Splintered House Republicans Try To Regroup

House Republicans, shattered by the resignation of Lance Cargill as speaker and the withdrawal of Speaker Pro Tem Gus Blackwell as the leading candidate to replace Cargill, are dealing today with factional infighting and a clear leader for speaker has yet to emerge.

"We're splintered like never before," said one exasperated senior House Republican. "I think (Chris) Benge probably has the lead (in the speaker's race) but there's some resistance to him."

Benge's name emerged after Blackwell withdrew. Others in the race are Dale DeWitt, Susan Winchester and John Wright.

This week's relevations that both Cargill and Blackwell were late in paying taxes came just as Republicans were planning their aggressive agenda for the 2008 Legislature.

A Republican caucus is scheduled to elect a speaker-designate on Monday morning and the entire House will then elect a speaker later in the day.

Democrats hope the splintering among Republicans will, by some miracle, result in the election of Minority Leader Danny Morgan as speaker.

"When hell freezes over," declared a Republican leader. "That's a pipe dream."

The GOP Caucus also may have to elect a new speaker pro tem. Blackwell is under pressure by some to resign that leadership post by those who believe a clean GOP leadership slate is needed.

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