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AJC.com > Legislature > Blog > Archives > 2006 > March > 14
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
The difference between a Georgia Republican and a Washington Republican
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Years ago, leading Democrats in Georgia — the Herman Talmadges and Richard Russells — would find a way to be somewhere else whenever the Democratic National Convention was held. Fishing trips, sick or dying mothers, and visits to overseas military bases would magically spring up. It was a way to draw a line between themselves and the mess in Washington.
So there we were yesterday, in a small press conference called by four Republican state senators and Herman Cain. Cain is the pizza guy, author, radio talk show host and former GOP candidate for the U.S. Senate. The four senators were Mitch Seabaugh of Sharpsburg, Chip Pearson of Dawsonville, Chip Rogers of Woodstock, and Casey Cagle of Gainesville. (Seeing Cain and Cagle, a candidate for lieutenant governor, in the same room was interesting, but beside the point for today’s discussion.)
The topic was a Senate resolution to create a study committee to look at capping the growth of state government in Georgia by gearing it to population increase and inflation. Results must be produced by Dec. 1, 2006. After the November election. The legislation in question is S.R. 1091.
Here’s the point: A huge federal deficit and the rise of “big government conservatism” in Washington, all under the GOP banner, has frightened some Republicans and angered others. Seabaugh & Co. said they’re not trying to make any statement, or send any message to Washington. But when pressed, they said they aren’t happy with the situation. “I am disgusted,” Cain said.
GOP lawmakers haven’t begun trolling for sick mothers, to avoid being seen with President Bush. But around the state Capitol, they have been overheard saying, “I’m a Georgia Republican, not a Washington Republican.”
Today’s question is: what’s the difference? And please, step away from the talking points. Let’s be thoughtful about this.
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