Eyeing that Vacant Speaker's Office

by: odum

Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 07:54:30 AM EDT

At this point, there are a handful of names being bandied about. The one you hear the most in both the press and the hubbub is Rep. Mark Larson (Chit-3-2). Larson got some high-profile attention at the session's Douglas-driven curtain call, being a point person in the response to the Governor's so-called stimulus package. The response was not well-executed, but that's not necessarily to say there wasn't a good notion under there. It's also worth noting that despite being from Burlington, Larson has not become mired in the endless Dem versus Prog warfare up that way, as a concern with any Burlington candidate would be the possibility of that warfare piggybacking into the statehouse in a more prominent way.

Carolyn Partridge (Windham-4) wants the job as well, according to the hubbub. Partridge has been the Majority Leader under Symington's Speakership. Partridge, of course, shares a district with former Speaker Obuchowski. But right behind her on the leadership team is Floyd Nease (Lam-3) who many looked at as an early front runner. Nease would likely run a tight ship, which is good (and needed), but has a bit of a bunker mentality which could alienate. On the other hand, it may be that those qualities simply go together. Also there is Shap Smith (Lam-Wash 1), who is probably a longer shot as a legislator who is not as well known across constituencies as the others, but who is smart and well-liked, and being talked up by some.

Reportedly, John Rodgers (Orl-Cal 1) is also being talked up - by Republicans. I don't know Rodgers, he seems like a fine enough sort, but its easy to understand why he would be an appealing choice to the Rs, in that he will always be vulnerable in that district. It's important to have whoever the Speaker is be from a "safe" district. The Speaker will take on a lot of extra responsibility - supporting (and re-electing) the caucus, and promoting the agenda from a place of strength. If the Speaker is having to spend all their time worrying about their own re-election, that's not only a time and focus distraction, it could effect their approach to policy as well, in an attempt to mollify potential opposition. For that matter, Smith is also in a district that will likely never be completely secure, although he seems to be establishing himself surprisingly well there.

What do folks think? Any favorites?