Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy?
Speaker Tom Craddick is being interrogated by dissidents such as Rep. Robert Talton, R-Pasadena, about the speaker's earlier claim that he doesn't have to recognize a motion to vacate the chair.
What is stunning about the scene is that, while we all know the House parliamentarian whispers advice to a speaker continually, we in the press box can actually hear the new parliamentarian, former Rep. Terry Keel, telling Mr. Craddick what to say.
Line by line!
Heck, people in the gallery can probably hear what Mr. Keel is telling the speaker.
At times, Mr. Craddick sounds as if he's taking an oath of office, as he recites, clause by clause, what Mr. Keel tells him.
Comments
DANG, you're not kidding! The Internet feed is QUITE CLEAR that Craddick is simply repeating what he is being told. "[At this time the chair...] Members, we're going... [The chair recognizes...] At this time, the chair recognizes..."
Craddick is even repeating what he is being told on matters not relating to the House Speaker removal.
Posted by: wes m | May 25, 2007 11:21 PM
Sounds like a wedding to me, a really l-o-n-g-w-e-d-d-i-n-g
and not real romantic.
Posted by: Julie | May 25, 2007 11:28 PM
So, is Terry Keel basically acting as Speaker now?
Posted by: Anonymous | May 25, 2007 11:57 PM
Another interpretation would be that though Mr. Craddick is using a past author of House rules to advise him, and is relying on that adviser heavily, the speaker is still calling the shots. Mr. Keel -- and Mr. Wilson, who sat in the chair beside the speaker a few minutes ago -- could be seen as simply executors of Mr. Craddick's will. Or does that sound too much like a bad pun about wills and estates?
Posted by: rtgarrett | May 26, 2007 12:08 AM
It is normal to hear the parliamentarian scripting for the chair.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 26, 2007 12:10 AM
i first walked into the house in 1972 -- bob johnson was whispering into rayford price's ear even then. this is nothing new.
Posted by: txasslm | May 26, 2007 12:38 AM
Yes, but Mr. Keel ain't whispering. His voice is loud. He's almost shouting it out. That's what was so jarring.
Posted by: rtgarrett | May 26, 2007 12:44 AM
If all reports are true, Terry Keel and Ron Wilson have been advising Craddick for weeks now.
If so, who was ruling on points of order on important bills? The Parliamentarian? Or the soon-to-be Parliamentarians?
It seems to me that reporters should try to get an answer to who has been running the House the past few weeks, particularly who has been making the rules.
Posted by: interested observer | May 26, 2007 1:56 AM