Tennessee: Williams elected speaker in upset

[TomC]

It's Nay fee.

Wow Tennesssee Williams elected speaker!!  That is a shock

His dead carcas could only be an improvement. And would smell better.

[Bleeding heart conservative, HTMLdon]

That said, the GOP did the same thing essentially when in the state senate they got Rosalind Kurita to elect a GOP Speaker in the Senate and a chairmanship for herself. Don had her pic up for months calling her a true hero.

Not quite.

Kent Williams voted for himself, in conjunction with the minority party, to maintain their control over government

Rosiland Kurita voted to turn over control to the party that had won the most seats in the election.

In 2004, Tennesseans elected a Republican majority for the first time ever in the State Senate.  Problem is that a "Republican" named Williams, Mike Williams in this case, voted for the 85-year-old Democrat John Wilder over Republican Ron Ramsey.

In 2006, Tennesseans once again returned a Republican majority, and Mike Williams was determined to keep Wilder.  Fortunately, Rosiland Kurita felt that it was time for a change and courageously broke with her own Party to support Ron Ramsey, who remains our Lt. Governor.

If anything, Kurita's actions are more similar to those of the 49 House Democrats who voted for Williams than Williams's own action.  I think that the Tennessee Democratic Party, who overturned the will of the voters in Kuritas district to force in their own party hack, will nullify the primary elections of all 49 House Dems for voting for a "Republican" for Speaker... but I doubt we would see that kind of fairness out of the TDP.

[Bleeding heart conservative, HTMLdon]

Sounds like probably the Dems are just hurting themselves in the long run.

Yes, long term, the state party needs to rid itself of Jimmy Naifeh.

If f**ktards like Gary Odom are your replacement then you might as well keep Naifeh.

Fun TN House facts:

Legislators under age 40:
12 Republicans
3 Democrats

9 of the 10 youngest members are Republicans
All of the 12 oldest members are Democrats

[Meeker]

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Oh my.

[rob in cal]

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This could be taken as an indication of William's bipartisan approach to politics. Not letting party affiliation get in the way of his admiration for the beauty of a Republican. How much is a weeks pay anyway?

[Holmes]

If that's true, what I'd like to know is why that wasn't reported after it happened. Keeping it secret for a time like this? Geez.

[TomC]

Sounds like probably the Dems are just hurting themselves in the long run.

Yes, long term, the state party needs to rid itself of Jimmy Naifeh.

If f**ktards like Gary Odom are your replacement then you might as well keep Naifeh.

I actually ran against Odom in a primary once.

[Bleeding heart conservative, HTMLdon]

Sounds like probably the Dems are just hurting themselves in the long run.

Yes, long term, the state party needs to rid itself of Jimmy Naifeh.

If f**ktards like Gary Odom are your replacement then you might as well keep Naifeh.

I actually ran against Odom in a primary once.

One of the many reasons why I like you.

[paul718]

hahahaha

Does Williams get a pay-raise as Speaker?  In all, I have to respect his gangsta.  (as well as the Democrats')

[minionofmidas]

Hilarious stuff... when it happens far away, and legislative and executive power are divided.

[Holmes]

Williams kicked out of GOP

So what, he'll become a Democrat now?

[TomC]

Williams kicked out of GOP

So what, he'll become a Democrat now?

No. He insists he's a "Carter County Republican" and might run as an independent, but is not a Democrat. The Democratic House Leader, Gary Odom, invited him to join the Dems, but Williams refused; he also promised to keep the seven GOP chairmanships of committees that he earlier appointed (he gave half to each party).