Sneak Attack

Updated: With video

I am a little late getting to this one but I have to post about it to represent for my Tennessee Democrats. It seems that the Dems in the Tennessee House of Representatives have pulled off some what of a coup with the help of a moderate Republican. From the Nashville Post:

It is now official: There is a Republican speaker of the Tennessee State House. But his name is not Jason Mumpower.

The Tennessee House of Representatives officialy installed East Tennessee Republican Rep. Kent Williams of Carter County as the Speaker for 106th General Assembly.

Democrats pulled the old switcheroo and put Williams into office to cries of "traitor" from some members of the Republican caucus. Williams had been considered a target for a Democratic vote but had maintained all along that he would vote for a Republican. In the end, he did, voting for himself.

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Today's drama began when Democratic Leader Gary Odom motioned for a 30-minute recess after members were sworn in, to which Mumpower vehemently objected. As Speaker of the 105th General Assembly, Naifeh still presided and quickly gaveled for the recess.

Mumpower then called for a vote, which he lost when freshman Republican State Rep. Terry Lynn Weaver of Lancaster voted with Democrats. As the vote was made official, Republicans could be heard shouting for her to change her vote, which she did not do in time.

Republican legislators claimed after the vote that she had hit the wrong button. Nevertheless, it was an inauspicious beginning to her legislative career and the new Republican majority.

When the House came back, Mumpower was nominated by his colleagues. Then things became more tense when Naifeh recognized Republican State Rep. Glen Casada of Franklin. Casada called for nominations to cease, a motion that was seconded – all this before Democrats placed Naifeh's name in nomination.

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When the House came back, Mumpower was nominated by his colleagues. Then things became more tense when Naifeh recognized Republican State Rep. Glen Casada of Franklin. Casada called for nominations to cease, a motion that was seconded – all this before Democrats placed Naifeh's name in nomination.

Democrat leader Odom was outraged and called for "fair elections" and blasted Republicans for trying to close the vote before he could put forward a Democratic nominee.

snip

After a brief discussion, Mumpower withdrew his objection and then gave the floor back to Naifeh. Then came the surprise. Odom and the Democrats nominated Republican Rep. Kent Williams for the position of Speaker of the House. All of the Democrats voted together for Williams.

Now when you think about it thats some diabolical shit the Dems pulled off and definitely not the kind of move you would normally associate with liberals. But there are some other juicier details out there about this as well.

From Wonkette:

AMAZING! Acting in a clandestine pact, the 49 Democrats in Tennessee’s House shocked Nashville just one hour ago by nominating and then voting en masse for Kent Williams (a moderate Republican from Elizabethton in Carter County) for Speaker to lead the 99-member chamber. The official Republican nominee, Jason Mumpower (a wingnut from Bristol in Sullivan County) was left speechless, clutching the family bible that he had brought in preparation for taking the Speaker’s oath of office.

This is HUGE! The R’s had promised bans on gay adoption and fostering, new concealed weapons laws, new constitutional limits on abortion, new anti-immigrant legislation, and mandating the teaching of “intelligent design” in public schools. Because the Tennessee House operates under a strict committee system and the Speaker appoints all committee chairs, though, it is unclear whether Republicans will be able to get any of these measures to the floor of the House. In addition, the re-election prospects for the long-serving and widely-respected Comptroller and Treasurer (both Democrats) is now much more promising; the General Assembly votes for these constitutional offices tomorrow.

Now keep in mind that this is the first time the Republicans have had a majority in the House in Tennessee in decades. This is Blago level shit! Man all I want to know is who came up with the plan so we can send his or her ass to Washington to take Harry Reid's place. Thats some change I could believe in!


Damn I love youtube!