He left the party

For years people have been complaining that there isn't a dime's worth of difference between the Democrats and the Republicans. Now, when the Tennessee Republican Party is trying to demonstrate that there will be, people are complaining that they've done a foolish thing in kicking
Speaker of the House Rep. Kent Williams (R I -Elizabethton) out of the party. They fear we'll lose our 'majority' or being out gamed. In a world that doesn't like black and white and excuses everything by pleading for fairness, compromise and begs us to consider extenuating circumstances the man with the backbone in the debate who will stand on principle is a woman named Robin Smith, TN GOP Chairman.

The bottom line here is that a political party is a team. The team depends upon people agreeing to certain principles that define the mission of the team. Part of being a team is working with your teammates to accomplish the goal. Trust in your team members to do their jobs and not be 'ball hogs' is essential. Trusting the team captain to call the plays and your fellow team members to execute those plays is what makes a successful team. On what planet should someone who is not a team player expect to stay on the team? It wasn't rogue players like Williams that got Pat Summit 1000 wins.

From my point of view Speaker Williams crossed the line when promised to vote for a Republican Speaker and Speaker Pro Tempore and did not. No one had a gun to his head. No one was threatening his family. He signed that pledge, gave his word, and now we know what his word is worth....nothing. No man who is a proven liar should be running the Tennessee House. Period. Why can't that be agreed upon? Because we expect politicians to lie? We shouldn't.

In her statement announcing that Williams will no longer be considered a Bona Fide Republican Smith lists a good number of things that demonstrate clearly to me, and every other frustrated Republican in this state, that there was more than ample reason to tell Williams he's off the team. What team member treats his teammates this way? He gave the other team significant power over legislation which will hobble the mission of the team. He gave the bigger offices and salaries to the other team. He IS dragging down the good name of the rest of the team. Frankly, I believe Smith's only acknowledging the fact that Williams has already left the team.

Obviously, the man is an island unto himself. Big snort comes when you know what shenanigans he's being playing out and then read this:

"I am a yes man for the people of Carter County and now that I am speaker I am a yes man for the people of Tennessee. They are my boss.” Kingsport TimesNews

And I should believe anything that comes out of the mouth of Speaker Williams? Your bosses, Speaker Williams, voted for a Republican majority. You gave us the back of your hand.

Having demonstrated that he is untrustworthy the Republicans have done exactly the right thing in cutting Williams from the team and moving on with team members that can be trusted and will work for the party goals. So here's your dimes worth of difference between the parties. The Republicans won't give safe haven to dishonorable men.

UPDATE: Here's the video of Robin Smith's 9:00 minute statement via Truman Bean. Two points jumped out at me.

1. Kent Williams hadn't met his party chairman until December 15, 2008 when she introduced herself to him. He's been in office 2 years already. How is it that they hadn't met before then? How involved in your party are you if you haven't even met the Chairman? (Minute 3:01 in the video below.)
   
2. Smith points out the absolute truth that Williams was elected Speaker of the House by the Democrats and himself. He is clearly the Democrat's Speaker, not the Republican's.

Hidden comments

I was visiting Speaker of the House Rep. Kent Williams' (R for now -Elizabethton) web page and noticed Rep. Jimmy Naifeh's (D-Covington) name flashed by for a moment. I couldn't replicate it without clearing my cache so I viewed the html source and see that the webmasters have kept Naifeh's biographic information on the page but hidden from view.

For those unfamiliar with html it's the instructions your web browser reads so you can see the page as the coder intended. Hidden comments begin with a < followed by an exclamation point. Webmasters use this to insert information they don't want your browser to read but they do want to keep handy. Often it'll be a credit for a snippet of code they're using or some sort of reminder for whomever may need to edit the page in the future. This time though it's keeping former Speaker Naifeh's bio information handy.

Try it yourself. Go to Speaker Williams' page. Right click your mouse. From the window that pops up pick "View Page Source" and scroll down the window that comes up and you'll see it yourself. Maybe they overlooked this in the rush to update the page, but then why put it comment brackets and not just remove it/move it? And then I keep looking at this rediscovered Williams harassment issue and wonder--who really gains if Williams (R) is run out of town on a rail.

UPDATE Friday 12:30 p.m.: The comment code with Naifeh's bio has been removed.

The Honorable Speaker

Speaker of the House Rep. Kent Williams (R -Elizabethton)

Williams said that "I probably did violate my promise," but that it was outweighed by a desire for change that would bring bipartisan fairness to the Legislature while protecting employees.--KnoxNews.

November 11, 2008 he committed vote vote for a Republican Speaker AND Speaker Pro Tempore. Wonder what else will outweigh his word.

Video from Tn GOP.


From Rob Huddleston: "Republicans will never be able to match Democrats when it comes to treachery." Lord, have mercy, I certainly hope they never are. I voted for honesty. What Carter County gave us was a liar.

Blue Collar Muse has a long list of conservative comment on yesterday's ---what do we call it--Democratic politics as usual?

From the City Paper:

"I'm not really all that surprised,” noted Rep. Frank Nicely (R-Knoxville) , “It is interesting. We were depending on honor, which is scarce these days. You can't force someone to be honorable, it comes from the inside out not the outside in."

You got a problem with me being Speaker?

Here's the exchange between brand new Tennessee
Speaker of the House Rep. Kent Williams (R-Elizabethton) and Rep. Mike Kelsey (R-Germantown) when Kelsey asked for clarification on Williams' previous statement about Jimmy Naifeh (D-Covington) conducting the day's session.

Don't overlook the private comment that starts this clip from Williams to Naifeh which is "Do I have to recognize him?" To his credit Naifeh tells Williams yes.

Streaming History

I'm watching the Tennessee House Session via streaming video. Nice feature is when you click on the session to watch it the pop up window also includes a copy of the agenda.

I missed Maury Davis of Nashville's Cornerstone Church giving the invocation.

They're currently calling the roll to verify a quorum.

Tn Supreme Court Justice Janice M. Holder is swearing in the members now.

In the meantime the Democrats are still running the House. Temporary rules. Rep. Gary Odom (D-Nashville) moves that the House should stand in recess until 1:00, Turner seconds. The shouts of objection are loud. Rep. Jason Mumpower (R-Bristol) is recognized by (Speaker for now) Jimmy Naifeh (D-Covington) and objects. Odom wants the recess for family photos. Mumpower asserts that the recess is unusual and calls for the order of the day. Odom prevails with the following vote totals. AC Kleinheider at the Nashville Post reports it was new legislator Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver (R-Lancaster) who crossed party lines to vote for the recess. Was it deliberate or accidental? Rep. Stacey Campfield (R-Knoxville) blogs it was a rookie mistake. She may have cost Republicans the majority.













Back from recess. Nominations for Speaker is the next order of business. Rep. Charles Sargent is nominating Rep. Mumpower. Rep. Susan Lynn (R-Mt. Juliet) seconds. Rep. Glen Casada (R-Franklin) immediately moves for closing of nomination. Odom objects and asks to approach the Well. Casada calls for rules of order and objects.

Odom wants to nominate someone and declares it improper to close nominations after only one nomination. "Let's hold a fair election." I have a nomination I'd like to make Mr. Speaker.

Naifeh asserts he doesn't know that Odom wants to nominate anyone (I don't believe it). and declares Casada's motion is out of order. Mumpower rises to challenge Naifeh's ruling. He's called Odom and Mumpower up to the front for a conversation off microphone. They're now calling in legal.

Gentlemen....let's just go to the tape. Casada has a motion, that according to Naifeh has been seconded, vote on the motion to close nominations. But somehow...like the bad call in Saturday's Titan's game where delay of game was overlooked...what was said and heard doesn't matter.

Naifeh recognizes Mumpower who withdraws the challenge.

Odom approaches the Well to nominate (the Republicans did it from the floor but Odom has to got down front). Odom says his nominee is known for "Putting people above partianship" gets laughter. Odom nominates Rep. Kent Williams (R-Elizabethton) !

Rep. Mike Turner (D-Nashville) moves to close nominations and it passes.

Roll call vote with Democrat names being called first. The clerk pauses after the Democrats and looks to Naifeh for direction. Naifeh tells him to continue with the vote. You can't hear the votes called out. When Williams votes there is cheering.

Vote: 50 Williams Mumpower 49. Booing and clapping as Naifeh tries to get order and Naifeh calls Williams to the front for the swearing in by Justice Holder.

I'm stunned but still not really surprised that Naifeh managed to pull this off. The man was too quiet. Everyone suspected he had something up his sleeve. I don't think anyone anticipated this.

What is it about 'Republicans' named Williams???

Williams: I've been booed before. I'm a Republican for not much longer. Today comes the end of the reign of a great speaker, Jimmy Naifeh (he's got the reign part right). Today I realize the disappointment and hurt of a lot of members of my party, especially our leader Jason Mumpower. But today isn't about Kent Williams or Speaker Jimmy Naifeh or Jason Mumpower. It's now about Republicans and Democrats but it's about change. ... Committee appointments will be based on seniority and ability. Ability being more important.

Williams designates Naifeh to 'finish out the session'. Groans.

Election of Speaker Pro Tempore: Rep. Johnny Shaw (D-Bolivar) nominates Rep. Lois DeBerry (D-Memphis) calling her "a virtuous woman". (This is NOT change. She's had this job for quiet some time.)

Mumpower rises to ask for a 30 minute caucus to determine their nominee until 2:15. Mike Turner declares the Democrats will also meet. (Wonder in which room Williams will spend the break.)

AC Kleinheider has this from GOP Party Chair Robin Smith:

“Kent Williams has betrayed his constituents and the people of Carter County in breaking his pledge - his signed oath - to vote for the nominee of the Republican caucus for Speaker of the House. He lied, in a quest for personal power, in league with Democrat Speaker Jimmy Naifeh and House Minority Leader Gary Odom, in their desire to retain power despite the results of the 2008 elections.”

2:30 back from recess. Naifeh calls the groups back into session. Williams is standing next to him. Back to election of Speaker Pro-Tempore. Rep. Harry Brooks (R-Knoxville) rises to nominate Rep. Beth Harwell-Halteman (R-Nashville) . Debra Maggart (R-Hendersonville) seconds. (Good choice by the Republicans) Rep. Joe McCord (R-Maryville) calls for end to nominations. Roll call vote. Democrats first. Clerk Durham accidentally skipped two legislators and had to go back and catch up.

DeBerry 50 Harwell 49. Even more disappointing. And so Justice Holder swears in DeBerry and she keeps her former position. "I will continue to do the very best job I can" and "In the words of our leadership team 12 years ago, you cannot make this stuff up".

Williams takes control of the meeting and appoints the list Naifeh coaches him on for various House Officer positions. Williams asks at one point what the first name is. He's appointed committees to report to the Governor and the Senate that the House is ready for business and will recess until those committee's accomplish that bit of formality.

Unaware that the microphone is open Williams comments to Naifeh: "It's a good thing I've got thick skin."

Rep. Brian Kelsey (R-Germantown) is recognized and asks if Naifeh was Speaker for the day or not. Williams "Do you have a problem with me being Speaker?" Kelsey pauses and says yes. There is clearly some irritation in Williams voice over being called to clarify his previous words about Naifeh finishing out the session as Speaker. It's a reasonable question and considering the fact that Naifeh is at Williams' right elbow, whispering directions and pointing to items on papers on the lectern it might just be more efficient for Williams to let Naifeh 'finish out the session'.

McCord is recognized and moves for adjournment. At Naifeh's suggestion Williams asks McCord to withdraw the motion. Back and forth. 10 minute recess is granted to McCord in lieu of a full recess.

3:15 back in session. Audit committee is announced. Todd thanks folks for their support during his knee surgery. Cooper calls for a meeting of the Black Caucus. Caseda wants to know what is being done by about the joint meeting about constitutional Officers. The clerk informs the Speaker that the senate paperwork is on the desk awaiting House action. Maddox rises and also thanks folks for their support after the death of his brother. He also announces the group that Rep. Les Winningham's (D-Huntsville) wife is at death's door and asks for a moment of silence for her. It's SERIOUS business when a man feels compelled to leave his wife's bedside to ensure his party stays in power. Caseda asks about the time frame on the joint committee. Odom is recognzied and says it'll be handled Thursday. The Clerk reads the Senate paperwork and says the meeting is tomorrow. McCord is recognized and asks if they'll be a two or three week break tomorrow so folks can plan. Speaker says he'll let them know after meeting with leadership.

Introduction of resolutions...yadda, yadda

Turner says they'll be a Democratic Press press conference immediately after adjournment.

Suddenly, a roll call vote. Williams needs to remember he's in front of a live microphone. 99 members present.

It was a historic meeting to be sure. It clear, to me, that nothing has changed. Republicans anticipated a tough battle this session as a result of the fiscal trouble they would have inherited. The battle is still going to be tough but the field has certainly changed. I would encourage the House Republicans to stand firm and fight for every hill available.

I'm thankful for the Senate's larger majority which will be necessary in order to, as in previous sessions, keep the House restrained.

The House is in recess until 9:00 a.m. tomorrow.










In the hour it took me to clean up this post and include hyperlinks the House webmasters have already updated Speaker Williams' web page.
















However, Rep. Naifeh's page still shows him holding the Speaker's gavel. I believe that's going to be the case throughout this session.