Rep. Larry Cretul has heard the jokes about his accidental status as speaker of the Florida House, but with a single act this week, he left no doubt who is in charge.

On Wednesday, Cretul stripped Miami Republican Julio Robaina as a committee chairman for undermining a bill that was a priority of the attorney general.

Cretul's power play struck some as heavy-handed, while others said it was the right medicine.

"When you get tested, you must take action," said Rep. Rich Glorioso, a Plant City Republican and retired Air Force colonel. "That's the basic rule of leadership. Otherwise you lose control." (story here)