When in doubt, kick the press out.

That is precisely what Ga. House Republicans did this morning at their scheduled Caucus meeting, held on the grounds of Georgia Tech. 

The meeting was called by incoming and interim House Speaker Mark Burkhalter (R-Johns Creek), ostensibly to select a potential new House leadership team, and perhaps to air some dirty laundry. Burkhalter promised that no votes would be held, positioning the meeting as more of an organizational gathering to refocus his Caucus after a devastatingly brutal public relations week. 

However, Burkhalter was forced to hold at least one vote, which was done on a secret ballot. That tally was to close the meeting, which meant giving the press the boot. House rules call for a two-thirds majority vote to shut off a meeting of that size to the press.

The media, in an uproar over being barred, forced the vote.

It passed 67-28 on a secret paper ballot, and the press was unceremoniously given the "what for-here's your hat, what's your hurry" escort outside. 

Late last week, current House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) tendered his resignation from the House effective January 1 amidst a cloud of controversy that centered on allegations of ethical violations and blatant infidelity.

Then on Monday, Burkhalter announced he would not stay in the leadership post either, due to other career obligations that he is pursuing. Burkhalter said that a new Speaker will be selected-and voted on--when the 2010 General Assembly convenes on January 11. 

That set off another firestorm, sending House Republicans into further disarray, fueled in part by rural legislators who accused the current GOP House leadership of being arrogant and ethically challenged. 

Richardson was conspicuously missing from the meeting.

Channel 5 erroneously reported that Burkhalter was AWOL from his own meeting as well, but the conservative North Fulton legislator was indeed there, and reports from inside the meeting room confirmed that he received a standing ovation in response to his opening speech.