It’s really too bad, because Ray used to be a straight-shooter. Power corrupts.

As for the claimed “temporary” character of Sansom’s resignation/ recusal/ “stepping down” — or whatever neologism one might invent, I think it is probably irrelevant. Samson’s implied claim that he will return as speaker serves only two purposes. First, it allows him to save face right now and, he probably hopes, if any grand jurors are watching it moderates the implication of guilt. Second, it might act as something of a caution for any Republicans eager to replace him, themselves, but who are too frightened of losing and then suffering his wrath.

It’s all irrelevant because whether he’s indicted or not, I do not see him regaining his previous powers or reputation among his own colleagues. Some Republican legislators already are opposing him. Others will in time join their ranks. Too much time will have passed by the time the grand jury and ethics commission finish their work. Samson is bound by then to have lost a great deal of his influence.

So the way I see it, even if Samson actually should somehow avoid an indictment and attempt to regain the speakership, he’ll have to climb over a too-tall pile of power-hungry Republican colleagues. And if he doesn’t avoid indictment, then he’s finished anyway.