John Rogers' "Three Houses Speech"

My Phoenix colleague Chris Faraone reports from the State House that representative John Rogers has just delivered a "the speech of his life" on the floor of the House, in which he endorsed his rival Robert DeLeo for Speaker.

Faraone is calling it Rogers's "Three Houses Speech."

First, Rogers apologized for the ethics scandal concerning his house on the Cape.

Second, Rogers spoke of a house in his neighborhood where both parents have lost their incomes; this was to dramatize the dire situation in the Commonwealth: "these are real lives being dramatically shattered."

Third, Rogers spoke of the need for unity and openness in the state House of Representatives. "We have had division that has played out in public, and the people have been harmed." Also, "we must open up the windows and let the sun shine through."

Faraone says that the nearly 10-minute speech, preceding the vote for Speaker, was met with rousing applause.