November 17, 2006

Wilder Things Have Happened

Knoxville News Sentinel columnist Greg Johnson wrote an excellent column exploring the future of Democrat Lt. Gov. John Wilder and wonders why Republican state Sen. Michael Williams is considering voting for him again, rather than a Republican, to lead the state Senate. Michael Faulk, a Church Hill attorney and possible challenger to Williams in 2008 - and a blogger - emailed me the story. He's quoted in it, saying Williams' betrayal of the Republican voters who put in in office by voting for Wilder two years ago has caused "a groundswell of concern from hardcore Republicans."

Faulk has a very good analysis of Sen. Williams' impending decision here.

Sen. Williams is likely done being the senator from that district in 2008 - most certainly if he votes for Wilder again. But the KNS columnist Johnson says Williams may leave the Senate before then - there's a strong rumor that he's been promised a job in the Bredesen administration if he votes for Wilder, keeping key Senate committees controlled by Democrats - for two more years.

Gov. Bredesen's flack gave Johnson a carefully worded non-denial denial, saying, "I have no knowledge of Sen. Williams taking a job in the administration." Of course she would have "no knowledge" because backroom deals like this aren't the the kind of thing you tell the governor's press secretary to prepare a press release for. But this is the same same administration that sold promotions to Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers in exchange for campaign donations, so I'd bet money Williams has been offered a job in exchange for voting for Wilder.

My prediction: Wilder will be Lt. Governor for two more years - and the voters of Tennessee, who have two elections in a row now voted for a Republican majority to run the Senate will once again have their expressed will denied.

In other legislative leadership fights, I back state Rep. Glen Casada, R-College Grove, for the chairmanship of the House Republican Caucus. Nothing against the current chairman, state Rep. Charles Sargent, R-Franklin, but Casada's my state rep, and a rock-solid conservative, and it's time for new leadership in the House GOP caucus. And, if I may meddle in the other side's legislative leadership races, I'd love to see state Rep. Gary Odom, D-Nashville, win the race for the open House Majority Leader spot against state Rep. Mark Maddox, a West Tennessee lawmaker who does House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh's bidding.

Odom's more independent. Besides, the higher he rises in the House, the less likely he'll run for the Senate when state Sen. Doug Henry retires, which I expect will happen sometime next year.