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Johnny’s not marching home again…

When Sen. Johnny Isakson announced he would try to stay in Washington and would not return home to run for governor in 2010, it was bad news for Georgia and even worse news for the Georgia Republican Party.

I disagree with Isakson on a lot of issues, but I know from covering him in his time at the state Legislature that he’s not a party hack. He also has earned a level of personal and professional respect that would allow him to lead.

Given political realities, our next governor is likely to be Republican. For Georgia’s sake, that governor has to be someone with the intellect, standing and character to make progress on critical areas such as transportation. Isakson could have been that kind of governor. Sonny “Go Fish Georgia” Perdue has proved he doesn’t fit that description, nor do any of the other Republicans elbowing each other to succeed him.

Again, that’s bad news for Georgia. But for Georgia Republicans who have already been embarrassed by the behavior of party leaders under the Gold Dome, it’s even worse. Another failed governor and more childish feuding will accelerate the rejuvenation of the Georgia Democrats.

But of course, they have problems of their own…..

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By Thor

May 20, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

Johnny has a safe, secure seat. Georgia is a red state and unless he gets caught with a goat, he’ll be up in the Senate for life.

Johnny is also a back-bencher rubber stamp for the Bush Administration - he and Saxby both. Neither of them are independent from the party line, they won’t criticize the war, raise questions over spending, etc. They do what their party leaders tell them in order to advance.

Johnny isn’t a bad guy, but he is a do nothing, back bencher who does what he’s told in the Senate.

 

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