Straus 1, wingnuts 0

Joe Straus was easily re-elected Speaker of the Texas House, on a 132-15 vote.

Wingnuts, anti-Semitic bigotry, hot tempers and more all lose.

As Straus knows:

"Division, threats of retribution, attacks on people's religious beliefs, and distortions of people's records have no place in this House," Straus said after winning the post. "The men and women who are remembered beyond their years are not those who sow the seeds of discord, but those who plant for a future they may never see."

Hmm. Wonder if the Giffords shooting persuaded some waverers to stay with Straus? That said, I still think Democrats should be very careful about working with the GOP, even with Straus in charge, if the party shows little to no realism on budget issues.

Now, if the GOP in the Texas Senate pledges NOT to do what it DID do in 2009 - that is, lowering the supermajority bar from 2/3 to 3/5 - House AND Senate Dems may work more with their GOP counterparts. But, since the GOP now has a House supermajority, I wouldn't hold my breath.