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DEL.ICIO.US‘We’re back,’ says the Georgia Christian Coalition
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
One of the more awkward encounters of next year’s legislative session has been set in motion.
The exact day isn’t marked on the calendar. But it will occur the moment that Sadie Fields and Jim Beck greet each other on the marble floor of the state Capitol.
Until last October, Fields was the long-time chairman of the Georgia Christian Coalition. She split with the national organization back in September, as did several other state Coalition chapters, to form the Georgia Christian Alliance.
On Tuesday, Beck was named as her replacement.
“We want word to go out and let people know that the Christian Coalition is alive and well in Georgia,” Beck said.
Just in time for the Legislature’s winter session, lawmakers have been presented with an abundance of networks claiming to represent the interests of conservative Christian voters.
Although they won’t say so publicly, many politicians wouldn’t have it any other way. We’ll explain in a bit. But first, a word or two about Beck.
He first came to the Capitol with Lt. Gov. Pierre Howard, a Democrat. Afterwards, he served for a time under state Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, a Republican. Right now, Beck, a resident of Carrollton, does public affairs and government relations for Nationwide Insurance Co. Beck has also worked with the Georgia Family Council, a group affiliated with James Dobson’s Focus on the Family in Colorado.
(A fourth group, Georgia Right to Life, also maintains a high-profile at the state Capitol.)
Beck’s chairmanship of the Georgia Christian Coalition will be unpaid. “I’ve worked for Democrats and Republicans, and I believe in the power of the idea. Party affiliations to me really don’t mean a lot.
“My faith walk is a journey. I didn’t come up from my knees as a born-again Christian knowing all the answers. Therefore, I’m willing to listen to people who maybe have a differing point of view.”
Pay attention to the paragraphs above. Certain biblical admonitions prevent leaders of Christian groups from talking smack about each other. That’s the closest they come.
As the Thanksgiving holiday approached, Fields couldn’t be reached for comment. She’s widely considered Georgia’s most influential figure in evangelical politics. Fields was the force behind the 2004 referendum to add a ban on gay marriage to the state constitution.
Fields has described herself as a middle-aged grandmother who sits in front of a computer, trying to start a revolution. She can be fiery, uncompromising, even confrontational. In other words, the typical Southern steel magnolia.
When she split with the Christian Coalition, Fields criticized the national organization for drifting into liberalism — delving into such issues as the minimum wage, and control of the Internet.
But recently, Fields has also placed herself opposite some of Georgia’s most powerful Republicans. She personally sided with Ralph Reed in the GOP primary for lieutenant governor, though she backed Casey Cagle in the general election.
In south Georgia, Fields involved herself in a Republican state House race, against the hand-picked candidate of Speaker Glenn Richardson.
Here’s a crass, Machiavellian prediction. Beck and the revived Georgia Christian Coalition will need money to survive, and — at least for a time — certain people will make sure he finds it.
As much as Republicans need conservative Christians to maintain power in Georgia, GOP powerbrokers are also unwilling to see their access to these essential evangelical voters determined by one or two or even three gatekeepers.
In their mind, it’s a matter of the more, the merrier.
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By Jack
November 21, 2006 10:29 PM | Link to this
Jim Beck was also the campaign manager for Congressman Buddy Darden in 1992 when Darden was challenged by Al Beverly
By Rick
November 22, 2006 9:50 AM | Link to this
During this Thanksgiving holiday, I hope Sadie Fields will take some time to talk to her Lesbian daughter and let her know that she is thankful for her. And maybe she’ll take some time to get to know her grandchild that she has never made the effort to get to know. What a sweet grandmother.
By Yeah right
November 22, 2006 8:53 PM | Link to this
well, if Sadie’s not careful hansel and Gretel may come along and shut her in the oven to bake like the witch she is.
By Anti-American Liberal
November 22, 2006 11:38 PM | Link to this
Hansel and Gretel will be too busy baking Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi in their oven.
By Yeah right
November 24, 2006 10:23 AM | Link to this
Would that Hansel and Gretel cook all three in the oven!
By Thad
November 24, 2006 2:57 PM | Link to this
Add “Jihad” Cynthia McKinney to the oven and it looks very appetizing.