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]

Dem. State House Leader Uses Inspiring Rhetoric From Confederate General Also Famous For Killing Mexican Civilians

The Chester County recount is apparently finally over, and Democrats are now officially in control of the State House, 102-101.

If certified, the victory by Democrat Barbara McIlvaine Smith would be just 27 votes. But hey, a win’s a win, so let’s turn to Bill DeWeese, the likely House speaker, for some celebration:

“Former Speaker Perzel should be packing his stapler and his rubber bands and his paper clips forthwith. As Stonewall Jackson shouted to his Confederate legions in the Shenandoah campaign of 1862, this affair has hung in the balance for too long. ‘Sweep the field with the bayonet!’”

How long do you think DeWeese researched that one? Couple of days?

One more time: Pa. House is Democrat [Inquirer]