Forget the Middle East for a moment, and think about Tennessee.\u00c2\u00a0 Do we want to be obstructionist, or do we want to work together to accomplish something positive?<\/p>\n
I’ll choose the latter — there’s enough war going on elsewhere.<\/p>\n
When the State Senate Republicans met yesterday, Ron Ramsey was elected Majority Leader (sans the vote of Mike Williams, who abstained) and Mark Norris was elected to the post of caucus chair over Randy McNally, chosen last year following the resignation of Jeff Miller.<\/p>\n
Williams’ abstention comes as no surprise, given the harsh words that have been exchanged thus far.\u00c2\u00a0 It seems that Ramsey would rule by intimidation and punishment, rather than respect and persuasion.\u00c2\u00a0 Williams’ response<\/a> (via the Chattanooga Times) is what I expected:<\/p>\n Sen. Williams appeared upset when asked by reporters about Sen. Ramsey\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s assertions in a personal letter to him that minority Democrats are trying to play him for a “patsy” as they seek to hold onto power despite the GOP\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s majority.<\/p>\n “I think in my 16 years of service here, I think a lot of things could be said about me. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think (any) person could ever say that I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m a patsy,” Sen. Williams said, citing his fight to oppose then-Republican Gov. Don Sundquist\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s proposed state income tax.<\/p>\n “I fought that in the best interests of the citizens of this state. … I spoke out on the Legislative Plaza when certain senators around were nowhere to be found. I think my record speaks that I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m anything but a patsy,” Sen. Williams said.<\/font><\/p><\/blockquote>\n I don’t disagree with Ramsey that we should have a Republican speaker, now going into the second consecutive Republican majority in that body… I’m just not certain he’s the right one.<\/p>\n With McNally free of other caucus responsibilities, he would be the superior choice.\u00c2\u00a0 McNally is unwavering in his principles, yet able to work with others to be productive and accomplish something for Tennessee.<\/p>\n I don’t want a do-nothing, obstructionist Senate.\u00c2\u00a0 I’m tired of the name-calling, petty partisan games. It’s time to elect a Speaker who might actually accomplish something productive, and the man for the job is Randy McNally.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Forget the Middle East for a moment, and think about Tennessee.\u00c2\u00a0 Do we want to be obstructionist, or do we want to work together to accomplish something positive? I’ll choose the latter — there’s enough war going on elsewhere. When … Continue reading