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Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Here’s a puzzle: Arrington now says he’s still pondering a run for mayor of Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Earlier today, the Insider phoned the office of Fulton County Judge Marvin Arrington, to ask about those City Hall rumors that he was looking at an ’09 race for mayor of Atlanta.
An aide read a statement, quoting Arrington, that said he would not run — though he left open the possibility of reassessing his public service sometime in the future.
The aide promised to e-mail the statement, which arrived several hours later. Yet when it arrived, the statement contained much more wiggle room for the 67-year-old, former Atlanta city council president.
The note said:
“Several influential community leaders recently asked that I consider offering myself as a candidate for Mayor of the City of Atlanta. Having given most of my adult life to furthering the interests of the city and its people, it is a call that I must give serious consideration.
“I am deeply involved in several initiatives to save Atlanta’s youth from the downward spiral of crime. These volunteer efforts along with the daily work of my judgeship on the Superior Court of Fulton County make this a very difficult time to consider redirecting my life.
“However, out of respect for those who have sought me out and because of my love for my hometown and its residents I will consider the implications of redirecting my efforts.
“Be clear. This is not an announcement of my candidacy. I must spend some time pondering the pros and cons of such an effort and I beg everyone’s indulgence as I consult with other civic-minded citizens to determine the course that will be in the best interests of my City and its people.”
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We’ll all wear cardigan sweaters to celebrate
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Organizers of the Democratic National Convention just announced that former President Jimmy Carter has been given a speaking role on the opening night of festivities in Denver.
Monday’s theme is the story of Barack Obama. The featured prime-time speaker will be Michelle Obama. No clue as to where on the program Carter will appear.
The same evening will include a tribute to U.S. Sen. Teddy Kennedy, who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor — and who, by challenging Carter in the 1980 presidential primary, did much to prevent the Georgian from winning a second term.
Not to say that Carter holds a grudge. Just to note that the threads of history are often tangled.
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Chambliss and the Wall Street Journal: Two mugs and a slice of watermelon
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The newspaper may have a reputation as a Republican sounding board, but U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss continues to have a hard time pleasing the Wall Street Journal.
Twice in the last four days, Chambliss’ pen-and-ink mug has graced the paper — at least the on-line version.
Today, it comes with a slice of watermelon.
On Saturday, the WSJ kept up its criticism of the “Gang of Ten,” bipartisan approach to energy legislation. Georgia’s senior senator has been the Republican leader.
The newspaper dubbed it “The Chambliss shimmy.”
Today, the WSJ has a story lamenting a do-nothing Congress that has developed an expertise in meaningless resolutions. Chambliss again figures prominently:
Democratic Rep. Charlie Wilson of Ohio, a fourth-generation undertaker, sponsored a National Funeral Director and Mortician Recognition Day. Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss, whose home state of Georgia has 24,000 acres planted in watermelon, pushed a resolution establishing July as National Watermelon Month.
“As Mark Twain once said, ‘When one has tasted watermelon he knows what the angels eat.’ I encourage my colleagues to join me in acknowledging the wisdom of Mark Twain by supporting this resolution,” Sen. Chambliss said on the Senate floor. The only problem: July is about 14 days late for a Watermelon Month. The crops come in in mid June.
Psssh. Someone’s being a little picky. You want Watermelon Month when you sell them. Not when you harvest them. Watermelon Month in June is a eulogy. In July, it’s a retail tool.
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Rumor-killing in the Big City
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Word has swept through Atlanta City Hall these last few days, perhaps fueled by the withdrawal of Lisa Borders from the ‘09 mayoral race, that Fulton County Superior Court Judge Marvin Arrington was sampling the waters.
It was a tasty rumor. Arrington, for those who need reminding, is a former Atlanta city council president who ran against incumbent mayor Bill Campbell in 1997 — forcing Campbell into a run-off.
Modernists will remember Arrington as the judge who tossed white spectators out of his courtroom this spring so could lecture African-American defendants on citizenship, in a kind of family-oriented atmosphere. Like Bill Cosby.
Like Bill Cosby, and unlike most judges, he’s got a tough-love book. And his own web page.
But alas, Arrington, 67, is not running for mayor. He’s got a formal statement, which will be added to this space as soon as it arrives, that says so. But he leaves himself room to reassess his public service at a future date.
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An admirable rate of exchange: A single Tom Price = seven GOP House members
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This morning on WGAU (1340AM) in Athens, U.S. Rep. Tom Price waxed eloquently on Monday’s fund-raiser in Atlanta for John McCain, on Sam Nunn as veep, and Bob Barr.
Listen here to the sound clip sent by host Tim Bryant.
Of Georgia’s seven GOP House members, Price was the only one to attend the McCain event. And while McCain was a first choice for none of them, Price said talk about the scarcity of congressmen on Monday was “much ado about nothing.”
After all, U.S. Sens. Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss were there, Price said. And this is August — when congressmen have scheduled family vacations and must tend to their own campaigns. Then there’s that nascent revolt that House Republicans are tending in Washington.
So much to do, and so little time.
“I was proud to carry the mantle for all seven Republican congressmen from the state of Georgia — who are all supporting McCain in his bid,” Price said.
The Roswell congressman used some interesting phraseology at the end of his comments on Nunn, whom he recommended that Democrats hire as Barack Obama’s running mate. Said Price:
“I think in the end this election is about who’s at the top of the ticket. And I believe that the individual on the Republican side, Senator McCain, demonstrates the kind of enthusiastic support of American principles and of American vision — he’s not impressed with himself, but he’s impressed with the challenge that we have in leading the nation.”
The emphasis on “American” in the above quote is Price’s own.
Photo credit: Associated Press
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A letter requesting House members to trim that other white meat
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gov. Sonny Perdue and leaders in the House and Senate are in the midst of deciding whose tax breaks to repeal in order to balance this year’s state budget.
Hint: Pig farmers, insurance companies and donors to private schools will be allowed to keep theirs.
Bigger hint: You homeowners probably won’t.
But others are sacrificing, too. Appropriations Chairman Ben Harbin (R-Evans) has written this letter to fellow House members, asking them to go through a $3 million wish-list of local projects that was approved this spring, and pick out the expendable items.
Not an easy task, especially when you consider that these projects — ballfields, building expansions, whatever — are the items that lawmakers point to when they’re up for re-election. Which is only two-and-a-half months away.
“While we are all aware of the importance of these projects to our constituents, I am compelled to request that you follow my lead by reviewing your attached grant(s) and weigh the need for that funding on the local level against the developing crisis on the state level,” Harbin writes.
“Any portion of the $3 million in total local House projects that we return to the general fund may assuage draconian cuts in jobs and services that our citizens depend on for their quality of life.”
The letter went out Aug. 8, and House members have until tomorrow to respond. Silence will be interpreted as permission to cut.
Same thing is happening in the Senate, right? Well, no. My colleague James Salzer writes in today’s AJC:
Staffers at the Department of Community Affairs, which handles the grants, said Senate officials told them to proceed with giving out grants proposed by senators, about $3.25 million worth.
