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DEL.ICIO.USThe dog that hasn’t barked: Tweaks to U.S. House districts held by Barrow and Marshall
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here we are two weeks into the winter session of the General Assembly, and the hot sauce is missing.
For the first time in several years, we are knee-deep in legislative politics, and not a single rumor has surfaced yet about congressional redistricting. Given that U.S. Reps. John Barrow and Jim Marshall escaped by two whiskers last November and remain vulnerable Democrats, that’s unusual.
Or perhaps not so. First of all, there’s no Tom DeLay in Washington pushing GOP congressional delegations to exact every advantage out of the reapportionment process.
And there’s the fact that Georgia is a Republican state that’s now asking for $130 million or so from a Democratically controlled Congress, to help salvage PeachCare, its health insurance program for the children of the working poll.
It could be that many Republicans have noticed the bump that Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle received when he declared himself above politics on the Voter ID issue. Or they thought it would be too ironic to fiddle with congressional lines just after Gov. Sonny Perdue’s task force recommended the involvement of a neutral body.
But one reason stands above all. Fiddle with Marshall’s lines, and he might just up and run against U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss next year.
Any thoughts?
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By RJ
January 30, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this
With Congress controlled by the Democrats, a weak President, it’s going to be very difficult for the Republican members of Georgia’s Congressional delegation to deliver in the next two years. As this new reality plays out it will have a significant bearing on electibility.
Mix the foregoing with the Governor’s problems and lack luster leadership, a Republican controlled legislature that seems to have slept through the national revolution, still preoccupied with asserting its iron fist control in the face of voters’ expressed desire for more bi-partasanship and what do you get?
If the Democrats can pull their act half together, getting elected as a Republican in Georgia in 2008 will be a challenging endeavor indeed.
Congressional redistricting to what end?
By ALC
January 31, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this
What is that saying about the enemy you know? Considering Senator Chambliss has run against Congressman Marshall twice and beaten him (handily) twice, I doubt that fear of Marshall running against Chambliss serves as motivation for anything the Republicans are doing.
By Bobby Elrod
January 31, 2007 10:26 AM | Link to this
Barrow and Marshall both squeaked by in close elections. Since 2006 was a big democratic year, that indicates problems for both in the next election when there likely won’t be a huge democrat boost.
By Bobby Elrod
January 31, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this
If the Democrats can pull their act half together, getting elected as a Republican in Georgia in 2008 will be a challenging endeavor indeed. Didn’t seem to be a problem electing republicans in 2006. Almost all the statewide races were won by republicans. And the only close congressional races were those won by Barrow & Marshall, all the others were won easily.
By Sarah
January 31, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this
Considering Senator Chambliss has run against Congressman Marshall twice and beaten him (handily) twice, I doubt that fear of Marshall running against Chambliss serves as motivation for anything the Republicans are doing
Ah yes, but that was also before he voted yet again to screw the poor by voting against raising the minimum wage. Couple that with his unwavering idiotic support for the warmonger and I think you have the beginnings of a recipe for disaster for ol’ Saxby.
By Tony
January 31, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this
Well Saxby sure did flee his district to run for Senate didn’t he? If he was such a strong and confident candidate, why did he run for a seat that could have been won by numerous GOP candidates and sacrifice his own district to be won by a Democrat? Mr. Yes Man Saxby was so far up W’s rear all you saw were shoe laces. Now he’s backpedalling on Iraq and other issues he was once so adamant about in support of Bush. And what about his wonderful Farm Bill? Wasn’t he made the face for this last disaster? I seem to recall he was the “brain” behind this last one…the one many of his own party refer to as bad for America.
Is there anything Saxby can do on his own? Has he done anything on his own besides resolutions recognizing people? Can he even tie his own shoelaces without Karl Rove’s help?
By Mark
January 31, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this
Saxby will win easily and that freak show Mad Max Cleland (aka the fumbling idiot) will cry even more. Who are the Democrats going to run? Kihad Cynthia McKinney?
By RL
January 31, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
Mark, grow up. If all you can seem to muster is running arounding calling Democrats names you have BIG problems.
By RJ
January 31, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this
Bobby Elrod, In elective politics things can change overnight…on top one day and defeated the next. The political landscape will be quite different in 2008 from what it was in 2006. For example, if people are struggling to make ends meat party loyalty takes a back seat. Scandals, whether matters of infidelity or crookery, have a way of hardening voters hearts. Arrogant governing and poor performance also have an adverse impact on voter attitudes.
We have no way of predicting what events will happen between now and the next election. However, one thing is for sure, they will impact the outcome.
The 2006 Socio-Republican revolution in Georgia will be measured by its impact, good or bad, in 2008. Time will tell.