GOP retribution in Tennessee

Tennessee's GOP has decided to punish state Senators who do not fall into lock-step with the party:

The GOP's governing body said it would work to beat any incumbent Republican lawmaker who does not vote for a fellow party member as speaker of the Senate. The Senate speaker also carries the title "lieutenant governor."

"I think average Republicans would be shocked and disappointed if Republican legislators did not elect a Republican speaker," said Layne Provine of Collierville, who proposed the punitive resolution to the GOP state executive committee on Saturday.

The power struggle is the result of Wilder's desire to remain lieutenant governor even after Republicans gained control of the state Senate in last month's election. Republicans now hold a 17-16 edge, and state Sen. Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville, said he expects to challenge Wilder for the position.

But two Republican senators who are loyal to Wilder said they are standing strong.

"This does not affect my decision," said Sen. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville, who is up for re-election in two years. "I prayed about it and I feel like it's the right decision. Any pressure or heat I get, I think I can withstand."

Apparently the GOP in Tennessee feels that the people do not want Senators who think for themselves and support what they think is best for the state, but rather the people are looking for automatons instead.

Already the Senate majority is looking into ways to draw power away from the speaker position.

I'm intrigued about Burchett's moral values and prayers leading him in one direction while the Republican party tells him to go in another. I wonder how the "conservative Christian" voters feel about that one.