TN Politics: Speaker (boss hogg) Naifeh renominated, but House Democrats still split

The Knox News Sentinel ^ | 11/24/02 | Tom Sharp

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Naifeh renominated, but House Democrats still split

By TOM SHARP Associated Press Writer November 23, 2002

NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Jimmy Naifeh was renominated by the House Democratic Caucus to a record-tying seventh term as speaker on Saturday, but all was not sweetness and light among the House's majority party.

Naifeh was elected by acclamation when no one else was nominated. After the vote Rep. Frank Buck, a 30-year veteran of the House who had contemplated a run against Naifeh but decided against it, issued a broader challenge to the entire caucus.

"We were down to a 13 percent approval rating. We lost seats in a redistricting year. If that's not a wake-up call we must be deaf," Buck said. "If we don't correct the way we're going we won't have to worry about electing a majority leader next time, we'll be electing a minority leader. We can do better. The people of Tennessee deserve better."

Buck said the House leadership needs to change its image, calling for a more open decision-making process, particularly on financial matters.

"There's no reason bills can't be debated in the Finance Committee like they are everywhere else," Buck said. "We've spent too much time on the issue of tax reform and not enough on trying to make government more efficient."

If elected speaker on Jan. 14 when the General Assembly reconvenes, Naifeh would begin serving his seventh term, tying Ned McWherter for the longest serving stint in the office. nomination by Democrats, who hold a 54-45 advantage in the House, all but assures he will be elected.

But on a day when all of the candidates stressed the need for a united Democratic front, Naifeh was unhappy with Buck's remarks.

"I thought it was inappropriate and should not have been the forum he chose," Naifeh said. "To start the new members out on a negative note was completely inappropriate."

There are nine new members of the House Democratic Caucus.

Rep. Mark Maddox of Dresden, who was elected assistant majority leader, said he had no problem with Buck's plea for change.

"Every group needs a conscience," Maddox said. "That may be Representative Buck's role in this group. We should consider all the things he suggested. You don't have to be sick to get better."

In the race that was the most hotly contested, Rep. Kim McMillan of Clarksville defeated incumbent Majority Leader Gene Davidson of Adams by a vote of 29-23.

McMillan, who begins her fourth term in the House, said she believes the Democrats are in "desperate need of unity."

"We're on the edge of a new day, with a new governor," she said. "I'm ready to work with every member to get us back to where we were eight years ago, when we were one of the best managed states in the nation."

Forty-seven of the 54 caucus members signed a "unit rule" pledging to vote for the Democratic nominee on the floor when the organizational session begins. Two members were absent.

Other nominees:

_State Treasurer Steve Adams and Comptroller John Morgan.

_Caucus chairman, Randy Rinks of Savannah re-elected.

_Speaker Pro Tem, Lois DeBerry of Memphis re-nominated.

_Floor Leader, Rob Briley of Nashville re-elected.

_Whip, Kathryn Bowers of Memphis elected.

_Caucus Vice Chairman, Joe Armstrong re-elected.

_Caucus Treasurer, Tim Garrett of Goodlettsville.

_Caucus Secretary, Larry Turner of Memphis re-elected.

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IF you believe increased taxation or the income tax is DEAD I've some ocean front proptery to sell you in Saudia Arabia.