Sir, I Believe You Have My Stapler

14 Responses to “Sir, I Believe You Have My Stapler”

1. Tom Paine writes
   January 31st, 2009 1:55 pm

   LOL, the three week transition period was set in place by the legislative leadership months ago, when they thought Jason Mumpower had the leadership post sewn up.

   Stacey’s just mad because he looked in the coat closet of his office and found it flooded with sewage (and Kent Williams wants to charge him $1,600/month for rent!).

2. Mike Samoose writes
   January 31st, 2009 3:17 pm

   I have watched this little drama play out over the last several weeks. While I am no expert on Tennessee State Politics I do have a few observations. Some of which come first hand others by virtue of converstaions I have had with partisans on both sides of the isle.

   1) Rep. Mumpower and the republicans did not do all they could do to insure their legislative victory on Jan 13th. Sure hind sight is 20/20 but to not have experienced legislators at the hip of every freshman on the legislative floor on that fateful day seems to be a no brainer. While the dems claim they were going to do anything to get to a recess; handing it to them on a silver platter by virtue of a freshman mistake seems to show a lack of discipline. The dems were prepared to walk out so they could recess and inform their caucus of their grand plan. If the dems wanted power so bad as to walk out the republicans the republicans should have made sure they did just that and let the media report it as such.

   2) House dems are ruthless. The fact that all 49 dems voted for a republican speaker in an effort to hold on to some form of power is a testimony to their arrogance. However arrogant and ruthless the dems are they are much better and more willing to play the games neccessary to win. The republicans don’t understand this concept of winning and losing in the legislature.

   3) Kent Williams is a fool. However he got to be speaker is of no consequence except for the fact he lied and adimitted as such after he achieved power. Some will say all is fair in love and politices. Or that all politicians lie so what the hell. Or better still the republicans are just mad. All of which may be true but they don’t excuse the behavior of man who has neither the common sense, education or experience to know right from wrong. The dems could have done better and could have hardly done worse in choosing somebody to be Speaker who is so inept. Before everybody jumps to Kent Williams defense about how he got the prize remember anybody could have lied to be speaker but only one legislator did.

   4) Finally, the fact the dems won the latest little turf battle by securing additional office space and additional staff at the expense of the republicans ego and the tax payers wallet is of no real consequence sense the goal is power and punishment. The dems are determined to punish the republicans for stealing their “House” in the Nov. elections; or at the very least make life difficult.

   Prediction: Every time the dems rub the republicans nose in the fact they are getting out manuvered it raises the ante on the next round. The republicans may soon get tired of the role of only getting crumbs from Kent Williams and the dems. The republicans have a choice, they can continue to receive their crumbs from their “benevolent speaker” or they can find the will and discipline to be as ruthless as their democratic counterparts. I predict the former. Either way this session won’t lack for drama or intrigue.

3. LeftWingCracker writes
   January 31st, 2009 5:40 pm

   So, half the chairmanships and control of Calendar & Rules is “crumbs”? it’s a 50-49 split, dude, not 60-39.

   Otherwise, you make good points about the ineptitude of the House Republican leadership in preparing for what was not a glittering mandate, but a fragile and delicate balance.

   Of course, these are people who wouldn’t understand the terms “nuance”, “delicate” or “balance” if you presented themwith copies of Webster’s.

4. thetruth writes
   January 31st, 2009 6:32 pm

   Rental space (Campfield style) shit filled basement, faulty wiring, and threats from the big bad rep. He needs to quit gripping and take care of his own affairs… this guy is a joke.

5. The Avenger writes
   January 31st, 2009 7:01 pm

   As far as the Terri Lynn Weaver freshman mistake goes, here are the facts. On the first day, all freshmen sit in the seat of the legislator they replaced. Rep. Weaver was seated surrounded by Dems. There is a vote counter on the speaker’s desk so he can see where the totals are going before the lock-out button is pushed. Rep. Weaver had her hand up in the affirmative while trying to change her vote from red to green before it was called. Normally, this is respected on the floor. But not that day.

   Every slight, injury, and affront the Dems and Speaker Williams give to the Republicans will result in just one thing— A stonger GOP Majority and GOP VICTORY 2010!!!! Book it!

6. bridgett writes
   January 31st, 2009 8:24 pm

   When Tennessee’s economy is melting down, these jerks are arguing over vanity footage? Really? Wow.

7. ACLU writes
   February 1st, 2009 6:46 am

   I know, Why dont the Democrats do what is right and share! They should be willing to take pay cuts if they are not doing the work. So much for the working man or woman.

8. Um, no writes
   February 1st, 2009 8:00 am

   That is bass ackwards! It’s the Dems who have been waiting to hear WHEN they are going to get kicked out of their offices. We JUST NOW unpacked because the Republicans couldn’t decide if they wanted to come down to the Legislative Plaza. And, really, I don’t blame them. The War Memorial Building is nicer and quieter. And one question, when are you people going to stop listening to Campfield? IG-MO!

9. The Rep. writes
   February 1st, 2009 10:39 am

   Um, no,

   Sorry, Repubs wanted to move. Dem leaders, Oldum and Williams decided to stay where they are and to keep their staff at a higher rate of pay. Just ask them.

   Do you really think people will belive Republicans want their staff to recieve less pay for twice the work in smaller offices? That they want Democrat frosh legislators to have one on one staffer while their own members get short changed?

   That is Democrat cover BS.

10. Judicious1 writes
    February 1st, 2009 1:49 pm

    If the Rep. is Stacey Campfield, which it usually is, then he needs to do two things: one, stop writing on blogs because you show everyone how ignorant you are and specifically, your inability to spell. Second, if the depth of your legislative capacity is to gripe about staff and offices on a Nashville blog, then you need to give your office to someone who might do some good for the people of Knoxville. Oh, and stop blogging and go clean up your shit.

11. ACLU writes
    February 1st, 2009 2:46 pm

    Right out of the liberal Democrat playbook. When faced with facts and issues just attack the messenger instead of the problem.

12. ACLU writes
    February 1st, 2009 2:48 pm

    Why cant the Democrats just do what is right for the staff? All of them.

13. Veer leftie writes
    February 1st, 2009 3:15 pm

    Actally the Republican staffers do have grounds for a law suit since it is a fact they work for 2 or 3 members for less pay then the Dem staffers who all work for just one Dem member each for more money.

    Why the Dems have allowed this to go on for years against the Republicans was just asking for trouble. Its not fair to the constitants or the staffers who have to work for 3 members.

    In spite of all the roadblocks we the dems put in their way, the GOP is still breathing down our necks.

14. Mickey writes
    February 1st, 2009 4:08 pm

    When is the legislation out of session so we can send the Rep some $$$ ? ? ? ?