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DEL.ICIO.USGas prices, economy making Georgia’s GOP leadership a little less likeable
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gas prices and the economy have resulted in a significant drop in approval for the state’s Republican leaders, according to a poll touted by InsiderAdvantage.
Gov. Sonny Perdue has an approval rating of 52 percent. Usually he’s at 60 percent or beyond.
U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss is at 49 percent (Democrat Jim Martin at 38 percent); U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, 47 percent; and the General Assembly, 29 percent.
Perhaps sensing an opening created by the financial turmoil in New York and Washington, the Democratic leadership of the Legislature late Thursday again called for a special session to handle budget woes — and demanded that the governor cancel a trade mission to Europe that begins Saturday.
“Our colleagues on the other side of the aisle say a special session to address the collapse of state revenues and the perverted spending priorities spawned by the governor’s budget choices would be too costly. But now the governor, just off the plane from a trip to Texas, is jetting off again to Europe,” said state Sen. Robert Brown of Macon. “I wonder how many of Georgia’s war veterans could be cared for with the money being used to fly the governor’s party to China, Europe, and other exotic locales.”
Bert Brantley, a spokesman for the governor, said Perdue considered “all the options that were there” — which presumably included canceling the trip.
“We actually reduced the size of the delegation going because of the budget concerns, and because of the budget cuts,” Brantley said. “But this is an essential function. There are projects in Europe that we are working with very closely. Literally, we could announcements of jobs and investments in the next few months.”
“There’s not much we can do about the timing, but it’s still the right decision to go,” Brantley said in an interview on WGAU (1340AM) in Athens.
Comments
By RJ
September 26, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
Perdue has dismantled the Utilities and Banks Consumer Offices, which advocate for citizens. He proposes the elemination of taxes on higher end retirement incomes, he fumbles his duty to take steps to ensure a steady supply of gas at the pumps, on and on. Who cares where he goes?
As long as Georgia’s electorate continues to reward poorly and none performing elected officials, there will be more of the same.
If you truly possess conservative values then you cannot embrace a political party.
By findog
September 26, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
Sonny’s has reduced his travel by only checking one bag.
By Whitaf
September 26, 2008 10:24 PM | Link to this
Last I heard Georgia had a Department of Economic Development, complete with a commissioner. I believe it is their job to go drum up business for Georgia. I believe our great state constitution identifies the duty of the Governor to run our state.
By SUBURBAN OVERLORD
September 27, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
Someone needs to tell Sonny they don’t sell pulled-pork barbecue sandwiches in Europe. Boy, is he going to be mad and red-faced.
He’s probably trying to lure a French prophylactic plant, employing 20 people, for Houston County. This would be one of Sonny’s greatest economic development “triumphs” for his “legacy.”
By John
September 28, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
GA now has the highest gas prices in the country, GA leadership should be 100% focused on fixing this gas problem in GA.
By LAR
September 30, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this
I’m watching the polls to see how many states in the southeast go from red to blue over the gasoline supply bungling of the GOP. Drill here drill now isn’t going to do a whit of good if hurricanes continue to disrupt distribution. That requires rethinking about infrastructure. You could have oil spills and shortages at the same time.