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DEL.ICIO.USSeabaugh’s running for No. 2 job in the Senate, which raises certain questions about Eric Johnson
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Got a call on Saturday night from Mitch Seabaugh, the Republican state senator from Sharpsburg.
He was mixing politics and what some people would define as pleasure. Seabaugh was attending his 30th high school reunion in Cape Girardeau, Mo., which also has served as hometown to Rush Limbaugh.
But earlier that day, Seabaugh had also sent an e-mail to his GOP colleagues in the Senate, informing them that — come November — he planned to run for president pro tem of the Senate.
He promised to keep things low-key until after the election, so as not to distract Republican senators with Democratic opposition.
The president pro tem is the No. 2 position in the chamber, under the lieutenant governor. And it’s currently held by Eric Johnson, a Republican from Savannah.
So what about Johnson? Seabaugh says Johnson is running for lieutenant governor in 2010. “He’s contacting people, asking them to be a part of his steering committee,” Seabaugh said. (The Insider hasn’t heard this from Johnson himself.)
And according to the Sharpsburg senator, Republican caucus rules say you can’t hold the position of president pro tem while running for another office.
The Insider will try to snag some of the e-mail traffic that’s going around on this.
Seabaugh, who serves as majority whip, had been looking at the lieutenant governor’s race himself. “But somebody’s got to fight the battle of Bedford Falls,” he said. That’s a reference to “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Look it up.
Seabaugh isn’t the only one in the pro tem contest. Word is that Majority Leader Tommie Williams of Lyons may also be seeking a promotion.
Comments
By GOP Senator
July 27, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this
Mitch is a very good and decent man who has been an incredible whip. The Whip is a tough job and Mitch has the skills to do it well. We hope he will stay in that position and that Cagle will wisely include him more in leadership activities.
By GOP Senator
July 27, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this
Eric is not graciously stepping aside or seeking higher office. He’s being quietly dumped by the Republican Senate because we’re all fed up with his pettiness.
Here’s a little backstory most don’t know.
The year is 2004. Republicans control the Senate. Tom Price has stepped down as Senate Majority Leader to run for Congress. The fight is on between Bill Stephens and Casey Cagle. Eric Johnson, whose leadership of the Senate has generated significant resentment amongst the Senate Republican Caucus, despises Cagle and helps Bill Stephens squeak out a 1-vote victory.
In retribution for daring to oppose him, Eric strips Cagle of his seat as Vice-Chair of the Senate Rules Committee. When Cagle protests, Eric responds “Look, I don’t like you or want you in my Senate. If you don’t like it, run for Lt. Governor. You’ll lose and we’ll be done with you.” That’s a direct quote, folks.
Fast-forward to November, 2006. Cagle is the newly elected Republican Lt. Governor. After 4 years of Eric’s Fuhrer-esque rule, the Senate Caucus is so fed up that they restore the Lt. Governor’s traditional powers UNANIMOUSLY. Eric is no fool. After some initial maneuvering that failed, he backs down and tries to act like he agrees with it.
Cagle, in the spirit of good will, and restoring unity in the Senate Caucus, takes the high road. No vengeance. No stripping of Committees. In fact, he allows Eric to keep his leadership role.
Which brings us to July, 2008. Eric has been calling around the state trying to line up support for his possible LG bid.
His pitch? “The problem is that since the day he won Casey has not done what’s best for the Senate or for the state because he’s all caught up in being Governor. I ran the Senate far better than Casey has. I just want to clean up Cagle’s mess and just serve a term or two. I don’t want to be Governor.” Yeah right. And folks, I’m quoting from the pitch he gave me!
Unquestionably, this is one of the most stunning displays of ingratitude in Georgia political history.
Trashing the very man who graciously allows your pathetic political career to survive, that’s the Eric Johnson people at the Capitol have to deal with everyday.
Help us show Eric Johnson the door!
By RJ
July 27, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
GOP Senator, I always thought Eric was a jerk who got lucky. You just confirmed it.
Hopefully, he is on the path to obscurity where he belongs. Georgia will be better off as a result of it.
By Gary
July 28, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this
Johnson doesn’t have a chance in the Lt. Governors Race. Chip Rogers of Woodstock will win the GOP primary because he has alot more accomplishments and does a better job in the Senate than Johnson. Sounds likes ole Eric has made him some enemies these last 4 years. Also I did not vote for Cagle and also had him as my state Senator all these years. However, since he became Lt. Governor I have seen more leadership out of him than when he was just a Senator and will support his Governor bid in 2010 should he so choose to run.
By Another GOP Senator
July 29, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
I can verify what GOP Senator has said here.
See ya Eric.