Posted by
Georgiaboy on Saturday, July 08, 2006 10:54:25 AM
First of all, welcome to our new blog. I plan on focusing mainly on politics, but John may talk some about video games and other things. I'll try to make him write about politics some, though.
Georgia's highest profile GOP primary race is the contest for Lt. Governor. Several months ago Ralph Reed, the former leader of the Christian Coalition, the architect of the 2002 GOP revolution in Georgia, and President Bush's 2004 southeastern coordinator, appeared to have a lock on the nomination. But, due to his connection with Jack Abramoff, he is locked in an very competitive race with State Sen. Casey Cagle.
I tend to take a very forgiving view of Reed's involvement with Abramoff. Abramoff had an excellent reputation and most of his friends wouldn't have even imagined what he had gotten involved in. So, I can accept that Reed probably didn't know what Abramoff was really doing. The only reason it matters to me is how Reed's presence on the ballot will affect other GOP candidates. Several polls suggest the Reed, while he would likely win his election, would be a drag on other candidates. If that is true, it is a risk I cannot accept. Cagle is a conservative, hard working guy who lacks the organizational genius of Ralph Reed, but also his negative baggage. He will make a great Lt. Governor and Reed's election drag could doom former Rep. Max Burn's attempt to retake House District 13 from Rep. John Barrow and former Rep. Mac Collin's bid to unseat Rep. Marshall.
With that said, I always hate it when two great candidates run for the same office, because you can only vote for one of them. Whoever wins the Primary, Georgia is going to have an excellent public servant to be its first Republican Lt. Governor in a very long time.
David