GOP lawmaker passes on vote for party speaker

By Andy Sher, Chattanooga Times Free Press
December 12, 2006

NASHVILLE — A Republican lawmaker who could decide which party controls the state Senate took no position Monday as fellow Republicans nominated Senate Majority Leader Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, as their nominee for speaker.

"It means that I’ve not made up my mind yet," Sen. Mike Williams, R-Maynardville, said later. "This is not about one party. It’s not about one person. It’s about what’s in the best interests of the state of Tennessee."

Sen. Williams has said he will decide before Jan. 9, when the Senate convenes, whether he will support Sen. Ramsey or Democratic Speaker John Wilder for the post, which carries the title of lieutenant governor. Republicans have a 17-16 majority in the 33-member chamber. When the Republican Caucus met Monday, 14 members voted yes for Sen. Ramsey, 51, who hopes to defeat Lt. Gov. Wilder, 85, in his quest for aa 19th19th term as speaker. Sen. Wil- liams passed on the nomination.

Sens.-elect Bo Watson, RHixson, and Dewayne Bunch, R-Cleveland, were absent from the meeting because of work conflicts, other senators said. Sen.-elect Watson had indicated Friday he might be late. Sen.-elect Bunch, an attorney, was held up in a legal proceeding, senators said.

In another major development, Republicans voted 10-5 to oust Sen. Randy McNally, R-OakR - Oak ROak Ridge, as Republican Caucus chairman, replacing him with Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville.

Sen. Norris said he likely would be more "assertive" than Sen. McNally.

Republicans also re-elected Sen. Ramsey as Republican leader, a post separate from the speakership. He would give up the party leadership post if he is elected speaker.

Sen. Williams appeared upset when asked by reporters about Sen. Ramsey’s assertions in a personal letter to him that minority Democrats are trying to play him for a "patsy" as they seek to hold onto power despite the GOP’s majority.

"I think in my 16 years of service here, I think a lot of things could be said about me. I don’t think (any) person could ever say that I’m a patsy," Sen. Williams said, citing his fight to oppose then-Republican Gov. Don Sundquist’s proposed state income tax.

"I fought that in the best interests of the citizens of this state. ... I spoke out on the Legislative Plaza when certain senators around were nowhere to be found. I think my record speaks that I’m anything but a patsy," Sen. Williams said.

Sen. Ramsey said, "I’m sorry he felt that way. Honestly, I thought it was just a personal note to lay out to him the exact options that he had. I don’t see how you argue with what was in the letter."

He said the people of Tennessee "have spoken not through one election cycle but two election cycles, and the Republicans have maintained their majority in the state Senate. The people have spoken, so therefore we need a Republican speaker in the state Senate."

In choosing Sen. Norris over Sen. McNally as caucus chairman, Republicans chose a lawmaker who as Transportation Committee chairman showed a willingness to take on Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen and Senate Democrats.

"There was a general sense that we needed to change our offense a little bit going into the 105th General Assembly," Sen. Norris said. "I don’t hesitate to speak my mind and let others know where I stand, and I think that the caucus felt that much more comfortable that I could articulate for all of us on the floor."

Sen. McNally likened the situation to a scene in the movie "The Godfather." The scene involves the Corleone family’s "consigliere," or adviser, Tom Hayden being told he was being replaced because the Corleones were in a war with other Mafia families.

"We need a war-time consigliere," Sen. McNally said of his colleagues’ apparent sentiment.

Sen. McNally was chosen earlier this year as caucus chairman when then-Sen. Jeff Miller, R-Cleveland, resigned the post. Several aides and former aides of Sen. Miller, who didn’t seek re-election, had been called before a federal grand jury.