New House Speaker Honest Man Who Would Never Betray The Lord And Savior With A Kiss

Ahh! That photo at right — the one where the guy is ready to eat your soul — is one Dennis M. O’Brien, who was elected Speaker of the House in Pennsylvania yesterday. Before the vote, John Perzel was expected to keep his position as Speaker since one Democrat planned to vote for him and the Dems only had a one-vote margin in the house.

But Democrats came up with a better plan: Bill DeWeese — who was in line to be speaker had one of his party not pledged to vote for Perzel — and Dwight Evans asked O’Brien if he’d be willing to become speaker but let Democrats lead the committees.

During yesterday’s raucous nomination process, O’Brien even sat with his son on his lap. (Clearly, this man is a lifelong politician. And what a surprise: He was first elected to State House at 23.) He also gets a 56 percent increase in pay in going from a rank-and-file member to House Speaker.

He also said he wouldn’t be switching parties:

“The appreciation level from the other party is very temporary, but the memory of those you left is eternal. Why would I do it? For 30 pieces of silver?”

Ahh, you see: We study Biblical history so we know not to repeat it.

Gavel passes from Perzel [Inquirer]