The Geren Amendment continues to be debated. Essentially, the amendment states that those votes for Speaker are kept secret until after committee assignments are made. Makes sense to me, free people up to vote without the consequences of being on some gay ass committee because their guy lost. It's 4:42 p.m. and we're still talking about something that should be a no-brainer. The arm-twisting and posturing continues. Advantage so far? Pitts.

4:45--A threat to clear the gallery. Who is this moron that just compared the election of the Speaker to the Alamo? First douche of the 80th Legislative Session is hereby nominated. P.S. Why is my live feed in Black & White? It's like I'm watching Twelve Angry Men over here!

4:47--Voting on the Motion to Table the secret ballot controversy. Motion to Table prevails. 68 Nays must be some pretty confident folks. Now we'll vote on the Hartnett Amendement. The Amendment is adopted. NEXT!

4:51--Aww, our first Senate Messenger sighting! They're so cute. We love when they come in.

4:55--Tommy Merritt is a hilarious preacher. He's invoked rainbows, 14th century Italy and Vietnam. Merritt pleads for the right to put his ballot in a box. He asked how many Representatives have been threatened by a lobbyist. What a very telling statement by a state legislator.

5:03--The vote is to table Merritt's secret ballot amendment. 91 Ayes, 57 Nays. No secret ballot for you! I am getting turned on every time I hear 'strict enforcement' because it's making me think of something else entirely.

5:08--So do the defeat of the amendments mean a win for Craddick or are the Pitts people that confident?