Posted on 01/09/2007 10:57:24 AM PST by Brian Mosely
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Republican Ron Ramsey has been elected speaker of the Tennessee Senate, defeating Democrat John Wilder who has been speaker since 1971.
BULLETIN
Lawmakers convene 105th General Assembly
Eds: LEDES with Ramey elected speaker. Will be LED.
With BC-TN-XGR--House Leadership
AP Photos
By LUCAS L. JOHNSON II
Associated Press Writer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Republicans seized control of the Senate speakership and the lieutenant governor title that goes with it Tuesday when a Democrat cast her ballot for Sen. Ron Ramsey.
The vote rejected another term for 85-year-old Sen. John Wilder, D-Mason, who has been speaker since 1971 and is the longest-serving presiding officer of a legislative chamber in modern U.S. history, according to researchers at the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Ramsey, R-Blountville, was elected 18-15 with the votes of all 17 Republicans and Sen. Rosalind Kurita, D-Clarksville.
Two years ago, two Republicans voted with Democrats to thwart the same 17-16 Republican advantage and retain Wilder as speaker.
Wilder named one of those senators — Republican Sen. Mike Williams — Senate speaker pro tempore after he made the switch. But Williams cast his ballot for Ramsey on Tuesday.
Guess the old man forgot how to count.
Speaking of TN Republicans - once again...
Would someone please get Sen. Thompson out of hollywood and on the '08 campaign trail where he belongs?
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
So, how did they convince Mike Williams to do the right thing?
Watershed event in TN today. First TN GOP Senate Speaker (Lieutenant-Governor) in 138 years (1869). The RINO Mike Williams voted for the new Lt Gov. Ramsey and a Dem, Rosalind Kurita (early on, a candidate for the US Senate against Junior), did, too, in a surprise.
It would be interesting to find out whether Kurita voted for Ramsey after the 17 Republicans had already cast votes for him (assuring his victory) or whether she went out on a limb and cast what could have been the deciding vote for Ramsey.
Rejoice!!!!!!
The snap reports don't make it particularly clear. They claim hers was the "deciding" vote, but if Williams had already voted, hers was not needed. It's hard to tell if she was the 17th or 18th vote.
Awesome. Hopefully, the GOP can maintain its hold the state seante by 2011, so fair redistricting maps could be drawn for a change. If it does happen, then bye-bye Bart Gordon.
I'm starting a draft Sen. Fred Thompson for President campaign!
| FRED THOMPSON FOR PRESIDENT
|
I don't know, I'm not sure how much she resents it. I always thought that had she been the nominee, especially how this election turned out to be nationally, she could've beaten Corker. Unless she's planning a party switch or getting paid off with a committee chair, this vote probably won't do herself any favors.
There's already too many Dems in GOP-leaning seats as it is, so I don't see how we don't maintain control of that body (and we should get the House by then, too). We should be able to draw a 7-2 GOP majority at the US House level (aside from Nashville-5 (my district) & Memphis-9).
And I'll volunteer to help with that one. Thompson is the man!!!!!!
Great news today in Tennessee.
I'd already say hers is a GOP district. She beat a freshman Republican incumbent, Carol Rice, in 1996 (at the time of the election, we had a 17-16 majority because of 2 party switches in '95, but lost 2 seats at that election).
Any idea about how to convince him to run?
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