Williams To Get The Boot In Twenty
Posted on February 9, 2009 at 9:39 amThe TNGOP chair has notified the members of her state executive committee as to her decision regarding the challenge to Speaker Kent Williams’ status as a Republican. From the desk of Robin Smith:
Members of the State Executive Committee:
As you know, I have announced that I will be making the results of my deliberations on the Williams matter public today.
It is my first duty as Chairman to keep you informed of the activities of the TRP and wanted you to know the result I will announce before it is made public.
I have reviewed documentation presented by members of the Legislature, members of this Committee and Mr. Williams’ comments, both public and private, in the course of coming to this decision. It has been my intention to move deliberately to gain an idea of the course Mr. Williams intends to take. With you, I have watched his actions.
We have watched during the last 28 days to see if Kent Williams would assign the 13 Committee Chairmanships to the Republican Majority. He did not.
We watched to see how Rep. Williams would assign office space and staff to the Republican Majority. He has crammed 49 of his colleagues in 46 offices.
We have watched Rep. Williams maintain the same wage practices with Democrat staff earning more than the Republican staff, even as democrat staffers are assigned to fewer representatives.
We have learned that Mr. Williams has met with Governor Bredesen as the “Republican Representative” on the critical issue of the budget. Mr. Williams has withheld all of this information from the Republican Caucus encumbering their policy statements and decisions.
We have been repeatedly informed that Rep. Williams refuses to caucus with the Republicans.
We requested that members of the Caucus provide the TRP with specific examples of assistance that Rep. Williams has given to our candidates, caucus or party. None could.
So it is with regret that I inform you of my decision to remove Kent Williams’ status as a bona fide Republican. In the end, I must do what I believe to be right in this matter and not just what might be the politically or strategically expedient response. The principles we value must be placed above mere political calculation.
With this decision, we send a message that Tennessee Republicans expect better. Our party is not the tool to achieve personal power. The grassroots members who work so hard will not have their dedication sold to the highest bidder. Ours will be the Party of principle standing on integrity and honor.
It is now time to move forward. My staff and I are already out recruiting candidates, raising money and preparing for 2010. Next year we will elect a Republican governor and strengthen our majority in the legislature. I am honored to have you along on our journey.
Sincerely,
Robin T. Smith
Chairman
Tennessee Republican Party
SEE ALSO: The Smith family got the letter as well.
UPDATES:
Humphrey with a report on the official booting
Andy Sher on the case as well
John Scott reacts
Joe White
Comments
12 Responses to “Williams To Get The Boot In Twenty”
Good for you Robin.
“Our party is not the tool to achieve personal power.”
Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
So lets point out the untruths in her letter. When the Republicans had the majority under Ben Atchely they did not have the majority of Senate chairmanships. Also under Kent’s committee arangement the Republican still have a majority of the vote with his being a tie breaker.
True Kent could have reassigned the offices but in his defense he’s say’s he’s trying to save money, when the senate was taken by Republicans they billed the taxpayer $20 million to make the transition.
The unfair wage practices should be taken to court.
Kent was kicked out of the caucus meetings following his election and he has not been invited back.
“Specific examples of help to caucus, party, or members.” What a crock! They ran against him, why not punish Stacey Campfield or Brian Kelsey? And Kent did give money and support to Ran Ledbetter of Knoxville who is a lifelong Republican. Brian Kelsey was calling people up during the primary asking them not to run against a candidate the party liked better. BS!!!
Robin is stuck on stupid.
Devon,
Williams got involved in Campfield’s primary first.
Gladly, “He’s gone boys!”
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“He has crammed 49 of his colleagues in 46 offices.”
LOL!!!!!
Maybe they can put up some of those nice burlap partitions with hanging files and cork boards so they can pin up family photos and such.
While they’re at it, have Mumpower put some coffee on
then remind him that Jeanne Richardson needs her feet rubbed.
“While they’re at it, have Mumpower put some coffee on
then remind him that Jeanne Richardson needs her feet rubbed.”
THAT’S hilarious, and I know she would love it, Captain!
cool pics