Speaker Williams Says He’s Still In The GOP Caucus, Challenges Mumpower To Poll Caucus
Posted on March 5, 2009 at 7:22 amDespite being barred from a caucus meeting yesterday and being thrown out of the Republican party last month, Speaker Kent Williams maintains he is still a member of the caucus and that the votes are not there to kick him out:
“I’m still in the caucus,” Speaker Williams said. “I’m still a Republican. I’m not voted out (of the caucus) yet, and I don’t think I will be.”
The speaker said Rep. Mumpower and other Republicans opposing him do not have a majority of the 49 GOP Caucus votes needed to oust him. He thinks there are maybe 12, 13 votes against him.
Last month, Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Robin Smith booted the speaker from the party.
Rep. Mumpower said dealing with Speaker Williams is an “issue we’re working on. If there (is) even one member (opposed), if it causes discontent within the caucus, it would be best if he did not attend. And there are more than a few members who are discontent with him, therefore I think it’s best that he doesn’t attend.”
He said “my mission is to have and to maintain a very united caucus, and that’s what we’re going to be about.” He said that will not be possible “if there are members who are discontent,” and he noted there “absolutely” are such members.
Caucus members will not get a vote on the matter, Rep. Mumpower said, noting it will be a leadership decision based on “what’s best for the caucus … my position is we should do whatever is necessary to maintain the utmost unity within the caucus.”
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One Responses to “Speaker Williams Says He’s Still In The GOP Caucus, Challenges Mumpower To Poll Caucus”
ie. I don’t have the votes to kick him out - so I’ll pull a Robin and kick him out myself.