Free Republic

NASHVILLE — Over the weekend, Republican National Chairman Michael Steele ventured into Tennessee House Speaker Kent Williams’ backyard in upper East Tennessee and pledged to oust Williams next year. The Kingsport Times-News quoted Steele as saying: “I got a bull’s eye right on his back and we’re taking him out.” Williams is the second-term legislator and Elizabethton restaurateur who stunned fellow Tennessee Republicans when he joined the House’s 49 Democrats in voting for himself for speaker Jan. 13 to defeat his own Republican Caucus’ nominee. For that, the Tennessee Republican Party declared he was no longer a member of the...

NASHVILLE — State Rep. Rob Briley has resigned as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, according to a statement issued today by House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh. Briley had earlier indicated he intended to remain in the leadership position, despite his arrest last weekend on charges of drunken driving, evading arrest, vandalism and lesser offenses. Briley, D-Nashville, had come under some pressure to resign the committee chair. Gov. Phil Bredesen yesterday joined those saying he should give up the seat. Briley was also removed as a member of a House study committee that will be reviewing the state’s DUI laws with...

GOP representative sees himself as underdog, but some colleagues think he's pigheaded partisan - NASHVILLE - During a House floor debate Thursday, a colleague informed Rep. Stacey Campfield that he had made himself "almost ineffective" and unable to represent his district. "I like you, but this is getting kind of old," said Rep. Mike Turner, D-Nashville, complaining that Campfield "can't pass a bill on your own" and has taken to improper floor interference with other legislators' bills "all the dadgum time." It was the latest example of escalating hostility between the combative Knoxville legislator, who presents himself as something of...