(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