Speaker Watch: Craddick Out, Straus to Name Names

From Quorum Report and Burkablog come the first rumblings that Craddick has taken himself out of the Speaker's race and that Straus will release the names of 80+ pledges within the hour. (UPDATE: confirmed by Republican House member Sid Miller. Also, Dawnna Dukes supporting Straus.) Smithee is still in. Will Craddickites give their pledges to him? Senfronia Thompson has stepped out of the race and has asked her supporters to go with Straus. Whatever happens, if Craddick is really out, it's a good day for Texas. I worked hard for over a year - and made a ton of personal sacrifices - to end Craddick's regime. My goal was to be a part of a D takeover of the House. We didn't get that done. So, barring that, I have to be for whatever gets rid of Craddick. Yes, I know, a stronger R Speaker could make it harder for the D's to make an issue of Republican leadership in 2010, but I have believed so strongly for so long that Craddick is bad for Texas, that any change in Speaker gives me a tiny glimmer of hope that something - anything - just one thing maybe? - will come out of this session that will be positive for Texas families. I didn't believe that was possible under Craddick. Now, what will John Davis do? He's Craddick's boy. When Craddick sprinkled magic fairy dust over mediocre R members to give them some power and make them his serfs, Davis got a pretty good sprinkling. In a debate this past fall with his Democratic opponent, Davis boldly stated that his litums test for Speaker was him or her being anti-choice. Straus is on record as being anti-abortion except for "rape, incest and harm to the life of the Mother." I think those exceptions make it impossible for Davis to vote for him. So, I'm muching on popcorn while I watch where Craddick's lackeys land as they jump ship.