This story out of TN has cheered me up considerably.
Apparently Representative Kent Williams sold out conservative Tennessee voters and his own party when he stole the House Speaker’s chair at the last minute – with the help of Democrats with whom he has been secretly conspiring. And apparently the TN GOP decided not to take it lying down. From a resolution of their Executive Committee:
Whereas the supporters, voters and donors of the Tennessee Republican Party have a right to expect that, having collectively campaigned for and won a majority in the state House for the first time since 1868, both houses of the legislature would be lead by loyal Republican leadership; and
Whereas the evidence shows that Representative Kent Williams had been planning his betrayal for eight weeks and conspiring with Democrats to crown him Speaker in exchange for betraying his fellow Republican caucus members; and
Whereas Representative Kent Williams rewarded his Democratic allies with committee chairmanships, putting at risk the Republican agenda the majority of Tennessee voters voted for; and
Whereas Kent Williams’ actions and words provide indefensible evidence to the 30 written challenges questioning the Bona Fide status as a Republican; and is entitled to its constitutional right of Freedom of Association; and
Whereas the Tennessee Republican Party seeks to disassociate with Representative Kent Williams;
BE IT RESOLVED:
1. That state Representative Kent Williams of Carter County, Tennessee, be forever barred from seeking elective office in Tennessee on a Republican ballot; and
2. That the Tennessee Republican Party immediately request all media outlets in Tennessee to cease referring to Representative Kent Williams as a Republican.
3. That Kent Williams receive no support, endorsements, or financial backing by those affiliates of the Tennessee Republican Party.
Can they DO that?
Yes. As the resolution notes, the Republican Party enjoys the constitutionally protected right of Freedom of Association.
Hmmm…
Have the state parties in Pennsylvania and Maine – home to RINO (Republican In Name Only) sell-out Sens. Arlen Specter, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins – heard about this pithy little resolution out of Tennessee?
Maybe the GOP in every state should start disassociating themselves from Republican legislators who sell out conservative values, the voters, and the party that got them elected.
I can think of one state, in particular, in which at least one prominent Republican seems to be conspiring with Democrats to give “bi-partisan” support for tax hikes in the middle of a huge recession.
I’ll give you one guess which state – and which Senator – it is.
