CAPITOL LETTERS

I know, I know. Stop the presses.

Four hours after telling reporters and House Republicans that he didn't know if he'd seek re-election, House Speaker Tom Craddick says this about the 2009 session, for which House W/M Chair Jim Keffer just announced:

"I have talked to Nadine and I fully intend to run for Speaker. The paperwork was already filed last February."

Question now is, is this for real, or is he avoiding the lame-duck syndrome that would cripple his position over the next two years (and, more importantly, the next election cycle?)

Absolutely no way to tell by just asking. But I can say that this is not shocking. Craddick's a fighter, he hates to lose, he loves closing the deal, and if his race is real, there's no doubt he's looking forward to 18 months of negotiations.