Ha! LOL! Williams is the Speaker of the House, Mumpower Outfoxed-updated

Everyone could use a good laugh and here it is, from the Tennessean:

Williams upsets House Speaker race

In an extraordinary move in the opening session of the state legislature this afternoon, Republican Kent Williams won speakership of the House, beating veteran Democrat Jimmy Naifeh and Republican leader Jason Mumpower, who was widely expected to get the post.

Williams has been administered the oath of office, and speaking from the well, says “it’s time to end the infighting and the bickering.” Boos came from the gallery.

Apparently the votes went 50 for Williams, 49 Mumpower. All the Democrats voted for Williams, and Williams voted for himself, thus, upsetting the Mumpower/ TNGOP deal.
Ha. Here is TN GOP chair, Robin Smith’s comment on all of this, via Kleinheider:

“Kent Williams has betrayed his constituents and the people of Carter County in breaking his pledge – his signed oath – to vote for the nominee of the Republican caucus for Speaker of the House. He lied, in a quest for personal power, in league with Democrat Speaker Jimmy Naifeh and House Minority Leader Gary Odom, in their desire to retain power despite the results of the 2008 elections.”

Going to be an interesting year. The GOP has been bragging since November about all the changes coming our way now that they are in the majority. Well, looks like they need to go back and learn how to play the game of Politics.

Story updated: Times Free Press has the story on the upset and gives the scurrilous details on Representative Gerald McCormick’s undignified and shameful conduct:

When state Rep. Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, approached the new Speaker, Rep. Williams warned him that if he used “the f-word,” he would be thrown out.

Rep. McCormick responded by telling the new Speaker that he is a “disgrace to the House. You are a disgrace to the House.”

Rep. McCormick denied using foul language to the Speaker Williams earlier.

Yeah, right. Even if McCormick did not use foul language, he has no business losing his cool and displaying a threatening demeanor toward another Representative.