As Rep. Franklin Sands of Weston is getting settled in as the leader of the 44-member House Democratic caucus, a colleague is working behind the scenes to secure commitments of support to succeed him in 2010. That's Rep. Ron Saunders of Key West, who's in his second legislative career, having previously served in the House from 1986-1994 when his party was in control.

"Not yet," Saunders said Tuesday when asked if he was formally seeking the minority leader's post. He said that's because he is barred from seeking written pledges from lawmakers until he files with the clerk as a candidate for the post, and he won't do that until he achieves a clear consensus of support for his candidacy (the magic number is 23 votes in the caucus).

"The consensus is closing, but it is not there yet," Saunders said. He also just happened to have in his coat pocket a copy of a 16-year-old Miami Herald news clip in which he was rated the most effective member of the House in the 1992 session. Highlighted from that piece by reporter Tim Nickens was this description of Saunders by Republican Miguel De Grandy: "He's a consensus-builder -- he's not abrasive or arrogant, despite that he's in an influential position."