Bipartisanship...As Long As Democrats are in Control

"Hopefully we're entering a new bipartisan era. But it's up to the Republicans -- who ought to be happy because they have a Republican speaker -- to decide whether they're going to be petty or not." -- Rep. Henry Fincher (D-Cookeville)

One thing that should be crystal clear from this whole debacle with Rep. Kent Williams' back-stabbing ascendancy to Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives is that Democrats cannot be trusted. They will do anything--even vote for a Republican--to keep their power.

You would think after close to 140 years in control of the House, Democrats could be magnanimous and pass the gavel to a new majority, just as power is transferred from one party to the other in other state governments. That for once, Jimmy Naifeh would do something that doesn't benefit Jimmy Naifeh. Oh, but not Tennessee Democrats. Like the stubborn jackass that is their party symbol, they cannot unselfishly relinquish their power. They cannot step aside and allow the majority to run the show for two years. As much as we've heard them preach "Change," "Change," "Change," it doesn't apply when they are in control.

Now Democrats are suddenly advocates of bipartisanship after using so-called political "gamesmanship" to gain the upper hand again. With smiles still on their faces from their sabotaging endeavors, they want Republicans to work with them and their puppet Speaker and just forget about what happened. Let bygones be bygones. We got a Republican after all, didn't we? (Ha ha)

Bipartisanship cannot exist if both sides don't trust each other. As the Jackson Sun points out, Democrats have destroyed whatever chance there was for it by their schemes:

Clearly, Democrats pulled a fast one on the unsuspecting GOP majority. But while they may have gotten what they wanted in the short term - someone of their choice as speaker and favorable committee assignments - they likely have hurt themselves in the long run.

By sabotaging Republican plans, they have destroyed the already tenuous trust that existed between the parties. How does that help them when they have a legislative issue they care about and need Republican help to advance? It doesn't. How does it help manage the serious financial problems facing the state that need bipartisan cooperation? It doesn't.

Because of the arrogance of House Democrats, the chamber will be in gridlock and nothing significant will be accomplished for the next two years. Until Republicans can gain a significant majority in 2010, the people of Tennessee will continue to be susceptible to these back room deals because Democrats will do absolutely anything to stay in power. After 140 years, it is time for this kind of politics to end.

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.

Kent Williams Strikes Corrupt Bargain with House Democrats

Nothing like a corrupt political bargain to awaken this Tennessee Conservative from his winter slumber...

What should have been a historic day for Tennessee Republicans instead has become one of shock and frustration at the back room wheelings and dealings that Kent Williams made with Democrats in the state House of Representatives to make himself Speaker. The only truthful part of his acceptance was this jewel:

"I'm a Republican but not for much longer because you guys are going to kick me out, probably."

Can you blame them? It's interesting that he had to be protected by the Tennessee Highway Patrol while at the podium and when he was escorted out of the chamber. Looks like you're not a very popular guy right now, Kent.

The clincher was the first thing he did as Speaker: Allow Jimmy Naifeh to preside from his pedestal the rest of the day. Unbelieveable. (I'm sure this was part of the deal too.)

If Kent Williams believes everything will be hunky dory with his Republican colleagues from now on, he's sadly mistaken. Of course, the trouble now is the rogue member of their party is now in control of committee chairmanships and appointments, so they can't be too venomous in their reactions.

So much for that signed unity pledge to support a Republican for the office (which was supposed to be Jason Mumpower, not Williams) or what he told the Chattanoogan back on November 7, 2008:

“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.”

Yep, you've sure made the folks back home proud. One more lying politician to add to the bunch.

UPDATE: The nerve of this guy! Here's his response to why he didn't vote for House Republican leader Jason Mumpower: "I think I'd make a better speaker and a better leader."

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!!!