Williams Will React Later To TNGOP Booting

By Kleinheider Posted on February 9, 2009 at 10:17 am

The Speaker is a very busy man:

This morning Williams was asked by NashvillePost.com about being removed from the GOP roster, to which he stated that he had not been informed of Smith’s decision and “right now I am concentrating on legislative work and getting ready for session tonight, there is much work that needs to be done here.” Williams then said that he would issue a statement on the matter later today.

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Tags: Kent Wiliams, Robin Smith, Speaker booted, TNGOP  

What The Williams Resolution Says

By Kleinheider Posted on at 9:36 am

Michael Silence hears things about the Kent Williams’ getting the boot document:

I’m told the resolution says Kent Williams is banned from ever running as a Republican, may not access funds from Republican organizations and notifies the news media that he is no longer to be referred to as a Republican.

That, of course, is the most important part. Republicans don’t want the casual voter to think that just because both Houses are led by elected Republicans that Republicans are responsible for what happens over the next two years.

In this down economy, the GOP still wants the option to run plausibly against the “do-nothing” Democratically-controlled House. That’s what this is about more than anything else.

SEE ALSO: Andy Sher

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Tags: Kent Wiliams, Robin Smith, Speaker booted, TNGOP  

Speaker Williams Comments On The (In)Actions Of The Ethics Committee

By Kleinheider Posted on January 28, 2009 at 4:46 pm

Williams, upon returning from the funeral of a fellow legislator’s wife (whose surname he did mispronounced shortly after becoming speaker), makes a statement on the “resolution” of the ethics complaint made against him by Rep. Brian Kelsey:

I am pleased that the Ethics Committee has completed its work and fully resolved this matter.

It is time to turn our undivided attention to the serious challenges which we face. There are serious issues before us and we need serious people to join together to address them.

We must get past the bickering and partisanship. The people of Tennessee expect and deserve our very best as we move forward to address these issues.

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Tags: Brian Kelsey, Kent Wiliams, sexual harassment, Susan Lynn  

Kent Williams Commits To Mumpower For Speaker Seven Days Before The Vote

By Kleinheider Posted on January 16, 2009 at 9:34 am

While at the same time seems to foreshadow the possibility of his eventual betrayal. From a radio interview:

Questioner: Are you on board with Jason Mumpower as Speaker of the House?

Williams: Yes, I’ve committed to Jason and I still plan to honor that commitment. I can’t foresee anything happening in the next seven days to change my mind but, um, in politics you never know what’s gonna happen.

(via BCM)

SEE ALSO: FOX 17

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Tags: Jason Mumpower, Kent Wiliams, Speaker election