Lessons in Civility

Two weeks ago, it looked like this Lege session would slip away calmly. Now there's a speaker race, a threat of a special session, and the continuing woes of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.

Texas Monthly's Paul Burka is saying on his blog that Dewhurst is expecting unhappy visitors from the Senate. San Antonio Dem Leticia Van de Putte and The Woodlands' GOPer Tommy Williams are, the rumor says, joining heavy-hitter Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, for a quick word with the lite guv about his recent (mis)handling of the Senate.

It all began with his widely criticized management of the floor vote on House Bill 218, the now-dead voter-ID bill, on Tuesday. Then there was the petulant email that he had to withdraw, rewrite, and apologize for. Whether this is the rumor-mill in high speed or a genuine report of a slap to Dewhurst's authority. Williams' office offered a rapid "no comment", but we're still waiting to hear from Ogden and Van de Putte.

Dewhurst could end up taking it from all sides. The Senate is often referred to as a club, as opposed to the recess-madhouse feel of the House on a bad day. Senators are at least respectful to each other, and Dewhurst's management could be seen as a violation of that unspoken code of ethics. Meanwhile, fans of voter suppression would probably be livid that he managed to not only blow the vote but make it such a public debacle.