COOK AGITATES REPUBLICANS ON STORMY 1ST DAY

JEFFERSON CITY -- What was supposed to have been about a 20-minute reign as presiding officer of the Missouri House turned into an excruciating experience for Secretary of State Rebecca Cook.

It also made her the target of sharp criticism from the Republicans.

Cook, a Democrat from Cape Girardeau who was appointed Dec. 16 by the governor, was caught on the dais during a Republican play to oust longtime House Speaker Bob Griffin.

Things had been going along well for Cook even though it took two hands for her to swing the huge gavel to bang the House to order.

Her final act was to preside over the election of a temporary speaker, traditionally a routine event. But an unexpected battle developed when Republicans nominated Zane Yates to challenge Gene Copeland.

Cook had to preside over heated debate about what rules applied, past precedence and whether there could even be a contested race for temporary speaker.

Eventually members cast votes, which are recorded on an electronic board in the front of the chamber. As presiding officer, Cook had the right to decide when to close the voting board. Since Yates had a slight edge, she refused to close the board, outraging Republicans.

Keeping the voting board open is common on close votes, but rarely has it been held open so long.

"Madam Secretary, I just wanted to inquire of you, since you run the elections in the future: Are you going to keep the polls open until your favorite candidate wins?" taunted Rep. Pat Kelley, R-Lee's Summit.

Cook shot back that she would keep the vote open until she decided to close it.

Minority Leader Mark Richardson called Cook's action "an arrogant display of power." Richardson charged that she had become a puppet for Griffin.

But Cook said she was caught in the middle.

"It was difficult and challenging. I was certainly unprepared for what occurred," she said.

Cook said she kept the board open because of the unexpected challenge. She also wanted to give party leaders time to try and break the deadlock.

But Richardson said for the first hour and 20 minutes the board was open Yates had the lead. He said it was not until arm twisting by Democrats that the vote became tied. She kept the board open so Griffin could beat on a few more people to get them to change their vote, he said.

"We fully expected Bekki Cook as a sworn-in state officeholder to preside over an impartial election," Richardson said. "We had no idea she would fall victim to Bob Griffin so quickly. I think it is an impeachable offense."

Lt. Gov. Roger Wilson visited with Cook while the board was open, and said he offered her moral support. He said that he thought Cook did a good job handling the situation and she had handled a trial by fire. As for Richardson's suggestion about Cook's impeachment, Wilson said if he really believes that he should follow up his words with action.

"I think it's nothing but political hysteria," he said.

Both Reps. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, and David Schwab, R-Jackson, said they were disappointed with the way business in the House was conducted Wednesday.

Schwab said, "I was very disappointed with the new secretary of state."

As she prepared to leave her Statehouse office Wednesday evening, Cook said she was tired and frustrated.

"My mother drove five and half hours to watch for 20 minutes. She finally got tired and left," Cook said.

As Cook left her Statehouse office one floor below the House chamber, she passed by handful of people still mingled around a half-empty table of food.

"Sorry I can't come to my reception," she said. "I hope you had a good time."

(Some information for this story was provided by The Associated Press.)