GOP treachery in Tennessee
Something’s rotten in Tennessee. A Republican cut a backroom deal with 49 Democrats to secure the statehouse speakership. Chaos ensued. I’m surprised no shoes were thrown.
Blago would be impressed:
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In an extraordinary move in the opening session of the state legislature this afternoon, Republican Kent Williams won speakership of the House, beating veteran Democrat Jimmy Naifeh and Republican leader Jason Mumpower, who was widely expected to get the post.
Shortly after, Williams voted for Democrat Lois DeBerry for speaker pro tem, the number two position, illustrating his willingness to power-share with Democrats who elected him to the speakership.
Williams, while a dark horse candidate, was not completely unexpected. There had been rumors weeks before that Williams, who had supported Naifeh as speaker in the past, might defect from the Republicans.
The election of Williams was what Democrats called the “nuclear option:” electing a Republican who was friendly to Democrats, creating coalitions between the parties. As recently as Monday, Mumpower had dismissed such talk, saying that Republicans were united.
Afterward, Naifeh acknowledged that the move was likely to anger Republicans, but said he thought Democrats and Republicans could continue to work together,” he said.
“Emotions are high right now, and I would hope that we would be able to have a good session,” Naifeh said.
As the vote took place, the House chamber at moments erupted into near bedlam, with spectators raining down boos, hisses and angry shouts, all of which was quickly quieted when Naifeh threatened to have unruly audience members removed from the chamber.
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TCOTReport calls it “political skullduggery.”
Also known as: bipartisan corruption as usual.
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Tennessee blogger Stacey Campfield has been tracking the shenanigans. Go here.
RedState wants you to send silly putty to Williams.
Back-stabbing knives would be more appropriate, I think.
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