Let’s face it, Tennessee Republicans, you got the political shaft. You had the 106th session of the General Assembly in your proverbial back pocket and then *poof* all your plans went up in a puff of back room shenanigans smoke.
Now you’re playing the victim – lamenting on how you’ve been betrayed by a RINO. And we’re not surprised because it’s what you guys do. I call it Trickle Down Victimization and conservatives in power do it better than anyone or anything else (especially governing). From President George Bush to the whatever conservative local talk radio host you listen to, you’re all about blaming others and presenting every issue in Us vs. Them terms. In other words, yours is the “Party of personal responsibility,” my patootie.
So no one should be surprised that after her Party got the political shellacking of her career, the messages sent by TN GOP Chair person Robin Smith, victim, who needs to be in total control and does not like to lose, went from the magnanimous post-election
“I think the Republican Party now is at a point in its life in maturity where we’re going to have to have regional messages…The party should not compromise its core ‘DNA’ of small government and lower taxes…but ought to allow for some deviation where politically necessary. We can’t just hang our hat on one social message”
to this week’s hostile
“Action will begin immediately to address the actions of Rep. Kent Williams…His commitment today was not to Republican Principles, but to the blind and shameless pursuit of personal power. He cast his vote for a Pro-Tax, Pro-Gay, Pro-Abortion, Anti-Gun Liberal Democrat to preside in leadership against all 49 of his Republican colleagues.”
We also shouldn’t be surprised by Rep. Kelsey’s call for Speaker Williams to resign while positioning the people of Carter County as victims. Or Rep. Campfield’s call for him to stay out of his angry and deceived face.
Because as the rest of the country moves on to a less divisive brand of politics and policy-making, you, my good Tennessee Republicans, still have that divide and conquer attitude of 1994. While we’ve gone to a place where governing, public policy, and compromise have become a priority, you’re still with the take no prisoners, win at all costs, my way or the highway mentality.
While some of your rank and file have come to terms with their anger (victim: Rep. Hawk’s sleeping patterns), even today, after you have had a few days to stew and simmer, you remain hostile and bitter. Maybe it will take a few more days until you are ready to capitalize on what is a rare opportunity and take Scott Dismuke’s advice to release the following statement:
While we are dissapointed [sic] with the results of today’s leadership elections, we are still committed to working to create opportunities for all Tennesseans at this critical time in our state.
We will work with Speaker Williams to make sure that all Tennesseans are proud of their elected officials, but more importantly, tackle the very tough issues facing our state.
At a time when Tennesseans are struggling to pay their electric bills, pay their mortgage, keep their jobs and put food on the table, we firmly believe that it is time to put people before politics.
There will be a time and place for the events of today to be dealt with, but right now, it is time to put politics to the side and start working together to ensure our government effectively works for all Tennesseans.
In other words, get over yourselves, check your egos at the Capitol door, and reconsider kicking Rep. Williams our of the your Republican club. Because if you don’t, you’ll force him further into the Democratic Party camp and the tenuous hold you have on the majority will slowly and painfully (for you) dissipate.
Be careful what you do in the name of revenge and while you’re still stinging from what has to be one of the more stunning political coups in Tennessee history.
Deep breaths, my friends. Deep breaths.
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