Seeds of Deception

In his first press conference as House Speaker today, Kent Williams divulged one-sentence tidbits about how this whole corrupt bargain with House Democrats came about:

Q: When did the Democrats first approach you about this?

Williams: The Democrats didn't approach me. I approached them.

Q: And what did you say?

Williams: I told them I'd like to be speaker of the House. It was maybe a couple of days ago, I don't know.

Q: What did the Democrats say to you? OK?

Williams: Evidently.

A man of a great many words, to be sure.

So now we know that Kent was not led astray off the Republican reservation; he went of his own free will. He initiated the deal. The details seem to be a little fuzzy at the moment, but hopefully we'll learn more in the coming days.

Open Letter to Kent Williams

I couldn't help but let our new House Speaker know what I thought of his treacherous deal with House Democrats, so I emailed him this ditty:

Mr. Williams,

I am not a constituent in your district, but I am a state taxpayer, a voter, and a supporter of the Republican Party.

For the first time since the end of Reconstruction, there is a Republican majority in the House. At least there WAS one before today's session. As a member of the House Republican caucus, you signed a document committing yourself to vote for a Republican candidate for speaker and speaker pro tempore. You were quoted in the Chattanoogan on November 7, 2008 as saying: “I want to state today, unequivocally, that I pledge to vote for a Republican for Speaker of the House. I have every reason to expect that the Republican nominee will be Leader Jason Mumpower. We are grateful that the people of Tennessee have given us the opportunity to lead. We will make them proud.”

http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_138597.asp

Instead of making your constituents proud, you have deceived them. You have done the same to your Republican colleagues. You have made some sort of back room deal with Democrat representatives to gain their trust and their votes to make yourself speaker. While "technically" you may have voted for a Republican for speaker (yourself), you unequivocally broke your signed pledge by voting for a Democrat for Speaker Pro Tempore.

Politics of deception, Mr. Williams, is NOT the kind of so-called "change" we need in the General Assembly. Your action today is no shining example of how a public servant and an elected official should conduct himself or serve those who elected him.

Polite but truthful, I think.

Taking a Break

The Election of 2008 is over (at least in states excluding Georgia and Minnesota) and the Liberal Messiah will be inaugurated in only two months and one day. America will see how much "Change" there will be in Washington with the liberals and ex-Clinton cronies in charge. If Obama, Pelosi, and Reid tilt the country toward the left in the next two years, look for some right-sided changes in the next Congressional elections.

The one redeeming outcome of the election was the new Republican majorities in both houses of the Tennessee General Assembly. It will be glorious fun to see Democrat boss Jimmy Naifeh relegated to a common representative's seat on the House floor rather than the lofty pedestal he has occupied the past 17 years. I'm sure he won't find the view quite as nice as he enjoyed before.

With the holidays coming up, I'll be taking a respite from politics for a little while. I'll be working on other writing projects that I've put aside during the campaigns. But when I start getting angry at the politicians and talking back to the radio and television again, I'll be back to vent a little frustration at the left-wing wackos and Obamaniacs making news.

Take care, and remember not to take it all so seriously. :)

Tennessee "A Deeper Shade of Red"

It looks like the ridiculous press releases and gimmicky cow costumes couldn't keep Tennessee Democrats in control of the General Assembly after all. While the Liberal Messiah's capture of the presidency was disheartening, the blow has been cushioned somewhat by new Republican majorities in the state house and senate this Election Night.

From the state GOP:

Tennessee turned a deeper shade of red Tuesday as Republican victories in state legislative races increased the party’s majority in the state Senate and gave Republicans a majority in the state House for the first time since 1968.

For the first time since Reconstruction, Republicans hold a majority in both houses of the Tennessee General Assembly.

“The election of a Republican majority in the General Assembly is historic in its own right, and even more so given the strong Democratic tide across much of the country,” said Robin Smith, Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party. “Our victories send a national message that Republican values still resonate with mainstream America. The power of a consistent conservative Republican message - low taxes, small government and respect for life - once again demonstrated its power to attract a majority.”

Republicans held a majority in the state House for two years after the 1968 election, but had not held a majority in the state Senate since Reconstruction until the 2006 election.

“We are indebted to our great volunteers across Tennessee and to the people of Tennessee for this historic achievement,” Smith said.

So long, Jimmy Naifeh! So sorry, Jim Kyle! Your stolen election doesn't mean a thing, Tim Barnes!

Hallelujah!!!