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On the fallout — and lack of it — from Isakson’s choice
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Keeping events in perspective is difficult when dealing with politics.
On Friday morning, Johnny Isakson’s decision to stick to the U.S. Senate rather than run for governor in 2010 was on the front page of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Marietta Daily Journal.
It was the talk of Georgia’s political elite. We reporters were fascinated, because the decision unleashes the ambitions of a dozen or so elected officials.
But on Friday night, Isakson made his first public appearance since making his choice — at the Marietta Country Club, to speak to a group of Rotarians.
Isakson gave his stock speech. Energy, taxes and Iraq were the primary topics. The only allusion to the newspaper articles was a brief expression by Isakson of how much he enjoyed working in Washington. The word “governor” never passed his lips.
More important, in the question-and-answer session that followed, neither did the audience. Four-dollar-a-gallon gas, corn-for-fuel vs. corn-for-food, and the economy took precedent.
One more thought :
We’ve heard much about who might run for governor, even that state Sens. Eric Johnson of Savannah and Chip Rogers of Woodstock are interested in lieutenant governor should Casey Cagle abandon the position.
What hasn’t been mentioned is the fact that, by staying put in Washington, Isakson has put a limit — at least for the time being — on an extension of Sonny Perdue’s political career once he leaves the Governor’s Mansion.
For there was always the possibility that Isakson and Perdue could simply swap jobs in 2010.
Now there’s nowhere for Perdue to go — unless John McCain has something for him.



DEL.ICIO.US

Comments
By go dogs
May 11, 2008 12:17 AM | Link to this
god is a cruel mistress don’t believer