Nashville News Blog

House Democratic leader Gary Odom has apologized to his caucus over a Memphis Flyer story in which he criticizes Jimmy Naifeh. But Odom still insists he didn't say what he's quoted as saying. What's he really sorry about?

"I just apologized for talking to reporters too much," a fast-moving Odom told Pith outside the Legislative Plaza pressroom a few minutes ago before skittering down the hall with one of his aides.

In the Flyer, Odom blamed Naifeh for Democratic election defeats dating back to Al Gore's loss of Tennessee in the 2000 presidential race. He claimed the role of kingmaker in elevating Kent Williams to the speaker's podium and portrayed Naifeh as essentially clueless about the whole plot. The story upset many House Democrats who hold Naifeh in high regard.

Odom couldn't stop chuckling when he was talking to Pith, but Democrats say he was contrite at a closed caucus meeting last night when he delivered his kinda-sorta apology.

"Gary Odom got up and apologized to the caucus and to the speaker, and that's pretty much the gist of it," says Rep. Charles Curtiss, who had been openly critical of Odom for his remarks. "Then Speaker Naifeh got up and said that, for the benefit of the caucus, he wanted to put the whole episode behind us and move forward. Everybody seemed to be in agreement, and we left out of there hopefully all going in the same direction."

Curtiss says Odom claimed he was misquoted in the Flyer. "He apologized for talking to the press, and I'm sinning right now talking to you," Curtiss says. "He said that things were added to what he had to say and it distorted exactly what he intended to say. I have no way of knowing one way or the other. He seemed sincere to me. Nobody said anything negative to be honest with you. He spoke and Speaker Naifeh spoke and that was pretty much the gist of it."

Update: The Flyer's Jackson Baker says he quoted Odom accurately--and he might be able to prove it. "Leader Odom apparently met with the Democratic caucus Monday night and apologized directly to Naifeh. He also apparently attempted to maintain that the Flyer's account of his remarks in Memphis were inaccurate in some way. This is untrue and unacceptable, and proofs are likely to be forthcoming."

Update II: Action Andy Sher reports.