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Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Georgia agri-business lines up behind Chambliss, Isakson on immigration reform
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just got off the phone with Wayne Lord, a vice president for governmental affairs with Pilgrim’s Pride, the largest chicken company in Georgia, and the United States as well.
He’s up in Washington, trying to build support for the immigration reform package now being debated in the U.S. Senate.
Lord is also chairman of Georgia Employers for Immigration Reform, a group of 25 or so major businesses that are backing the play of U.S. Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, who helped negotiate the bipartisan compromise.
The group is one of the reasons the two Georgia feel comfortable sticking their necks out on this highly volatile issue.
“All of us as business leaders are very grateful for the leadership of senators Chambliss and Isakson,” Lord said.
GEIR is new. So new, that the group isn’t ready to publish its entire list of members. But Lord says GEIR represents a major slice of the state’s payroll.
Lord says his group has three priorities — border security, a workable verification program to ascertain the work status of employees, and a flow of temporary workers — “when the economy demands it.”
Lord and GEIR aren’t the only ones pushing this legislation in Georgia. On Tuesday, state Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin made public letters of support he’s sent to both U.S. senators.
“Just because we cannot solve every problem or please every person does not mean we should shrug our shoulders and do nothing,” Irvin wrote. “Despite all the changes in society, farming and food processing remain the foundation of Georgia’s economic well being, and our agricultural guest workers play an important role.”
You can see one of the letters in its entirety on the jump.
Honorable Johnny Isakson
United States Senate
4 Russell Courtyard
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Isakson:
As Commissioner of Agriculture, I want to personally thank you for your leadership role in drafting the upcoming Immigration Reform Legislation.Immigration is a very complex issue, and there is no one solution that will satisfy all parties. However, just because we cannot solve every problem or please every person does not mean we should shrug our shoulders and do nothing. This legislation is a step forward in addressing immigration issues, especially as they concern agriculture.
Despite all the changes in society, farming and food processing remain the foundation of Georgia’s economic well being, and our agricultural guest workers play an important role. Agriculture generates more than $5.1 billion per year in cash receipts to the state’s economy, and I applaud your efforts as you work to find solutions for the benefit of our state’s largest industry.
I believe this legislation is a positive step for agriculture and I want to join with you in supporting this vital piece of legislation.
Sincerely,
Tommy IrvinFulton County GOP convention fracas moves ahead
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’re told that, in a sidebar meeting to the state Republican convention last week, the state GOP executive committee decided to permit a challenge to the March 24 Fulton County Republican convention proceed apace.
The challenge alleges chaos and possible voter fraud in the convention that resulted in the re-election of county chairman Mike Dvorscak.
We understand that June 11 is the deadline for the filing of affidavits. A hearing would come within the next 60 days.
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The Air Force general from Perry decides to run against the Army ranger from Macon
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In a state Republican convention that was chockfull of contentiousness last weekend, it was easy to overlook one potential conflict that was successfully resolved.
In his address to delegates, U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland all but endorsed retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Rick Goddard as the GOP pick to challenge U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Macon) for the 8th District congressional seat.
As it turned out, Goddard on Monday announced his entry into race. Here’s the Macon Telegraph piece on the topic.
Goddard is seen by Republicans as someone whose military credentials might compare favorably with those of Marshall. “Gen. Goddard is a patriot with a resume that cannot be matched,” said Ken Spain, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, told the Telegraph.
The puzzle, of course, was the fact that state Sen. Ross Tolleson (R-Perry) had made a trip up to Washington some weeks ago to persuade GOP strategists that he was the right man to challenge Marshall.
But Tolleson, we’re told, has quietly decided to pass on the congressional race.
Next: Bill Clinton, husband of Hillary, comes to town for a tea with the Sons of Confederate Veterans
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It looks like we’ve got a Democratic battle of the presidential spouses shaping up.
Amy Morton of GeorgiaWomenVote says Elizabeth Edwards, wife of John, will be in Macon for a fund-raiser on June 5. Details can be found here.
She’ll beat Michelle Obama, wife of Barack, to Georgia by 24 hours.
What Jimmy Carter really said about Bush
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jimmy Carter has said his remarks about President Bush were either “careless” or “misinterpreted.”
We’re leaning toward careless, based on the audio clip posted by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Listen to it here.
But all in all, the conversation centers on material Carter put in his recent book on politics and religion — and other than the “worst” remark, there wasn’t much news there.
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