(Fla) Byrd's 'sheep' analogy riles House colleagues

[salin]

Byrd's 'sheep' analogy riles House colleagues

Several members say Speaker Johnnie Byrd's remark that they are "looking for someone to tell them what to do" is insulting.

By STEVE BOUSQUET, Times Staff Writer
Published February 26, 2004

TALLAHASSEE - House Speaker Johnnie Byrd has set off a furor in his ranks by comparing House members to sheep.

In a lengthy interview Tuesday with the Tampa Tribune editorial board, the Plant City Republican said his efforts to "push decision-making down" to rank-and-file members hasn't worked.

"They're like sheep in a way," Byrd said of House members, more than two-thirds of whom are Republicans. "They're looking for someone to tell them what to do."

As House members read Byrd's comments in Wednesday's Tribune, their long-simmering frustration over his leadership style erupted in public. Some lawmakers publicly criticized him or demanded changes that would reduce Byrd's power.

-- snip --

The Tribune also reported that Byrd called Senate President Jim King "pro-abortion." The Jacksonville Republican said he "leans" in favor of abortion rights.

Byrd also said the end of taxpayer-supported public schools "could be the next renaissance in education." The 90-minute discussion included seven editorial writers and a political reporter


more: http://www.sptimes.com/2004/02/26/news_pf/State/Byrd_s__sheep__analog.shtml

[The Backlash Cometh]

1. Boy, did I see that one coming.

It's one thing to be a moderate Republican and strong-armed by the conservative wing, but it's totally another thing to be defined as a sheep which is easily manipulated. What a slap in the face. The only thing worse than being a hapless Democratic politician, must be a helpless moderate Republican.

[Florida_Geek]

2. And he want Graham Senate spot

He is a good Senate Tom Delay.

[Voltaire99]

3. 'He said he "leans" in favor of abortion rights.'

Is that like being "kind of" a virgin?

[Orangepeel]

4. Only thing the lousy bastard ever got right

republicans in the FL legislature are a bunch of sheep who vote exactly the way he tells them to on every single issue.

[fishnfla]

5. The sadddest part is, he's right

Frickin morons up in Tallahassee dont even take a piss until a lobbyist tells 'em how. The other sad fact is that term limits means more rookie pols up there, the vet lobbyists just come in and push them around, like pigs in a pen.

I have witnessed first hand these losers taking votes, looking to see the "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" from the leader before they cast their votes.

[mcar]

6. Yeah, they are

but maybe this'll make them mad enough to start thinking for themselves a bit. This Floridian can only hope.

[Virginian]

7. Limbaugh tells them what to think, so they think it. n/t

Edited for spelling error.