Earlier in the week, state Sen. Don Cheeks (R-Augusta) nearly blew a gasket when describing his efforts to contact Gov. Sonny Perdue for an explanation. "I've got an 'R' next to my name, don't I?" he spat.

We caught hold of state Sen. Randy Hall (R-Augusta) on Thursday as he walked out of the governor's office. The senator revealed something new about the inner workings of the governor's new approach to state government.

Perdue told Hall that the final decision to carry through with the privatization -- this is apparently a troubled facility with a long, distasteful history -- was made by Chief Operating Officer Jim Lientz. Not the governor, and not Chief of Staff Eric Tanenblatt.

Perdue was informed of Lientz's decision only after it was made. And he's since signed off on it, Hall said.

At least the watch would be right twice a day

From Washington, staff writer Melanie Eversley tells us that there's an eccentric move afoot to draft Zell Miller for president in 2004.

The evidence? An Internet Web log and the fact that someone on eBay is featuring a watch for sale with the slogan "Zell Miller for President."

The Web log, titled "The Wyeth Wire," is put together by University of Virginia law student Wyeth Ruthven, who gets his information from an anonymous source he's dubbed "Deep Purple."

The watch may be the better buy. It might at least tell time. Bidding starts at $9.97.

Miller shrugs off both tidbits.

"I know nothing about this -- absolutely nothing," the senator said in a statement carefully dictated to his press secretary. " 'Deep Purple' must be deep in the sauce. Neither can I explain why eBay is selling Zell Miller for President watches."