Watch the Tenn. GOP get Pwnd

[Falkenhayn]

Its the January 13th Session. The General Assembly is 50-49 Republican to Democrat. What you will see is 49 Democrats electing 1 moderate Republican Speaker of the House

The GOP candidate was Jason Mumpower, who's legislative home page is down right now.

[The Original Nex]

For anyone who may not understand the situation in the Tennessee General Assembly it is as follows:

The Republicans captured the State House for the first time in November by one vote -- 50-49 -- and were planning sweeping conservative agenda votes under their presumed new Speaker, Rep. Mumpower. However Rep. Williams, a moderate Republican, made a deal with the Democratic caucus which entailed all Democrats voting for Williams for Speaker, which, when his own vote was factored in, gave him the Chair. This allows the Democrats to have a much more friendly Speaker than they would otherwise have and gives them some input on the agenda and the Committee assignments. The State Republicans were left flabbergasted, humiliated and infuriated.

Good fun and parliamentary maneuvers all around!

[CmdrWilkens]

The awesomeness is indeed laugh worthy.

[Duckie]

For the lazy- easy way to find, or also a text summary.

00:38:00 till recess ~4 minutes later-
Swearing in is followed by a resolution, until the speaker suddenly declares a recess. Mumpower gets an oh-shit face as he realises what the Democrats are going to do, goes "OBJECTION! VOTE NAO!". Democrat says "We always take a recess, there's nothing suspicious. Let's take a recess and let people stretch their legs and go get photos with their families." Speaker goes "The democrat is right, we should-" Mumpower interrupts, looks stupid, vote is taken, barely passes to go to recess (Democrat + 1 Rep Defection winning vs Republicans losing)

30 minute recess, despite Mumpower's

01:15:00 onwards-
Rep. Mumpower is nominated for speaker, and given fine praise. The republicans move to stop nomination. Suddenly, Democrat is like "I'd like to nominate someone." Speaker has surprised looking face. Democrat is allowed to speak despite a challenge that the nomination closing should be voted on first.

Democrat is given the speaker's go-a-head to nominate. Republicans challenge the speaker over democratic ability to nominate a speaker again. Republicans cheer the attempt to silence consideration of an another nominee. Consideration for several minutes of looking up the rules.

Speaker says something privately to Mumpower and Democratic leader, mikes cut.

Mumpower withdraws his objection meekly (owned by the speaker?). Democratic leader mentions he wants to nominate someone who puts people above partisanship- 48 democratic laughs.

Republicans absolutely owned in terms of rhetoric and speech by the Democratic leader. Roll Call and vote:

Democrats cheer as Williams wins 50 Democratic and himself votes, while Mumpower gets 49 Republican including himself.

Democrats cheer. Republicans boo. Speaker threatens to eject and booing republicans, and almost does when one doesn't stop (he pauses when one guy shouts something and looks ready to throw the guy out). Sparse (50% of chamber) claps as he is sworn in.

New Speaker stands at podium and speaks, booing republicans again threatened to be thrown out. He gets up and speaks- noting that he won't be a republican anymore for long if he's thrown in, at one point, but preaches postpartisanship. Change is cited. Obama meme- gets a few shocked reactions from crowd. States he will value competance over seniority and party affiliation. Sits down to claps from both sides.

Absolutely pwned in terms of out-thought, out-maneuvered, and outfoxed. Democrats/Obama score.