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April 30th, 2008 by Derrick DePledge*Update: State House dissidents have fallen short of the votes necessary to oust state House Speaker Calvin Say, D-20th (St. Louis Heights, Pälolo Valley, Wilhelmina Rise).
Although accounts vary, several sources said the dissidents had approached or broken 20 and were negotiating with the seven House Republicans to reach the 26 necessary for a majority. The likely new speaker had they hit the magic number? State Rep. Sylvia Luke, D-26th (Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl).
The dissidents have tried before to replace Say but have been outplayed by loyalists close to the veteran Democrat.
The challenges to pull it off Thursday — the last day of session — included convincing some liberal Democrats to align with Republicans and the risk of political retribution to those who publicly side with the dissidents if the move fails on the floor. At least a few Democrats who have been critical of Say in the past said they won’t go along if Republicans are involved.
Without a cushion, the coalition could also fall apart by next session because of House turnover after the November elections.
April 30th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
It is less important whether the dissidents succeed or not and more important as to what this symbolizes. Clearly, there is growing discontent with the leadership team in the House so if the current leadership survives, it will need to address the concerns that led to this revolt. If they deal with it like they did the last time, they will likely fall after the election, in my opinion.
However, if the dissidents succeed, the vote margin will be so razor thin that it won’t be all that difficult for Say and his supporters to oust the dissidents.
May 1st, 2008 at 4:26 am
If the dizzy dents have to align their stars with the republicans there’s a birth defect in that deal from the get go.
May 1st, 2008 at 7:51 am
should be interesting to watch. many good reasons to support the coup. working with your adversary is always challenging but usually yields workable results. leadership requires working with others who may not share your views or values.
May 1st, 2008 at 8:06 am
How interesting. Perhaps with a new leadership team in the House, Democrats might finally have the courage to do something for this state, instead of continuing to bury any controversial issues and shy away from real solutions.
With a shrinking economy, skyrocketing housing, soaring healthcare costs and all sorts of other serious problems, maybe we’ll finally have some serious solutions instead of cheap band-aid fixes.
What a joke these past two years have been. Imagine what the Legislature could have actually accomplished if its leaders weren’t so focused on their friends’ special-interest bills and worrying about protecting their own seats in power.
What a waste this year has been.
May 1st, 2008 at 10:40 am
Oh my goodness!
A curious move on the last day, Bold, to be sure. De-stabilizing for the interim, but I guess that’s the point. “Everything in” for the primaries this fall.
Is there an estimated time for the floorfight?
May 1st, 2008 at 11:52 am
Won’t happen. End of story.
You decide if it’s a tragedy or a comedy.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Politics not only makes strange bedfellows, it’s just strange.
The “progressive” dissidents making an alliance with Republicans like Gene “global warming is just a hoax” Ward and Kimberly “fry all criminals” Pine and Colleen “union thugs are the bane of society” Meyer is not only surreal, it’s hilarious.
That coalition would last about as long as the lifespan of a housefly.
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:28 am
Well since nothing happened, it’ll e interesting to see what happens after elections…