December 22, 2002

Kill The King

Figuratively speaking, that is. Frank Cagle continues to agitate for Republicans in the Tennessee House of Representatives to work with dissident Democrats to oust the General Assembly's Jimmy Soprano, Rep. Jimmy Naifeh, from the speaker's chair.

There are enough votes in the House that prefer someone as speaker other than Naifeh. It isn't just his income tax bill last session. It is dissatisfaction with things in general. East Tennessee Republicans have grown used to being ignored and short-changed by the speaker and his henchmen. But now Middle Tennessee Democrats are catching on that Naifeh's rural West Tennessee mafia is shafting them as well.

This is a golden opportunity for House Republicans to get together with like-minded Democrats and change the status quo. If they vote for Naifeh and give away this opportunity there is a growing network of conservatives around the state that will make sure they pay a price for it. If it is too much to ask that Republicans band together and put forth a candidate then there is an alternative. Do nothing on the first ballot. At least have the courage to abstain. It's not exactly a Profile in Courage. But it's a start.