Is Craddick Operating On A Deadline?

Is House Speaker Tom Craddick on a deadline to reveal the 76 supporters he needs to secure re-election? The Houston Chronicle indicates that there is speculation in that direction:

Craddick and his supporters contend they have the votes for re-election. His critics say he’s not even close. One way to find out is to force his hand. If Craddick doesn’t have the support, then Republicans now favoring him could be released to join any of the other nine speaker candidates already in the race.

“Patience is wearing thin,” says a GOP House member who has supported Craddick in the past but who now is uncommitted.

Many legislators want the speaker’s race resolved this month instead of seeing another fight push through the holidays and up until the session opens on Jan. 13. Craddick survived a challenge from GOP legislators Brian McCall and Jim Pitts two years ago when Republicans controlled the House, 81-69.

I honestly find it very hard to believe that Republicans would force Craddick’s hand and make him reveal his 76 pledges. For one thing, it would actually give Craddick the upper hand. Forcing him to reveal his hand early could cause him to significantly ramp up his campaign and end up with his 76 votes–or more–in a pretty quick fashion. After all, it is probably safe to say that, of the Republican candidates for Speaker at this point, Craddick has more signed pledge cards or informal pledges.

And, if Craddick simply released a list that was a bit inflated in order to get him to 76, how unlikely would it be that many Republicans would be willing to stand up and say, “take me off, I don’t support you?” I’d be willing to say zero, because they’d be risking a great deal.

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