Straus, Hamilton, Neerman, Jefferson, and Palin

Rep. Joe Straus III, R-San Antonio, in the San Antonio Express-News: I'm deeply concerned about the Republican Party, and I'm concerned about the Texas House. There are a lot of Republicans who feel the way I do — this goes deeper than the speakership of Tom Craddick. There is a feeling that the status quo is not acceptable."

Rep. Mike Hamilton, R-Mauriceville, asked by the Associated Press who he'll support for speaker of the House: "Undecided."

Dallas County GOP Chairman Jonathan Neerman, talking with The Dallas Morning News about his party's weak showing there on Election Day: "The top of the ticket dictates the fortunes of down-ballot candidates. We knew we were running uphill in mud."

Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson, quoted in the Houston Chronicle: "This is a strange way to select those who guard our legal rights. It is time to decide whether partisan election is the best means to ensure judicial competence. It has become clear that in judicial elections, the public (particularly in urban areas) cannot cast informed votes due to the sheer number of candidates on the ballot."

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, telling the Associated Press she never asked anyone to buy her a new wardrobe for the vice presidential campaign: "I never asked for anything more than a Diet Dr Pepper once in a while."