Blake P. Graves Resigns: Staffer Email Embroglio Costs A Man A Job
Posted on June 17, 2009 at 2:41 pmUPDATE: Director of Legislative Administration Connie Ridley tells Post Politics that Graves was not fired or dismissed. A former intern, Graves agreed to stay on as a temporary hourly legislative employee to help out in offices that needed it. Graves indicated to Ridley that he would be leaving the legislature in that capacity to pursue full-time work.
Jeff Woods reveals that the Democratic legislative staff member who sent an email making fun of several minority groups has been dismissed by the House Speaker:
According to sources, House Speaker Kent Williams, acting at the request of Democratic leaders, already has dismissed the intern, who has been identified as Blake Graves who was working in the office of Rep. Karen Camper, D-Memphis.
“It was offensive to Asians,” says our source, just to mention one of the pictures. Democrats think they can claim the upper hand in this little contretemps because their staffer has been fired, unlike the Republican offender, Sherri Goforth, who was merely reprimanded.
The graphics contained in the emails are available for viewing here. The firing of Graves comes only days after the revelation that a Republican staffer, Sherri Goforth, had sent out a racially inflammatory email about President Barack Obama.
Although Graves has spent his tenure in the legislature working for Democratic legislators Reps. Joe Towns and Barbara Camper, he was honored in a resolution earlier this year recognizing his affiliation with the College Republicans.
A legislative intern from January until April of this year, Graves became a “Temporary Legislative Assistant” just last month making him a state employee.
Immediately after Graves sent the offending email on Monday (the very same day the Goforth email hit the blogs), he sent a follow up email to the list of both Democratic and Republican staffers the email was sent to.
“Everyone, please excuse that e-mail I sent, I totally missed the words used in it. So please accept my apologies for that e-mail. Nonetheless, have a great Monday!” said Graves to his list of recipients.
SEE ALSO:
Liberadio
Braisted
Cup Of Joe
Left Wing Cracker
Bredesen Signs Guns In Parks
Posted on June 12, 2009 at 5:20 pmAs reported by the Lebanon Democrat’s J.R. Lind on Twitter, Gov. Phil Bredesen has signed a bill that many feared he would veto.
Rep. Frank Niceley reported to have had a deal with the Bredesen administration to “clean up some language” in the bill to avoid a veto in exchange for consideration on other gun bills.
That deal fell through when Bredesen stated in a press conference that he had made no deal.
The Senate sponsor, Sen. Mae Beavers, then refused to recall the bill making the Niceley recall essentially null and void.
Bredesen had til midnight tonight to sign the legislation or it would become law without his signature and he did so late today.
However, his message to Speaker Kent Williams reveals he is not completely happy about the legislation.
“I continue to have concerns about the inclusion of local parks in this bill. The suggestion made by the sponsor to remove these local parks was good, and I’m sorry he withdrew it.
I do want to urge local governments to exercise the opt-out provisions of this bill to remove parks from its effect where they are located close to schools and other places where large numbers of children gather,” Bredesen said in the letter.
SEE ALSO:
Richard Locker
Andy Sher
AP
Speaker Williams Responds To RNC Chairman
Posted on May 26, 2009 at 2:52 pmOver the weekend, Michael Steele attacked Speaker Kent Williams. Now Kent Williams strikes back:
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele has publicly stated that he is going to take me out. He came in from Washington to speak in Kingsport, Tennessee. I believe it was his first trip here ever. I was not present when he made his remarks and he has had no contact with me. I have never met the gentleman. Still, I have been asked by the press for comments on his remarks.
Based on a Kingsport Times-News online poll it does not appear that his remarks resonate with the people here in Tennessee, or at least in the area where he made his remarks. The poll showed that 72% of the people disagreed with Mr. Steele’s remarks about me. Perhaps this is because of my actual performance on the job.
I have made it my goal to move past all the rhetoric and distractions and focus on issues that are important to the people of Tennessee. I have remained true to the core principles of the Republican Party.
I own a small business and as reported in the Tennessean earlier this year I have a 100% voting record with the National Federation of Independent Businesses. I am a supporter of Second Amendment Rights to bear arms. Under my tenure as Speaker, I have guided to the House floor legislation which has allowed legally permitted handgun owners to carry their guns in additional areas for their self-protection.
I am a supporter of SJR 127, the pro-life constitutional amendment. We have moved to the floor of the House and passed for the first time ever Senate Joint Resolution 127 allowing the people to vote on a pro-life amendment to our constitution. Under our constitution it takes a second vote by another General Assembly to actually put the proposed amendment on the ballot for a vote by the people. I hope to be here in the next General Assembly to cast another vote for this resolution.
I do not want government involved in all aspects of our citizens’ lives. I am a proponent of a small, efficient government. I believe in balanced budgets, where we live within our means. I believe in working to improve our schools, bringing in and keeping good jobs and keeping the government off the backs of working families.
Perhaps, it is because of my record, my holding to these core principles that keep the people here in Tennessee supportive of me and not the politics of Washington telling them to think otherwise.
This is a challenging time in our history. I will not let rhetoric and outside distractions keep me from the work we have at hand. The people of Tennessee expect and deserve our very best as we move our state forward.
Let’s all work together to address the challenges before us.
Naifeh To Go Heeled In Legislature If Permit Holder Ban Is Lifted
Posted on May 12, 2009 at 6:59 amLt. Governor Ron Ramsey and Speaker Kent Williams have the authority to allow lawful handgun permit holders to bring guns into Legislative Plaza. If they do lift the ban, Speaker Emeritus Naifeh will be strapped as well, just in case tax protesters start getting any ideas:
“According to the NRA, handgun permit holders are more responsible with their firearms than off-duty police officers,” [Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey] said. “I believe that.”
If the ban on guns in the Legislative Plaza is lifted, he said, 220,000 trained and responsible permit holders would have the right to bring their guns in, but 6 million other Tennesseans would still be banned.The two speakers would have to agree to overturn the ban imposed by Naifeh and Wilder. Naifeh said he hopes it will remain in place.
“I’d hate to think of people having guns up here in ‘02,” he said, referring to mass protests when the Legislature considered a state income tax in 2002.
“If they do (allow guns), I guess I’ll have to pack mine,” said Naifeh, one of 34 state legislators who are listed as holding handgun carry permits.
SEE ALSO: Andy Sher
Speaker Williams Intends To Be Around Awhile
Posted on March 29, 2009 at 1:42 pmThe Speaker of the House talks about the legislature and his reelection plans at a Carter County legislative breakfast:
Williams, who afterward was stripped of his party affiliation by Tennessee Republican Party Chairwoman Robin Smith, did not mention Mumpower, whose seat at the front table remained vacant.
“I know I’m going to have some challenges,” Williams said. “I’ve had a couple of problems with my own party, but we’re getting those ironed out. We just have a small minority, I think, here in Carter County that would rather see someone out of Nashville tell us what to do in Carter County than to have our own down there. But like I said, that’s a small minority, and I think in 2010 in November we’ll show what a small minority that is.”
Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey of Blountville, who supported Mumpower, told the crowd he is working well with Williams.
“The speaker of the House and the speaker of the Senate have to work together — period,” Ramsey said after getting a partial standing ovation.
SEE ALSO:
Commentary on the Mumpower noshow
Campfield On Kent
Posted on March 11, 2009 at 1:45 pmThe Rep. on the vote to confirm Speaker Williams as a member of the Republican caucus:
“Kent was trying to drive a wedge in our caucus. It got to the point where people who hated him just said, ‘Let him in because we’re not able to talk about what we’re doing.’ I don’t think anybody spoke glowingly of him the whole time. Almost every single member of the caucus spoke and I never heard anything glowing or loving about him. All I heard was, ‘He’s dividing our caucus and he’s tearing us apart. We need to move forward and talk about our agenda.’ Hopefully, now we’re back to being 49 and Kent.”
More at Campfield’s own place.
The Margin Of Williams Caucus Victory
Posted on at 1:16 pmThe vote to affirm Speaker Kent Williams as a member of the state House GOP caucus wasn’t close:
But House Republican Caucus Chairman Glen Casada said a poll of the membership on Monday night revealed that an “overwhelming majority” of House Republicans preferred to keep Williams as a member.
“I was surprised a little bit,” said Casada, of Franklin. “But I think in the membership’s mind this is a way to demonstrate that we are moving on and that we are going to solve the problems of unemployment and the budgets shortfall.
Casada said the reason the decision had not been made public previously is because it was considered an internal issue.
“It’s almost a non-issue,” he said. “He’s in, now let’s quit talking about it and move on.”
Robin Smith Tells You Where You Can File That Caucus Vote
Posted on at 12:17 pmThe TNGOP chair that threw Rep. Kent Williams out of the Republican Party reacts to the vote of the state House GOP caucus confirming Williams as a member of that caucus:
From the party perspective, she said, “Kent Williams became the Democratic nominee on Jan.13″ and “bargained away” his right to be considered a Republican.
Smith said she had not discussed the matter with Mumpower. She questioned whether Williams’ membership in the caucus would include support for re-election, given the caucus traditionally focuses on re-election of incumbent members.
On that point, Mumpower was reasonably clear. The answer is no.
“We will support every Republican nominee on the ballot,” he said. “You interpret that how you want.”
A Republican In The Legislature Only: House GOP Votes To Keep Williams
Posted on at 10:19 amDespite being expelled from the Tennessee Republican Party by its chairwoman Robin Smith back in January, Tom Humphrey reports that Speaker Kent Williams is a Republican — at least as far as the House GOP Caucus is concerned.
Since going back on his promise to vote for Jason Mumpower for house speaker and instead joining with 49 House Democrats to elect himself speaker, Williams status as a Republican has been a matter of some debate.
While he was allowed into an open caucus meeting in February, he has been subsequently turned away from such caucus meetings this month. Republican Leader Jason Mumpower as well as Caucus Chair Glen Casada have previously asserted that they had the power to ban Williams from the caucus without the benefit of a vote.
But on Monday night there was a vote — and Kent Williams prevailed:
“I think the sentiment is to allow Kent to come into the meetings,” he said during a brief interview today. Mumpower said he assumes that will include the right to vote on caucus matters.
Mumpower refused to provide any details of the vote, but other Republican legislators say a substantial majority favored Williams’ continued presence at caucus meetings.
“I don’t want to betry the confidence of caucus members,” said Mumpower in declining to give vote totals.
He’s Gonna Come Back Tomorrow And The Next Day And The Next Day
Posted on March 8, 2009 at 7:51 pmSpeaker Kent Williams makes clear his intention to caucus with the Republican Party in the state House - whether they like it or not:
Williams also said he intends to go to future House GOP Caucus meetings whether Casada and Mumpower like it or not.
“I’ll go if I know when it is. They are not really telling me when the caucus meetings are,” Williams said. “We’ve got Mumpower and Casada and (Tennessee Republican Party Chairwoman) Robin Smith calling all the shots for those two. That’s why we needed a new direction in (House speaker) leadership.”
Williams said he’s been invited “several times” to caucus with House Democrats but admitted he would not feel comfortable in their meetings.
Regardless of how he’s being treated by House Republicans, Williams said he remains on board with supporting GOP-advocated measures such as restricting abortion and expanding rights for gun permit holders.
“I will vote for what’s best for the people of Carter County and people of Tennessee,” he said.
Williams also reacted to Smith’s recent statement at a Bedford County GOP Lincoln Day dinner that he “is probably more conservative” than she is. Smith made the decision to kick Williams out of the Tennessee Republican Party.
“If I’m more conservative than her, how come I’m not a Republican?” Williams asked.
Also in the article, Rep. Joe McCord makes clear that Williams will be welcome in his rural Republican caucus.
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.”
MORE: Jeff Woods
Speaker Kent Williams Barred From GOP Caucus Meeting
Posted on March 4, 2009 at 5:04 pmRobin Smith had no compunction about kicking the Speaker out of the party but before today the House GOP Caucus had balked at official action.
Now it would seem the House Republicans are on their way to kicking the Speaker of the House out of their caucus:
House Speaker Kent Williams was barred from a Republican Caucus meeting Wednesday and House Republican Leader Jason Mumpower said he should stay away permanently.
Williams said he believes a majority of Republican representatives would favor allowing him to caucus with them even though state Republican Chairman Robin Smith has declared he is no longer considered a Republican.
But Mumpower said he and House Republican Chairman Glen Casada could decide to ban Williams from the caucus without a vote.
Mumpower said that he believes that “if even one member” of the House Republican Caucus opposes Williams attendance, Williams should stay away.
“If it causes dissent within the caucus, then it’s best if he did not attend - and there are more than a few members who are discontent with him attending,” said Mumpower.
MORE:
Stacey Campfield
Andy Sher
PREVIOUSLY:
Republican caucus can’t repeat state party’s mistake on Williams
What’s Robin Got To Do With It?
One Day, And This Day May Never Come, We’re Gonna Call On You To Break Some Ties
Posted on March 2, 2009 at 10:51 amRep. Mike Turner on what the House Democratic Caucus expects from the Carter County Republican Speaker:
“Our goal is to have (voting) ties. The only person who can break ties at this time: we put him in the position, My job is to tell (Speaker Kent Williams) who put him there. I’m not his best friend. Gary Odom has a lot of clout with the Speaker (Williams) as does Speaker Jimmy Naifeh. Which is coming from the extremes on our side. One has one ear; the other one’s got the other. My job is to tell the Speaker (Williams) when he has irritated us on something. They kicked him out of the Republican party. They have not kicked him out of the Republican caucus. All that stuff is in a flux. We don’t know if he’ll be real active, going around trying to break ties. if he is that could cause real problems. Hopefully, on the real regressive stuff we can hold ‘em to three-three, five-five, or six-six on the various committees.
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The People Pleaser
Posted on February 27, 2009 at 7:27 amRichard Locker has more on Speaker Kent Williams’ apology for slavery:
“He was so moved by his visit to Slave Haven and the hiding places of the slaves, seeing some of the apparatus that was used, the copies of advertisements for the sale of slaves and rewards for runaways,” said Rep. G.A. Hardaway, D-Memphis. He helped arrange the visit to introduce the new speaker to the city.
“He left there and went to the Civil Rights Museum and met with its community board. He issued a personal apology — not as the House speaker — for the transgressions against the black race, for not just slavery but for the oppression that followed. He got a standing ovation.”
(FT: JW)
Odom In The Wind After Colleagues Question His Role In Williams Coup
Posted on February 26, 2009 at 12:06 pmJeff Woods reports:
House Democratic leader Gary Odom, who would normally break an arm to jump in front of a camera, failed to show today for his party caucus’ weekly news conference. He had an appointment that he just had to keep, his top minion, Skip Cauthorn, told the press.
PREVIOUSLY:
Odom’s role questioned
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Odom’s Role In Williams Speakermaking Questioned
Posted on February 25, 2009 at 2:33 pmBy his colleagues in the House:
Rep. Mike Turner, the House Democratic Caucus Chairman, and Rep. John Litz of Morristown sat down with reporters to give a new timeline, one that leaves Odom almost completely out of the picture. In this version, Litz begins asking around about a Republican candidate who could play the foil to Rep. Jason Mumpower. By the second week of December, Williams comes to Litz to see if the Democrats can deliver, but Litz only tells “Speaker Naifeh and one other individual that day,” according to a timeline he released.
Odom, who says Naifeh was out of the loop, is mentioned once in Litz’s timeline: The two speak during a caucus meeting, during which Odom “informed me that he had spoken to Rep. Williams and mentioned the Speakership to him around Thanksgiving.” Litz says at that point he and Naifeh decided to keep the Williams Plan quiet until the day of the vote.
Turner said in today’s interview that Litz’s timeline was not meant to contradict Odom, but it’s obvious that House Democrats are quickly coming to the defense of Naifeh, and at the expense of Odom.
Is this the first shot across the bow in that attempted coup we’ve heard about recently?
UPDATE: Much more from Woods.
Robin Smith: “Kent Williams Is Not A Moderate”
Posted on February 24, 2009 at 9:03 amTNGOP Chairwoman Robin Smith on the Speaker of the state House:
“Kent Williams is not a moderate. There’s a lot of people who want to make this story about the conservative chairman of the Republican Party kicking out a moderate. He’s probably more conservative than I am. He is very pro-life. Very pro-family.
But the sad thing was when our Republican caucus in the House came together, and the Democratic caucus came together in their separate caucus, Kent Williams caucused with the Republicans and out of 50 Republicans their was one candidate who ran for Speaker — his name was Jason Mumpower. All fifty votes went for Jason Mumpower.
To Be Determined
Posted on February 22, 2009 at 7:40 pmTom Humphrey discusses Speaker Kent Williams status as a state House Republican Caucus member:
Meanwhile, House Speaker Kent Williams last week went to a House Republican Caucus meeting even though he has been more or less officially banished from the GOP by state Republican Chairman Robin Smith.
“I haven’t been voted out of the caucus yet,” said Williams, adding that his presence was tolerated though some members seemed a bit disconcerted.
The House Republican Caucus chairman, Rep. Glen Casada, says it is “to be determined” whether Williams will be allowed to meet with Republicans in the future. You can figure that there will be some tension over the subject within Republican ranks.
So you’ll have some continuing Republican-versus-Republican tension. One faction wants to get along with Williams while another does not and still others are ambivalent.
SEE ALSO: David Oatney
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