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State’s GOP big names divided on Briley apology
Posted By katie allison granju
GOP Spokesman Bill Hobbs responded to Rob Briley’s formal apology on Capitol Hill yesterday by commenting on the matter at Volunteer Voters, saying:
“Is having an affair with the trial lawyers’ lobbyist one of the things he’s not proud of?”
And:
It’s a serious question that gets to the heart of a serious matter. Briley today apologized for his actions in the DUI/chase/arrest, and apologized for the embarrassment he caused the House.
Watch the video. Listen carefully to Briley’s words. The House, it seems, is the most important thing that he values. He practically worships the institution - and views it as incomplete with him there to “serve the people.” Yet last year he besmirched the House by having an ethically questionable affair with the lobbyist for one of the main special-interest groups affected by and interested in legislation that came before the committee Briley chaired.
So, what I want to know is, is he only sorry about the DUI incident and the embarrassing video, or is he also sorry about engaging in the ethically questionable affair that triggered his wife leaving, which apparently triggered his alcoholic binge and resulting booze-fueled crime spree?
Briley caused all of his own problems. He and he alone. His problems all cascaded from his pre-arrest failure to live up to his solemn vow to his wife.
Today, as far as I can tell, he only apologized for the incident at the end for which he got caught and YouTubed.
To which Rep. Mike Bell responded:
I am a conservative, East Tennessee republican. I am on the absolute, opposite end of the political spectrum as Briley. I will continue to be on the opposite side of Rob on most issues and I will work against most of his legislation as he will most likely oppose most of what I do. But I congratulate him on what he did this morning. I believe it was heartfelt and genuine.
I will continue to pray for and cheer Rob on as he fights the demons he has brought on himself. I have talked with Rob and looked into his face and I believe he is changing. He has not won this battle. He will fight it for the rest of his life.
Whether his political career is over is for the voters of the 52nd district to decide. From a political standpoint I can’t say I would miss him. But on a personal level I pray he is healthy and free from these demons forever.
You can watch Briley’s apology yourself below:
Jan 25th, 2008
