy at heart. Believe it or not, Bob Krueger was actually a U.S. Senator from Texas for a brief -- very brief -- period of time. How'd that happen?

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Billy Clyde often finds irony and humor where it probably doesn't belong. But he can't help but think that his friend Billy Wayne Clayton, who died over the weekend, would be getting a chuckle out of this whole deal. Clayton, you may recall, is the fellow who gave Ralph Wayne and Tom Craddick permission to recruit a young Pete Laney to run for the House against Delwin Jones, who records show is still a House member even though Laney beat him. How'd that happen?

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BC always appreciated Clayton's liberal use of the terms "Socialist" and "Communist." They are underused words these days, but the Man From Earth (his actual hometown, or maybe it's Springlake)) did his part to keep them alive. Former U.S. Attorney Tony Canales, after prosecuting Speaker Clayton and getting his ass handed to him on a silver platter, announced to the press that he would support a Clayton candidacy for Governor. Dude, do you want him in the pen or the Governor's Mansion? Make up your mind.

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There will be two huge winners tomorrow. The guy who receives the most votes (Tom Craddick) and Roger Williams, who has vowed to limit his speech to three hours and forty-five minutes. During which time he will highlight all the features of GM's new line of full-sized luxury vehicles. Including custom window tinting.

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I'll be there.