House Majority Leader John Rodgers has called for a delay in the vote for Speaker of the Massachusetts House. Rodgers has had surrogates raising a possible connection between rival Bob Deleo and the Cognos computer deal that caused Speaker Dimasi so much political pain. If Rodgers is seeking a delay then he must know that an immediate vote will lead to his loss. Bobby Deleo has released the names of those who he claims are supporting him, a list of eighty seven, which would put him over the top. Rodgers must agree with that assesment, or he too would be seeking an immediate vote. Speaker Dimasi is moving to schedule a vote this week, and Rodgers is even sniping at him, claiming Dimasi is now reneging on a deal made after the exit of Tom Finneran. From the State House News Service:

The Norwood Democrat also accused DiMasi of violating an agreement they reached in 2004 when both were jockeying to succeed then-Speaker Thomas Finneran. Rogers said DiMasi agreed to a pact, without a date certain, under which Rogers would succeed him.

“The understanding was crystal clear … that he would go first and I would go second,” Rogers told the News Service in a telephone interview Sunday night, saying DiMasi agreed “unequivocally.”

Rogers said he and DiMasi sealed the arrangement with a handshake across a dining room table, with Finneran looking on. “Talk to Tom Finneran, he was there,” Rogers said.

Through an intermediary, Finneran declined comment. Guarino, the DiMasi spokesman, also declined comment.

Rodgers now calls for a postponement to allow additional public participation in the selection of the Speaker. Hmmmmm………

Read the Globe listing of Deleo backers that will make him the next Speaker.