In 2000, speaking of Murphy, noted political columnist Bill Shipp wrote, "In his 26 years as presiding officer of the House, he has become as powerful and important in the General Assembly as the governor." Murphy's brusque manners could be off putting, and often required the more diplomatic intervention of his speaker pro tempore, Jack Connell. U.S. District Judge Dudley Bowen Jr observed that "Tom Murphy was a powerhouse, and he was an administration unto himself. And Connell knew how to be nice to people. Connell knew how to work with people."