Did anybody notice this ingenious little political maneuver in Tennessee last week?
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. … 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.
Found at Political Animal.
2 comments
The original Memphis Machiavelli now lives in Hong Kong. But these guys actually learned this trick from the Pennsylvania State House, who successfully pulled off virtually the same move two years ago.
WooT!
Nice move by the Dems. Divide and conquer.