Speaker selection creates pre-session drama

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Earlier this week, had you asked your typical House Republican who they thought would be the next Speaker, you would have probably been told, "Gus Blackwell."

If you had asked that same question two weeks ago, your answer would have been "Lance Cargill."

Ask it today and you won't get an answer.

With just three days to go before the beginning of the 2008 legislative session, most pundits, experts and even the legislators, themselves, aren't talking about tax policy or education funding.

Instead, the focus is on who will lead the House.

And right now the race is wide open.

With Thursday's announcement that Speaker Pro Tempore Gus Blackwell was dropping out of the race because he, too, had failed to pay his property taxes on time, all bets are off on who serve as the next leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Considered the third most powerful position in state governorment -- following the governor and Senate president pro tempore -- the job of speaker is much like runing a multi-million dollar company with several hundred workers, many of whom are absolutely sure they could run things better.

"Being speaker is a tough job," said Don Hoover an Oklahoma City political consultant. "All eyes are focused on the speaker. They are the face of their party."

Just a few weeks ago, that face was of a 35-year-old attorney from Harrah.

Earlier this week, the face changed to that of a 53-year-old former campus minister.

By Thursday evening, the face had changed again.

The surprises continued.

"I was shocked and surprised," Blackwell told The Associated Press Thursday, after he announced his withdrawl. "I have never been told that my taxes were late in any way, shape or form. I'm not blaming anyone but myself."

Up until Thursday afternoon, Blackwell had been the assumed front runner. In fact, the House's GOP floor leader, Greg Piatt of Ardmore, told the AP that Blackwell had secured enough votes to be designated the next House speaker by Republican House members.

That afternoon, things changed.

Word got out that Blackwell had paid property taxes in Texas County late for the past 13 years and shortly thereafter, Blackwell withdrew his name from consideration.

Blackwell said he made the move to prevent becoming a distraction that might interfere with passage of Republican-backed legislation.

"In the present political atmosphere of search and destroy, I wish for the new speaker to go in without any excess baggage so we can have a productive session," he said.

But Blackwell's problems are far from other.

Thursday evening, at least one Republican House member questioned whether Blackwell should keep his position as speaker pro tempore.

Moore Republican Rep. Paul Wesselhoft told an Oklahoma City television station Thursday night the next question GOP legislators face is, "Should Gus Blackwell remain our speaker pro tem?"

Wesselhoft answered the question saying, "I think not."

With Blackwell gone, the race for speaker took a turn toward the dramatic.

Representatives Susan Winchester, Chris Benge, Dale DeWitt and John Wright have all announced they are running for speaker.

On the Democratic side, minority leader Danny Morgan said that he, too, would be a candidate for the top post.

Of course, Morgan's election is unlikely, given that the Republicans hold 57 of the Houses 101 seats.

Still, even with the entry and exit of House leaders becoming an almost daily occurrence, one fact remains certain: By next Tuesday, someone will be serving as speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

But right now, no one knows just who that will be.