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the Saxby Dilemma

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , on August 18, 2008| 1 Comment »

Background: While Senator Chambliss is a traditional Republican on most issues, he is good for most of Georgia on the biggest three:

 

Agriculture: Chambliss crafted a bipartisan Farm Bill which does a lot for working families, develops alternative energy, and promotes a safe and affordable food supply.

 

Defense: the Senior Senator from Georgia continues Sam Nunn’s tradition of protecting our military bases and ensuring that out troops are prepared and well treated.

 

Veterans: Chambliss fights for the best interests of those who faced hostile fire for our freedom; particularly the recently returning personnel with medical and adjustment concerns.

 

As Vernon Jones pointed out frequently, Jim Martin (nice guy) is too liberal for most Georgians.  Energy wasted supporting him could be better-spent building a bipartisan relationship with Chambliss and transforming him into a Washington icon like former Senator Nunn—one whose knowledge and skills elevates him above party bickering.

 

Saxby is the ranking Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee; positioned to prevent McCain from gutting the Farm Bill—a bill that is vital to the economic backbone of Georgia outside Atlanta. 

 

If you draw a line from Columbus to Macon to Savannah, Saxby is really the only Georgia congressman based below that line.  If he publicly agreed to be civic in the vigorous “discussions” with the possible Obama White House, he could get enough new African American support to put this race away now and Obama will hook Martin up like Clinton took care of Wyche Fowler.

 

 

 

 

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Rep. Jim Marshall and the Obama Candidacy

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , on August 18, 2008| 3 Comments »

It can’t be easy being a congressman in Georgia these days when your constituency is often divided by segments across the political spectrum.  With respect to those members who find a way to successful handle this precarious situation, I don’t understand the logic of Rep. Jim Marshall ignoring his district’s support of the Democrat candidate Barrack Obama.   

  

Of course, Rep. Marshall has a right to support or not support anyone he chooses—remember when he almost endorsed John Edwards.  However, the African American community has been there for him since his days as mayor in Macon.  Like Congressmen Bishop, Barrow and Scott, Marshall often makes moderate/conservative votes that reflect the moderate/conservative nature of most rural Georgians—African American and White.  But, if the African American community understands those votes, Marshall should understand that this election is not just an election.  Words cannot begin to describe the residual effect the Obama candidacy has in our community.   

  

We all know that Obama would be president of all of America and that moderate Blacks are not 100% in love with all of his positions, but to go from Jim Crow to having this man as the possible president—my goodness.   And for the record, if General Colin Powell ran as a Republican back when, he would have done big numbers in the African community also.  

  

Bottomline: for all the African American votes Jim Marshall has received over the years, he should work hard for Obama’s candidacy or else.  Maybe middle Georgians should put his feet to the fire a little bit and if he is so against what we believe, let’s watch him win without our bass. (pun intended)   

  

 

  

Candidate Obama is always talking about having a civil debate next year—about disagreeing without being disagreeable.  Middle Georgia should consider sending a southern Republican to Congress who will at least be as respectful to Obama as Georgia Democrat congressmen have been to President Bush.  

  

  

  

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