D.D. 07/06/05

Representative Chris Newton, the only Republican indicted in the FBI's Tennessee Waltz sting says he will not resign, even after receiving a request to do so from Tennessee GOP Chair Bob Davis. Newton's response led Davis to respond, "Chris Newton has chosen poorly." (anyone else remember that line from the Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade?) Bob Tuke, Chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party confirmed they have not requested any of their members indicted in the sting to resign and said Davis was attempting to politicize the issue by pressing Newton to resign, but Davis brings up a good point- "If the governor calls a special session, how in the world can indicted members of the Legislature vote on ethics reform?"