House In Disorder: Tennessee Democrats Elect Republican Speaker

The mood in the hall of the General Assembly Tuesday morning oozed with anxious anticipation.

Republicans stood poised to take control of the Tennessee General Assembly for the first time in nearly 140 years.  Even Gubernatorial candidate Zach Wamp roamed the halls.  "What I say to all my new colleagues here in the state house and state senate is with this new majority, is you cant just be the opposition party now because the burden is on you to govern."

Some Democrats felt the change in the air too, beginning to box up items in their offices.  Rep. Joanne Favors says "there are many Republicans I hope will vote their conscience and hope they will."

The mood quickly changed, when lawmakers arrived to find documents on their desks questioning the residency of an incumbent Republican.  But, procedure called for Rep. Donna Rowland to be seated after a finding by the District Attorney General.

Then, after taking the oath of office, Democrats pushed for a recess, to allow family members to "take pictures."  Republicans tried to table the motion, but failed when Freshman Lawmaker Terri Lynn Weaver of Smith County became confused and voted "no" on the motion to table, not the motion to recess.

When lawmakers returned from break, now an hour into session, they tackled the Speakers position.  Representative Jason Mumpower of Bristol received the first nomination.  Republicans hoped to end the nomination process there, but after more political wrangling, allowed Democrats to submit a candidate.

What happened next some may describe as the political play of the decade as all 49 Democrats backed Kent Williams, a Sophomore Republican from Carter County, a district just miles from Mumpower's hometown.

During the voice vote on the Speaker's position, the House clerk called every Democrat first, then every Republican, except Williams.  The 49 to 49 split was then decided by Williams.

Williams accepted the position amid cheers and boos, prompting state troopers to enter the House chambers ready to respond to an outburst.

After the vote, Representative Gerald McCormick reacted.  "I think we've elected a dishonest and dishonorable man to Speaker.  He's made a joke of the government, he should be ashamed of himself, he's a bold face liar."

Republicans promptly kicked Williams out of their next caucus meeting.  Rep. Eric Watson says "everyone is surprised right now at what's happening.  We don't know the outcome yet, its not over."

Republicans still hold a 50 to 49 majority.  But what that means now, is unknown.