Robin Smith, Chairperson of the Tennessee Republican Party, issued a statement regarding the election of Republican Kent Williams:
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.
Here in the reality-based community, where the paper and digital record of the pledge lives, it’s clear that there was no betrayal and no broken pledge. The House Republicans just got bested. The full language of the pledge reads:
Republicans Committed to Voting for Republican House Officers
NASHVILLE – Together, as members of the House Republican Caucus, we are proud to announce our unified commitment to vote for a Republican for Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives.
We also commit to vote for a Republican Speaker Pro Tempore. This is yet another historic moment in a series of what has already been and what we are sure will continue to be historic events leading
to the Republican control of the Tennessee House.We are all honored and humbled by the trust Tennessee voters placed in us both individually, as representatives of our own districts, and collectively as a majority. Tennessee voters asked for change
by electing Republicans to lead, and Tennessee voters are ready for common sense to make a comeback in government. We take the responsibilities that come with being the majority party very seriously
and are ready to meet the challenges ahead.As a visual sign of our commitment, all 50 House Republicans have signed this document:
Rep. Kent Williams gets kicked out of the Republican Caucus in 3…2…1…or does he?
UPDATE: OK, the reality-based community must acknowledge that when Williams voted for Speaker Pro Tempore DeBerry, he broke his pledge.
