About Today's Vote

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9

Texas State Capitol -- In the end, we got 19 votes.

It seems disappointing (thought it's actually four more votes than this author expected), but it's progress.  The first recorded speaker vote in 40 years was a necessary step; Joe Staus' supporters now own the 84th's legislative output.  To quote Scott Turner: "No more smoke and mirrors."

Two years ago we wrote:

I was given information, in confidence, about how the final lobbying push went down, but the details are irrelevant. Members were pressured intensely by Team Straus, yet knew voters back home would not appreciate individual members voting for him. [David] Simpson's withdrawal allowed legislators to avoid the wrath of either.

Today, we got our vote.  It would have been awesome to get more votes, but it wasn't necessary.   To quote Michael Quinn Sullivan from yesterday:

"Whether they do the right thing or not is secondary to the fact that they have to choose."

They chose wrong, but they own it.

No more smoke and mirrors.

Bottom Line: Primary season starts early this year.  Election day is only 14 months away.  The biggest remaining question is how many of these clowns will retire rather than face the voters again....