Pete Laney Getting Drafted For Guv

I'm shocked, just shocked that the entire Texas Democratic Party hasn't united around Chris Bell's campaign. Really. I swear.

Yet another potential opponent for Bell:

The last time Pete Laney got swept up in a political draft was when the longtime Democratic state lawmaker was called on to introduce Republican George W. Bush to the nation as president-elect in 2000.

But now, the former Texas House speaker who still represents a sprawling swath of the Panhandle in Austin, might be feeling a draft from inside his own party.

On the House floor Wednesday, Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, was showing off a T-shirt touting Laney as a candidate for governor. Several members sidled up to Thompson asking where they could get one.

"The Draft Laney campaign starts here. I sold 50 of these T-shirts in 10 minutes," said Thompson, holding up the shirt with the message: "Save Texas, Laney for Gov -- 06."

[...]

Asked whether he'd encourage or even accept a draft for the Democratic nomination for governor, Laney remained coy.

"It'll take a lot more than a T-shirt," he said with a grin.