Never count out Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick.
Written off as beaten after the election left Republicans with a 76-74 edge -- and Craddick with a slew of eager opponents -- the Midland Republican is now riding a PR push meant to pressure House members into keeping him.
First his hometown Midland Reporter-Telegram offered a fanciful summary of Craddick's chances to stay, including a Midland transportation official describing him as "warm and personable."
Now former Texas House candidate Bill Burch of Arlington has signed onto a letter calling for Republicans to "quit stepping into cow patties" and keep Craddick as speaker.
Co-author Jim Cardle of Austin is identified in detail from a leftward point of view in this Oklahoma political blog. He's a conservative activist with an email address of "lessgovt.:
Another activist sent a letter saying that "liberals" are trying to take over the House, referring to the Democrats who would have to vote with Republicans to elect, say, business Republicans Burt Solomons or Jim Keffer as speaker.
The House will vote Jan. 13.
--Bud Kennedy
Comments