House Speaker makes pitch for second term
House Speaker Dennis O'Brien (R., Phila.) wants to keep his job. Elected in 2007 when Democrats took control of the state House by a one-vote margin, he has occupied a most unusual role as a Republican leader in a Democrat-controlled House. Now he says wants a second term.
House Speaker makes pitch for second term
House Speaker Dennis O'Brien - who has occupied a most unusual if not unique role of Republican interloper in the Democrats' House - is making a pitch to his colleagues for another term.
In a speech to the Pennsylvania Press Club O'Brien, of Philadelphia, said if his fellow lawmakers elect him he would like to serve as speaker again in the next session.
"I am ready, willing, able and clearly interested in serving as speaker in the next session," O'Brien told a roomful of reporters, lobbyists and lawmakers yesterday. He said he wants to continue to work to "promote creative solutions" to address autism and other health care needs along with the state budget. (O'Brien also issued an early plea to his colleagues to start work on the budget now and not wait till the last weeks before the June 30 deadline).
Democrats nominated the popular chairman of the House Judiciary Committee in Jan. 2007 after it became apparent that with only a one-vote margin of control the new House Majority Leader, Bill DeWeese, did not have the support within his caucus to win the race himself.
Shaking off criticism - event shunning - by members of his own party, O'Brien has clearly relished the role of presider-in-chief, keeping floor debates in check and session schedules running smoothly. His future at the rostrum, however, is up in the air. A DeWeese spokesman said the majority leader is busy campaigning in his southwestern district and will think about the speaker's post and who will fill it after next Tuesday.
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FAR LEFT DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT + DEMOCRATIC HOUSE + DEMOCRATIC SENATE = NO CHECK AND BALANCES ------------------------------------------------------------------------ OBAMA + PELOSI + REID = SOCIALIST STATE OF AMERICA— LostDemocracy- The best guy, I have ever met. Good Luck Denny!!!— juror13
- President for All Americans: Obama + Pelosi + Reid = The end of gridlock and policies for ALL AMERICANS. The Republican Party's policies have brought the country to the brink of Great Depression II. A third Bush term is frightening. Republicans will get crushed for the second consecutive election cycle but thet still don't get it. Way to go, Bushie. You're doing a great job!!!— MikeP
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