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Up from No. 49 to No. 36: Georgia’s heft increases with Dems in charge of Congress

We’re late on this one - so hat-tip to chisishardcore and peachpundit.com.

Contrary to what you might think, Georgia has actually picked up clout in Congress with Democrats in charge, according to the annual calculations of congress.org.

Last year, the organization ranked our glorious red state at No. 49, just ahead of Arkansas and the principalities of the District of Columbia, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam - which were also included in the survey.

But behind Puerto Rico.

With Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid in charge, Georgia’s ranking now stands at No. 36.

Formulations are based on party, committee assignments, seniority, and other such stuff. U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall of Macon, one of two Democratic members of Congress to win by a whisker in ’06, appears to be the biggest winner.

Last year, he was ranked No. 407 in the 435-member House of Representatives. He jumped to No. 45, ahead of John Lewis (D-Atlanta).

Credit probably goes to the fact that Marshall picked up a third major committee assignment in ‘06. He already sat on the House armed services and agriculture committees, weighty in themselves. Now he’s also on the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, which oversees banking, insurance and securities legislation.

U.S. Rep. John Barrow (D-Savannah), who was declared the caboose of the Georgia delegation last year behind Cynthia McKinney, rose to No. 91.

Naturally, the influence of Republicans tumbled with the change in party control. Phil Gingrey (R-Marietta) is now judged the most cloutless in the Georgia delegation, ranked at No. 414.

Jack Kingston (R-Savannah), whose seat on the House Appropriations Committee made him the most powerful member of the Georgia House delegation last year, tumbled to the middle of the pack.

In the 100-member, seniority-driven Senate, Republicans Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson also dropped in influence, according to congress.org, though the changes weren’t drastic. They were Nos. 64 and 84, respectively. Now they’re Nos. 59 and 91.

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By wtf

March 15, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this

First the AJC reports on the corrupt buffoon Sonny Pervdoo’s fleecing of the populace. Now you’re licking his … by playing raquetball with him and touting his NCAA picks? Hey Sonny, gambling’s illegal. Whose your press agent? Oh yeah, Satan.

By tribalecho

March 15, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this

Speaker Pelosi is giving Georgia a hug.

By Mollie

March 15, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this

Pelosi is cool. I am from the Bay Area and she is very pro-business - especially high-tech.

Along with her, Boxer, Feinstein and others - they have been instrumental in making Silicon Valley such a financial powerhouse.

Give Pelosi a chance. (And good God - get over the gay stuff! If nothing else, gays are good for property values! Geez!)

 

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