Tennessee Republicans ousted the new House speaker from their party Monday, giving up their first chance in 150 years to control the entire Legislature, instead choosing to punish him for banding with Democrats to win his seat.
What is going on is simply a matter of party loyalty. How far do you go in maintaining the integrity of those who "brung you to the dance." My mentor and hero, Wendell Judd always stressed that you remember those who helped you. My father, a political worker for decades put it more succinctly, "Always remember that you have to deal with the same people going up the ladder when you are going down the ladder and those people have long memories."
A little more detail on the story:
Kent Williams was the first Republican speaker in the state in 40 years. But party loyalists were angered that he snapped up the top position by joining all 49 Democrats in January to beat GOP nominee and House Republican Jason Mumpower by one vote.
Who says that one vote doesn't count? Recent history of our own local party has clearly demonstrated that when we elected a party leader by one vote back in 2004, an event that left many bitter and divided.
The State Party Chair put it in perspective:
State GOP Chairwoman Robin Smith brushed aside questions about losing control, saying the decision to oust Williams was driven by principles and rules.
"You can call it 49-49, Williams," said Smith, who acted after the party's top leaders last week approved a resolution to oust the speaker.
"The politically expedient thing to do would be to overlook whatever he's done," Smith said. "If we claim to stand for something, and we continue to look the other way when people behave in such a manner, it really negates all that we stand for."
Wow, it takes a lot of courage to stand on principle. Loyalty has been ingrained in the fabric of many institutions. It is necessary, it is vital for long term success. It is easy to take the low road sometimes, to pretend that something didn't happen. To quote Edmund Burke: "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
My hat is off the GOP in Tennessee, even if you do take a 'hit' for it, I admire your tenacity in standing up for what you believe in!
