POTENTIAL DRAMA MARKS START OF SESSION

JEFFERSON CITY -- The ceremonial first day of the Missouri House of Representatives could be overshadowed today by the drama of House Speaker Bob Griffin's bid for an eighth term.

Griffin was unopposed by fellow Democrats when the caucus met in November to elect officers for the upcoming session.

But the combination of the smallest Democratic majority in 40 years, animosity from some Democrats, and a promise by Republicans to not withdraw their nominee for speaker and force a recorded vote, could make a normally routine event for Griffin a difficult one.

All 163 members of the House will be sworn in shortly after noon today.

The first order of business is to elect a speaker and speaker pro tem. Rep. Gene Copeland, D-New Madrid, will be temporary speaker and preside over the election.

Tradition over the last several years has been that the Republican leader is nominated to oppose the Democratic nominee for speaker. Then, before a vote is taken, the Republican leader withdraws his name from consideration, and the speaker is elected by acclimation.

But this year, with increasing resentment from Republicans toward the longtime reign of Griffin, and Republicans being outnumbered just 87 to 76, there will be no withdrawal by the GOP nominee.

Minority Leader Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, said Tuesday he will not withdraw his name, forcing a recorded vote on speaker. He said many Republicans ran for the House promising not to vote for Griffin and needed an opportunity to keep that promise.

Richardson has no delusions about becoming speaker of the House; he knows that the majority Democratic Party will elect one of its own to the post.

"The vote for speaker, historically, where there has been an actual vote, has been a highly disciplined partisan event. I have no reason to believe it will be any different," said Richardson.

Richardson, however, believes Griffin may have trouble getting the 82 votes necessary to be elected speaker.

Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Kennett, the House majority whip, admitted Griffin might not get a vote from every Democratic member of the House. A few Democrats, who do not want to vote for Griffin, would not vote for Richardson but would simply walk out of the chamber instead of casting a vote.

He predicted Griffin would win.

Thomason maintained that the vote for speaker does not require a majority of the members of the House, but only a majority of those voting.

The number of votes necessary to get elected speaker is likely to be a point of contention; however, parliamentary disputes are resolved by a committee favorable to Griffin.

"There are some people who bear a grudge for Bob," said Thomason. "This would be a way to get back at him. But it is one thing to have a grudge or to punish some one, but you can't punish the caucus just because you want to get back at one man."

There has been speculation that some Republican members might vote for Griffin if that is necessary for him to be re-elected. But Richardson predicted all 76 Republicans would remain united against casting a vote for Griffin.

"If he can't get 82 Democrats then he shouldn't be looking on the Republican side for votes," said Richardson. "They have 87 members over there and it is not appropriate to be looking for Republicans."

Richardson said if Griffin doesn't have the votes to win, then Democrats need to find someone else to offer for speaker.

Thomason said he believes there will be a bigger fight over House rules than over who becomes speaker.

Rules likely will be debated on Thursday, before lawmakers adjourn for the week.

Richardson said Republicans will offer a number of rule changes on the floor as amendments. Many of those changes are aimed at reducing the power of the speaker.

Richardson said some Democrats will support Republican efforts to cut the power of the speaker. He added that many legislators feel the speaker's position has too much authority and that rules changes would be sought even if someone other than Griffin were the speaker.