RICHARDSON'S RUN AT GRIFFIN MISSES

JEFFERSON CITY -- A bid to dump longtime House Speaker Bob Griffin and replace him with Republican Leader Mark Richardson fell short Thursday morning.

Griffin, who already held the powerful post longer than any one in Missouri history, won an eighth term by a vote of 82 to 80 against Richardson of Poplar Bluff.

Both Richardson and Griffin promised to put the bitter speaker's fight behind them and work together on legislation to improve the state. However, most legislators fear the fight this week will lead to a highly partisan session where little is accomplished.

"The election is over, we have a speaker sworn in and it is time to go to work," Richardson said. "I think the divisiveness is over."

Griffin predicted when the "heat of battle dissipates, we will wind up working together."

Using a coalition that originally included six Democratic defectors, Republicans almost engineered a takeover of the House's top leadership position. On Wednesday, the House adjourned with an 81-81 deadlock between Gene Copeland, D-New Madrid, and Zane Yates, R-Oakville, for temporary speaker.

The outcome of that vote was viewed as an indication of the vote for speaker.

On Thursday the House convened nearly an hour later than scheduled, while both parties held caucuses to determine whether any support had changed overnight.

Secretary of State Rebecca Cook of Cape Girardeau called the House into session for the second straight day, and immediately asked for members to vote for temporary speaker.

Cook kept the voting board open about five minutes, and Rep. Matt O'Neill, D-St. Louis, changed his vote from Yates to Copeland.

A short time later, with Copeland presiding, Griffin was re-elected speaker.

The six Democrats who sided with Republicans Wednesday -- termed by Griffin as the unholy alliance -- remained secluded together overnight in an attempt to avoid harassment from Democratic colleagues to change their vote.

Shortly before going on the floor Thursday, Richardson said O'Neill told him he was going to change his vote. Richardson was hopeful other Democrats might switch over, but none did.

"We knew one Democrat had to go back because he was threatened with the loss of his job," Richardson said.

O'Neill is employed by a labor union in St. Louis and was allegedly told by bosses who wanted Griffin re-elected that he would be fired if he did not change his vote.

Only one of the 76 House Republicans, Rep. Jim Murphy of Crestwood, sided with Griffin.

Rumors ran rampant around the Capitol about deals that had been cut by members of both parties or examples of pressure that was applied. Most were untrue, including one that U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich had called Murphy Wednesday to try and get him to join his GOP colleagues.

Despite rumors of involvement by Gov. Mel Carnahan, his communications director, Chris Sifford, said he made only two phone calls Wednesday night. Sifford would not say who was called, but stressed he did not make any directed at O'Neill.

"The governor felt our legislative agenda would fare much better with a Democratic speaker," Sifford said.

After the first vote Thursday elected Copeland, a ceremonial escort committee appointed in advance brought Copeland to the dais. Two of the Southeast Missouri Republicans in the group, Richardson and Rep. Mary Kasten of Cape Girardeau, declined to participate.

Once Copeland got to the front, a grateful Cook quickly handed him the gavel.

"It is my sincere pleasure to present this and all authority to Rep. Copeland," Cook said.

Because of the conflict, what should have been a 20-minute ceremonial time as presiding officer of the House stretched into four hours Wednesday and into Thursday.

Republicans continued to criticize Cook for keeping the voting board open Wednesday to give Democrats time to deadlock the vote for temporary speaker.

The House will return to session Monday at 4 p.m. to begin discussing rules. Another battle is expected over rules.

Once rules are set, committee assignments will be given out.