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DEL.ICIO.USAs the worm turns, part two
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A couple of days ago, Republican Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas was in Macon stumping for Republican congressional challenger Mac Collins. The press release announcing Smith’s visit confidently referred to him as the “next chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.�
Smith will be the chairman, that is, if the Republicans hold on to the majority in the House in the November election. And as of Tuesday, even Vice President Dick Cheney, talking to Rush Limbaugh, would say only that he thought the GOP had a “good shot� at that.
Which is a good place to start what could be a long discussion about the potential impact on Georgia of an election in which the key battlegrounds are in other states.
Candidates in Georgia have grown accustomed to calling attention to the influence they could wield in Washington, and the powerful allies they have. Party allegiances have changed over time, but with only a small bump in the early ‘50s, Georgia has been in the functional majority ever since FDR and the Great Depression.
On Nov. 7, that might change.
The state’s overall clout in Washington, already greatly declined since the departure of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, might sag even more. No longer would the state’s seven Republicans, assuming that’s how many there would be, have any sway with the House leadership.
Don’t feel guilty if you need reminding that the state’s six Democratic House members are John Lewis, Sanford Bishop, Cynthia McKinney (who would be replaced next year by Hank Johnson if he wins in November), Jim Marshall, David Scott and John Barrow.
You can expect to hear a lot more about this group if they become part of a Democratic House majority next year. With a pipeline to the House leadership, they could project an image quite different from the days when McKinney made all the headlines.
And while it probably wouldn’t wash in most of the state’s solidly grown Republican districts, you might begin to hear Democratic challenger candidates make the argument that with one more Democrat the state’s delegation could once again be mainly on the majority side.
That’s peering into elections beyond this one, which is still very much in doubt. But it’s a first pass at how the world – including Georgia – might change this Election Day.
Comments
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By observer
October 18, 2006 4:33 PM | Link to this
Yeah. You and the AJC wish!
By BE INFORMED
October 18, 2006 4:50 PM | Link to this
Speaking of Georgia Congressmen, do you think Republican Tom Price (R-6th) will grow the cajones required to debate his challenger Steve Sinton? And if not, why? Is it because the GOP told the doctor it’s a “safe seat” so he shouldn’t screw it up by opening his mouth? Or does Doctor Price simply not CARE about his constituents who want to hear a debate because they are, frankly, beneath his lofty station in life? Any theories? Predictions?
By buck
October 19, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this
The one piece of evidence against such an outcome for Ga’s democrats is the general impotence of GA’s republican delegation to congress these past few years. Even with a Republican majority in the house and senate, GA’s republicans didn’t seem to carry any sway. But then again, when your state is so unflichingly Republican, no one on the national level feels a need to hand you any special favors.