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Friday, April 25, 2008
Richardson urges House workers to telecommute, and says state agencies, others should do the same
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Given that gasoline is topping $3.50 a gallon, Speaker Glenn Richardson just announced that he’ll allow House employees to work one day a week from home.
Said Richardson:
“If they are not already, I urge other state agencies, state government departments, and public and private companies to consider implementing a similar plan so that all Georgians can experience some relief at the pump.”
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Marshall stands up for a Republican’s right — to run against Rick Goddard
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rumors can make this job a lot of fun.
Last Saturday, Republicans in the 8th District on Saturday gave GOP congressional candidate Rick Goddard a virtual letter of endorsement — despite the fact that qualifying, much less a primary, has yet to occur.
You can read the entire document on the jump, but the resolution was justified almost wholly by this particular “whereas”:
WHEREAS, Rick Goddard is the only declared Republican candidate and the only candidate with any activity in their Federal Elections Commission (FEC) mandatory filing reports…
James Neal Harris is a Republican who has run for the seat before — against Mac Collins — and apparently intends to again. Harris wasn’t at the GOP gathering. But he got word of the action, though the details were a bit jumbled.
And what does a man do when his rights have been trampled on? Why, he writes his congressman. Even if it’s one he plans to run against. We don’t have Harris’ original e-mail. But we do have the reply from U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall, who — for the record — is a Democrat.
No doubt the congressman was trying hard not to crack a smile throughout the awkward situation.
Wrote Marshall:
In your e-mail, you say, “An alleged proposal was made and passed that the only one Republican Candidate would be allowed to qualify to run for the 8th Congressional District post, this being Candidate Rick Goddard. I was told that should I show up in Atlanta between April 28th-May 2nd 2008 to qualify with the State of Georgia, the Republican Party would refuse to accept my qualifications check.”
Of course, I have no knowledge of what a body of the Republican Party might or might not have done regarding the 8th District race, but I know an attempt to prohibit an eligible citizen from running for office is wrong and I believe it to be illegal as well.
I am sending a copy of this letter to Mr. Randy Evans, the General Counsel of the Georgia Republican Party, with a request that he look into the matter and ensure that no attempt to disenfranchise an otherwise eligible candidate is being made, and further that he take affirmative steps to notify any and all officials involved in qualifying that no such attempts be honored.
Ben Fry, spokesman for the state GOP, said this:
“It’s ironic that Congressman Marshall had time to respond so quickly, let alone leak to reporters, the complaint of a constituent claiming to want to unseat him, but who has yet to file with the FEC or actively campaign.
“I figured Marshall would be too busy voting to block renewal of the Protect America Act or ducking questions about which Democrat candidate for president he’s going to support. General Rick Goddard is the only Republican actively campaigning in the 8th Congressional District and would be a great Representative for the people of Middle Georgia.”
That said, Fry supplied the 8th District resolution that you can see on the jump. Also, he said that — should Harris show up with his check — the state GOP would put his name on the ballot.
WHEREAS, Rick Goddard spent nearly 34 years as an officer in the United States Air Force
WHEREAS, Rick Goddard flew 227 Combat Missions in Vietnam, received the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and twelve Air Medals
WHEREAS, Rick Goddard was the Commander of Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia’s largest industrial complex
WHEREAS, Rick Goddard is the only declared Republican candidate and the only candidate with any activity in their Federal Elections Commission (FEC) mandatory filing reports
WHEREAS, Rick Goddard has been endorsed by Governor Sonny Perdue, Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, and all members of the Georgia Republican Congressional Delegation
WHEREAS, Rick Goddard is a lifelong conservative Republican that has actively promoted our traditional family and Christian values through is local party and will bring those values to Washington, DC
WHEREAS, Rick Goddard is a member of the NRA, Chamber of Commerce, the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), and the Air Force Association
WHEREAS, top political analysts and both the National Republican and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committees target the 8th Congressional District in Georgia as one of the top races in the country
WHEREAS, Democrat Jim Marshall won his 2006 reelection by only 1752 votes and Georgia’s 8th District is historically a Republican District with President Bush receiving 60.6% of the vote in 2004, Governor Sonny Purdue receiving 58.9% of the vote in 2006, Senator Saxby Chambliss received 58.1% of the vote in 2002 and Senator Johnny Isakson received 60.1% of the vote in 2004
NOW, THEREFORE, the County Republican Parties that make up Georgia’s 8th Congressional District endorse Rick Goddard for United States Congress and declare the 8th District a focused effort for all Republican and Conservative groups statewide and expresses the desire for all Georgia Republicans to aid in this effort
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Does Spier’s decision pave the way for Bubba McDonald’s return?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You’ve heard that Angela Speir has decided not to run for a second term on the Public Service Commission.
The consumer advocate, who spent hardly a dime in her 2002 victory over Democrat incumbent Lauren “Bubba” McDonald, served Georgia political analysts well — as a kind of baseline measure for Republican support in Georgia.
With Speir headed out, there’s now word that McDonald, a 1990 candidate for governor, has been making calls this morning, contemplating a comeback — as a Republican.
McDonald made his party switch back in 2004, with an unsuccessful challenge to state Sen. Bill Stephens.
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A letter on the gun bill, a worry about parents with more than bats in their hands, and thoughts on an override
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Not surprisingly, some of the most fiery debate over H.B. 89, which would permit permit-holders to carry concealed on public transportation, in parks, and in restaurants that serve alcohol, is being conducted behind-the-scenes, among lawyers.
This is a letter from the Georgia Restaurant Association to Gov. Sonny Perdue, laying out a business and legal case for vetoing the measure.
The restaurant group said the bill would frighten both employees and patrons — affecting owners’ ability to hire help, and undermining public confidence at a time when, due to the economic downturn, fewer and fewer people choose to eat out.
There is the private property issue, of course. But the big question is one of liability. Says the letter, written by the GRA’s attorney:
“For example, how would a business operator or manager enforce the provision in H.B. 89 that prohibits any patron who is carrying a weapon from ordering and consuming an alcoholic beverage?
“Will servers need to question whether a patron is carrying a gun and request to see [his] gun permit in the same fashion that they card customers to avoid underage drinking?
“How can a server determine if a gun permit is valid or counterfeit? How should a server be expected to handle an ensuing confrontation that arises when an unruly customer takes exception to being questioned about carrying a gun onto the premises?
“Or is this simply to be enforced through ‘the honor system’? You can be assured that enterprising plaintiff’s attorneys will sue restaurant owners and their employees for the aftermath of tragic gunplay resulting from the fatal mix of alcohol and guns.”
One group opposing H.B. 89, not mentioned in today’s story, is the Georgia Recreation and Park Association. The group is worried about the provision that would permit concealed weapons in state parks.
Jimmy Gisi, executive director, is picturing heated arguments at kids’ sporting events. He wrote this morning:
Youth sports is very passionate in our state and unfortunately, I have witnessed many parents getting way out of control. It is much easier to corral an angry parent or to disarm him/her of a bat or stick than a firearm with multiple shots. We are definitely putting our children at a considerable risk if this law is signed into effect.”
In his letter to Perdue, Gisi was even stronger, saying his group watched “with horror” the passage of the bill in the Legislature this spring.
But one big argument in favor of Perdue signing the gun bill is political.
For two years, the issue has tied the Legislature — particularly the Senate — into knots by pitting gun rights advocates against the business community.
A veto would guarantee a third round. We’ve covered this issue, and we’d rather not cover it again,” said state Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock), who supports H.B. 89.
Several lawmakers — Rogers not among them — have pointed out that H.B. 89 passed the Senate with a veto-proof majority. The margin was a little less in the House, but that particular chamber has not shied away from confrontations with the governor.
No doubt someone has pointed all this out to Perdue.
