LONG-AWAITED HOUSE VOTE FAILS TO PRODUCE SPEAKER

After three days, the Missouri House of Representatives finally voted Monday on a replacement for outgoing Speaker Bob Griffin.

However, neither of the two candidates nominated could capture a majority of the vote, and the House will enter its fourth day in session today without settling on a leader.

Although Republican Mark Richardson garnered more votes than Democrat Sam Leake, it seems Richardson was a reluctant candidate.

After Democrats chose Leake as their candidate, no Republican stepped forward to nominate an opponent. Democrats, therefore, nominated and seconded Richardson.

But Richardson, a Poplar Bluff lawyer who nearly unseated Griffin in 1994, initially said no.

"It is almost comical what Richardson did," said Rep. Joe Heckemeyer, D-Sikeston. "He almost declined the nomination until it hit him that Sam Leake would be speaker by acclamation."

After the voting was over Richardson had 76 votes while Leake, a farmer from northeast Missouri, had 71.

Rep. Patrick Naeger, R-Perryville, viewed the vote as somewhat of a sham.

"My feelings on it are it was kind of a planned event," he said. "Bob Griffin knew there weren't enough votes on either side to get a speaker elected. He wanted to show the press and the people of Missouri that a good faith effort was made to get a speaker elected and we couldn't do it."

Naeger said that since Griffin hasn't resigned as speaker, the election of any candidate to claim a majority would be questionable.

"The whole irony is how can you elect another speaker when the speaker's seat is already filled? That is the million dollar question," Naeger said. "If Sam Leake got 82 votes, would he really be speaker? If Mark Richardson got 85 votes, would he really be speaker?"

Democratic Whip Larry Thomason of Kennett said that even if Richardson were to win, he couldn't last because those who backed him did so unenthusiastically.

"How long does he think he could be speaker? A week? Ten days?," Thomason said. "His support is tenuous at best."

Five Democrats voted for Richardson, but four Republicans opted not to vote. Eleven Democrats, including members of the Legislative Black Caucus, simply voted "present." Due to the absences, only an 80-vote majority was required to win. Had the four absent Republicans voted, however, the needed majority would have reverted to the normal 82 votes.

Meanwhile, a petition signed by 83 lawmakers declaring the speaker's position vacant was filed with the House clerk on Monday. Eight Democrats and all 75 Republicans signed the petition.

"I think Republicans won two victories today," said Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau. "We got the most votes for Mark and also got 83 people to sign a petition calling for Griffin to resign."

Although a majority of members signed the petition, its legal power to oust Griffin is questionable.

Naeger said Griffin should step down and Speaker Pro Tem Jim Barnes of Raytown should preside over any vote for a replacement.

But Heckemeyer said Republicans only want Barnes presiding so they can capitalize on his well-publicized personal and financial problems.

"The problem with Jim taking the seat is he is the perfect punching bag for Republicans," Heckemeyer said.

Thomason predicted speaker elections will be common this year as shaky coalitions collapse whenever a newly picked speaker angers loosely bound supporters.

"The bottom line is -- this is unfortunate, but the truth -- we will see this all session," Thomason said.

Heckemeyer disagreed. Once a new speaker is in place, he said, things will settle down.

"I think once we get busy, everyone will focus on business," he said.