Posted on 11/09/2006 10:52:26 AM PST by SmithL
NASHVILLE — State Sen. Mike Williams said today that he is considering a change in political affiliation from Republican to Independent.
If that happens, the lawmaker from Maynardville would hold the balance of partisan power in the state Senate. Tuesday’s elections left Republicans holding a one-seat advantage, 17-16.
Should Williams become an Independent, the margin would shift to 16 Republicans, 16 Democrats and one Independent.
Two years ago, Williams and Sen. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville, voted with Democrats to re-elect Democrat John Wilder as lieutenant governor. Williams said today he has talked with both Wilder and Senate Majority Leader Ron Ramsey about the Senate vote that will decide who is lieutenant governor in January — but has made no commitment to either man.
"My evaluation is just on the question of who would do the best for the people of the state," said Williams.
"I think I have always been independent-thinking," said Williams.
"I’ve heard that the (Republican) party is thinking of taking action against me if I do not vote the way they want," he said. "If I have to be independent to do what best for this state, I’ll do it."
And the hits just keep coming.
Check his freezer.
Electing Rino's will get you this.
We need to call our new movement "Primary Punishment" and its geared towards removing rinos from the GOP and taking back the conservative movement that got us in power in the first place.
Anything less will see more of these party jumpers and a more neutered GOP.
I recall after Jeffords jump making the suggestion that someone buy a truckload of horse manure and have it dumped outside his office door. I was even giong to pitch in, but alas, no one took me up on the issue. But if I were in Tenn, I'd make the same suggestion and would take photos.
Weren't they trying to oust Wilder and needed his vote?
I agree . . . but only in the districts where a conservative can win in the fall. As much as I despised the way Lincoln Chafee voted on most issues, I'd love to have his vote for Senate Majority Leader come January.
Sadly, in some districts, RINO's are the best we can get. However, there should be no excuse for us letting them remain in what should be conservative-held districts!
I don't see this as bad as some of you might. I remember when the Republicans helped keep Wilder his job when the Deomcrats were in the majority and wanted to replace him. Wilder has been Lt Gov for over 30 years. In TN, the Senate votes for one of its own as the Lt Gov.
Kick out all traitors. We really don't need them in any way, any longer. Shrink the big tent.
Good point. If we go back to 2000 and the unwillingness of the Senate Rs to punish Jeffords and/or VT for his defection, we can see a lot of the pattern of what led to the defeat.
You are right on. Shrink the big tent. Remove RINOs, Transnational Progressives, Liberaltarians, Arabists, Flat Earthers, and all other neo liberal vermin. Start from the conservative base and build from there. The tent will get as big as it is meant to be based on exclusivity. The result will be a hardened, loyal membership, unified in its mission. It may take 2 or 20 years, but we must keep the faith.
When Jeffords left, the balance of power automatically turned over to the Dems.
I'm not sure what kind of punishment the GOP Senate could have passed against Jeffords - short of egging his house or refusing to sit with him in the Senate dining room.
Had the GOP still held power after Jeffords' switch, then yes, I'd say punishment was in order.
I meant punish his district. Not give VT a dime. If he's gonna be your senator, fine but you won't get an ounce of pork.
I wonder why he isn't switching parties. After the 94 elections, there were a bunch of Democrats crossing the aisle in a hurry. Not so here. Perhaps he thinks voters would punish him if he went Democrat.
You want to get rid of RINOs?
Have you heard the expression, "The Republican Wing of the Republican Party?"
www.GOPwing.com
""A political party cannot be all things to all people. It must represent certain fundamental beliefs, which must not be compromised to political expediency, or simply to swell numbers..... And if there are those that cannot subscribe to these principals, then let them go their way."
- Ronald Reagan.
Ronaldus Maximus!
Much like his vote for John Bolton, as the repubs fell all over themselves to try and re-elect his liberal butt....
No thanks, if he was the deciding vote in the senate , he'd have dumped us in a heart beat.
That might be true. But if Chafee had been re-elected, Mitch McConnell would be the Majority Leader instead of Harry Reid. Think of what kind of difference that would make!
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