So the folk(s) at the TN Holler put out an audio recording from a Caucus meeting post the expulsion votes, here.
First off, Republican Leader William Lamberth says on the recording the staff were excused from the room, so either a Republican Rep recorded it or a staff member left a device. I think now we know why former Speaker Glen Casada made everyone put their phones on a table in the back of the room. But I digress.
Rep. Jason Zachary who goes first on the recording is so angry with Rep. Jody Barrett for not sticking to his ”pledged” vote. The same Zachary that voted NO on vouchers and after Rep. John Mark Windle refused a TN Guard promotion to flip his vote from Speaker Casada, Rep. Zachary ran out to the balcony and cut a deal and flipped his vote. Zachary who has a propensity of double speak, it’s really quite astounding or maybe not.
A couple Republicans talking about the Republic. (Zachary and Rep. Scott Cepicky) the first person to really talk about our Republic was in 2017 when Glenn Jacobs began running for Knox County Mayor. Really nice of Zachary to highjack Jacobs points and start making them his own.
A couple Republicans believing the Democrats are their enemies. Zachary need never talk about President Ronald Reagan and Speaker Tip Oneill or Speaker Newt Gingrich and President Bill Clinton. They achieved much because they worked together to pass real reform legislation.
From a couple of them on the recording believe that their votes in the TN House hangs the entire USA in the balance.
As the USA, Tennessee is 1 of 50. In the Unites States Senate, Tennessee is two of 100 (Sen. Blackburn and Sen. Bill Hagerty) and both are Republicans. In the US House Tennessee is 9 of 435 and Republicans are 8 of the 9.
So, Zachary and Cepicky need to calm down. Get Education, Roads, Law Enforcement and Health Care in Tennessee on the straight and narrow, before calling Rep. Sam McKenzie (your neighbor, your enemy)
Oh and by the way, in 2016 Zachary said (I heard it) that it is his prerogative not to respond to a constituent.
