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DEL.ICIO.USSigns of an uptick in the fortunes of Georgia Democrats
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Since June, the Barack Obama campaign has spoken of Georgia as a prize within its grasp — if not low-hanging fruit, then at least a plum within tiptoe reach.
As a measure of their intentions, Obamites rattle off the number of county offices established throughout the state. Thirty-one, as of this writing.
Republicans scoff. Gov. Sonny Perdue last week portrayed his state as a powerful black hole of GOP influence, and invited Obama to send “millions and millions of dollars” here, so that Georgia might soak up each and every one.
But beyond those 31 leases that Obama supporters have signed for office space, there is evidence that Democrats, after a six-year sojourn in the wilderness, could be on their way back.
This spring, Democrats here and in Washington had to poke, prod and entice Atlanta attorney Jim Martin into the U.S. Senate race against Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss. The only Democrat with statewide credentials joined the race a mere eight months before the November vote.
By comparison, David Poythress might be called a leading market indicator. With two years to spare, the retired adjutant general and commander of the Georgia National Guard has declared the 2010 Democratic nomination for governor to be a prize worth the investment.
Poythress, 64, announced his candidacy last week. Other Democrats, including House Minority Leader DuBose Porter of Dublin, have expressed interest as well.
Politically, the 2010 race for governor is more important to Democrats than a seat in the Senate. With little chance of winning back either chamber in the state Legislature, the Governor’s Mansion is their only chance of a place at the table when — following the 2010 national census — the state’s all-important political boundaries are redrawn.
Poythress is particularly interesting because he fits the Democratic ideal of a statewide candidate in a post-9/11 world, as established by U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall of Macon — who is white, relatively conservative, and brimming with military experience.
This is Poythress’ second try for governor, having lost a primary race in 1998. He’s served as both state labor commissioner and secretary of state.
Appropriately, Poythress draws no connection between his chances and those of the Democratic presidential candidate this year. Like Marshall, who skipped the convention in Denver, Poythress is indifferent to the Obama surge — at least in public.
“Georgia is and always has been fundamentally conservative. It is not fundamentally Republican. Conservative voters in Georgia vote their own mind,” he said in an interview. “I think given the opportunity to vote for a relatively conservative — certainly fiscally conservative, social moderate — with a proven track record, they’ll take it.”
Poythress intends to run against the Republican gridlock that has built in the state Capitol over the last two years. “People who are politically attuned, people who are not politically attuned, say pretty much the same thing. They are not satisfied with what they are getting in the way of state government,” he said.
Transportation, education, and water will be his top issues.
The retired general has been trolling among dissatisfied business leaders. “The feedback is that they’re looking for something that they don’t yet see. Well, hopefully, they see it now,” he said.
Photo credit: David Poythress, by the Associated Press
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Comments
By bridgenowhere
August 31, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
Poythress tends to run amock his own party. They want to raise taxes to give to those who pay none. This state knows better. We drop taxes to raise new business income for local needs. We do not chase away industry that those who do nothing will be well fed.
By RJ
September 1, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
“I think given the opportunity to vote for a relatively conservative — certainly fiscally conservative, social moderate — with a proven track record, they’ll take it.” What is a social moderate? This is old school talk. This guy sounds like a Zell Miller type Democrat. What kind is that? Its the kind that pimps off the party.
Win or lose Democrats should no longer embrace candidates who act like they are shame or affraid to run under the party values. These kind say one thing in day light and do something else in the dark.
Vernon Jones resounding defeat is an excellent example. I’d rather have a do nothing Republican than a pretending Democrat.