Comments on: Kent Williams becomes Independent Speaker of the House in Tennessee http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2009/02/kent-williams-becomes-independent-speaker-of-the-house-in-tennessee/ Covering America's third parties and independent candidates since May 2008 Sun, 21 Mar 2010 12:59:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Trent Hill http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2009/02/kent-williams-becomes-independent-speaker-of-the-house-in-tennessee/comment-page-1/#comment-41159 Trent Hill Mon, 16 Feb 2009 05:08:26 +0000 http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/?p=6792#comment-41159 Ross, Im sure that part of the "deal" was that they wouldnt run anyone against him for x amount of years. Besides, what Democrat would vote for the Democratic-candidate, knowing that that man handed them the Democratic majority and that a Democratic candidate has very little shot at winning the district to begin with--even without a "spoiler". Ross,

Im sure that part of the “deal” was that they wouldnt run anyone against him for x amount of years. Besides, what Democrat would vote for the Democratic-candidate, knowing that that man handed them the Democratic majority and that a Democratic candidate has very little shot at winning the district to begin with–even without a “spoiler”.

]]> By: Ross Levin http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2009/02/kent-williams-becomes-independent-speaker-of-the-house-in-tennessee/comment-page-1/#comment-41157 Ross Levin Mon, 16 Feb 2009 05:01:29 +0000 http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/?p=6792#comment-41157 I'll bet the Dems won't run anyone against him in 2010. They probably didn't run anyone against him last year either, just because of gerrymandering. I’ll bet the Dems won’t run anyone against him in 2010. They probably didn’t run anyone against him last year either, just because of gerrymandering.

]]> By: Trent Hill http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2009/02/kent-williams-becomes-independent-speaker-of-the-house-in-tennessee/comment-page-1/#comment-41154 Trent Hill Mon, 16 Feb 2009 04:50:11 +0000 http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/?p=6792#comment-41154 Rick, I think you are right. I've done a bit of research and the guy seems to be even more well liked now that he has made this move. The democrats LOVE him, the Independents are claiming him as one of their own, and a sizeable minority of the Republicans still adore him. Rick,

I think you are right. I’ve done a bit of research and the guy seems to be even more well liked now that he has made this move. The democrats LOVE him, the Independents are claiming him as one of their own, and a sizeable minority of the Republicans still adore him.

]]> By: Rick Markland http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2009/02/kent-williams-becomes-independent-speaker-of-the-house-in-tennessee/comment-page-1/#comment-41142 Rick Markland Mon, 16 Feb 2009 03:03:39 +0000 http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/?p=6792#comment-41142 You can follow Speaker Kent Williams' support in his home district by reading the letters to the editors and other articles on-line at www.starhq.com. He has a trememdous amount of support in his home county. The republicans of his district are so angry with the state ouster, they would elect him under any party. At this point, there isn't a soul in Carter County that could beat him. You can follow Speaker Kent Williams’ support in his home district by reading the letters to the editors and other articles on-line at http://www.starhq.com. He has a trememdous amount of support in his home county. The republicans of his district are so angry with the state ouster, they would elect him under any party. At this point, there isn’t a soul in Carter County that could beat him.

]]> By: Catholic Trotskyist http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2009/02/kent-williams-becomes-independent-speaker-of-the-house-in-tennessee/comment-page-1/#comment-40444 Catholic Trotskyist Wed, 11 Feb 2009 04:08:35 +0000 http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/?p=6792#comment-40444 Why does he have to satisfy the Democrats? If they try to do anything against Sanders, and he loses his position, a Republican will become speaker and the Democrats will lose all the power they gained. Think more like the Lieberman situation, if Lieberman had actually jumped completely. Why does he have to satisfy the Democrats? If they try to do anything against Sanders, and he loses his position, a Republican will become speaker and the Democrats will lose all the power they gained. Think more like the Lieberman situation, if Lieberman had actually jumped completely.

]]> By: Ross Levin http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2009/02/kent-williams-becomes-independent-speaker-of-the-house-in-tennessee/comment-page-1/#comment-40391 Ross Levin Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:03:02 +0000 http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/?p=6792#comment-40391 Bernie Sanders is more independent than most (or all) Democrats, so I'd say that's a compliment, although I know nothing about Tennessee politics or this man really. Even though Sanders caucuses with the Democrats and generally agrees with them and could be more outspoken, I think he is better than most/all of them. He's even getting some accolades for calling for a salary cap before TARP even passed. He was probably called crazy for saying that then... Bernie Sanders is more independent than most (or all) Democrats, so I’d say that’s a compliment, although I know nothing about Tennessee politics or this man really. Even though Sanders caucuses with the Democrats and generally agrees with them and could be more outspoken, I think he is better than most/all of them. He’s even getting some accolades for calling for a salary cap before TARP even passed. He was probably called crazy for saying that then…

]]> By: Trent Hill http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2009/02/kent-williams-becomes-independent-speaker-of-the-house-in-tennessee/comment-page-1/#comment-40372 Trent Hill Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:41:18 +0000 http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/?p=6792#comment-40372 Remember that he has a republican district to win in, but a Democratic caucus to satisfy--so he'll have to walk a fine line. Remember that he has a republican district to win in, but a Democratic caucus to satisfy–so he’ll have to walk a fine line.

]]> By: Trent Hill http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2009/02/kent-williams-becomes-independent-speaker-of-the-house-in-tennessee/comment-page-1/#comment-40370 Trent Hill Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:40:55 +0000 http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/?p=6792#comment-40370 Steve Trinward, I doubt that. The deal was that he got to be speaker--and would appoint Republicans and Democrats. I think he'll have a great deal of independence. Steve Trinward,

I doubt that. The deal was that he got to be speaker–and would appoint Republicans and Democrats. I think he’ll have a great deal of independence.

]]> By: Steve Trinward http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2009/02/kent-williams-becomes-independent-speaker-of-the-house-in-tennessee/comment-page-1/#comment-40363 Steve Trinward Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:15:56 +0000 http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/?p=6792#comment-40363 The good news is, Jimmy Naifeh no longer controls the whole Assembly process DIRECTLY. The bad news is, Williams was ousted from GOPdom for not being enough of a social conservative, and for scooping the Repubs just when they thought they could take over the body for the first time in ... well since Reconstruction days ... He will act more like the Dems on most issues, and owes his position to them almost entirely. He's Independent the way Bernie Sanders is in Congress The good news is, Jimmy Naifeh no longer controls the whole Assembly process DIRECTLY.

The bad news is, Williams was ousted from GOPdom for not being enough of a social conservative, and for scooping the Repubs just when they thought they could take over the body for the first time in … well since Reconstruction days …

He will act more like the Dems on most issues, and owes his position to them almost entirely. He’s Independent the way Bernie Sanders is in Congress

]]> By: Trent Hill http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2009/02/kent-williams-becomes-independent-speaker-of-the-house-in-tennessee/comment-page-1/#comment-40248 Trent Hill Tue, 10 Feb 2009 03:04:08 +0000 http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/?p=6792#comment-40248 It is, and he is. But he's also a well-known conservative in Tennessee. If Tennessee is anything Louisiana--their politics value these sort of quirky personalities and mavericks. I hope he gets re-elected. It is, and he is. But he’s also a well-known conservative in Tennessee. If Tennessee is anything Louisiana–their politics value these sort of quirky personalities and mavericks. I hope he gets re-elected.

]]> By: Ross Levin http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2009/02/kent-williams-becomes-independent-speaker-of-the-house-in-tennessee/comment-page-1/#comment-40239 Ross Levin Tue, 10 Feb 2009 02:44:02 +0000 http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/?p=6792#comment-40239 The Republicans will definitely target him. And chances are he's from a district that's been gerrymandered to favor Republicans. The Republicans will definitely target him. And chances are he’s from a district that’s been gerrymandered to favor Republicans.

]]> By: Catholic Trotskyist http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2009/02/kent-williams-becomes-independent-speaker-of-the-house-in-tennessee/comment-page-1/#comment-40219 Catholic Trotskyist Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:46:43 +0000 http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/?p=6792#comment-40219 Very good. I hope he doesn't abuse his power. Will he use it to attempt to move more liberal or more conservative policies, an interesting question. But can he be reelected? Very good. I hope he doesn’t abuse his power. Will he use it to attempt to move more liberal or more conservative policies, an interesting question. But can he be reelected?

]]> By: paulie cannoli http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2009/02/kent-williams-becomes-independent-speaker-of-the-house-in-tennessee/comment-page-1/#comment-40213 paulie cannoli Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:32:43 +0000 http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/?p=6792#comment-40213 Wow! Interesting progress on breaking up the duopoly. Wow! Interesting progress on breaking up the duopoly.

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