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DEL.ICIO.USThis election may spark another confrontation between Thurbert Baker and Republicans
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Fulton County Daily Report today says a legal fight is brewing between Attorney General Thurbert Baker, a Democrat, and the GOP-dominated State Election Board.
Says the newspaper:
A budding dispute between the State Election Board and Attorney General Thurbert E. Baker could lead to new litigation over the issues that drove Perdue v. Baker, the 2003 Georgia Supreme Court ruling that favored the AG in a dispute with the governor over who controlled the state’s litigation decisions.
J. Randolph “Randy” Evans, general counsel for the state Republican Party and a member of the election board, said Baker has twice refused an order from the Republican-dominated board to inform the Democratic Party of Georgia that its continued challenge to the state’s voter ID law constitutes frivolous litigation.
Baker’s office would not comment on whether it has refused such a request, citing attorney-client privilege. “While Mr. Evans may have an affinity for political muckraking and legal over-reaching,” said Baker spokesman Russ Willard, “our office will continue to govern its actions based on what is legally appropriate and in the best interests of the people of Georgia.”
Here’s a related fact to chew over: Only last week, Baker announced the formation of an “election task force” and a voter hotline — (404) 651-9303 — to field questions from citizens who have election-related legal questions. Secretary of State Karen Handel, the Republican who oversees state elections, offers many of the same services.
In other words, Baker, who serves as counselor to both Handel and the State Election Board, is offering himself up as a first responder, and first arbiter, over violations of election law. We live in interesting times.
Comments
By The Snark
October 21, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
Did it ever occur to anyone that Baker may actually just be following the law? If he gets a frivolous request from a partisan to attack the opposition, he certainly isn’t bound to obey it. Baker has consistently proven he is fair. Why assume every action has nothing but a partisan motive?
By Sir Winston
October 21, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
Forget the Republicans and Baker. What about what Sen Joe “Gaffman” Biden said on Sunday? Biden, the idiot, said that “mark my words that this country will get hit if Obama is elected.” I have an idea. Let us save lives and vote for McCain. Biden and Obama are ready for primetime. Peace.
By Randy Evans
October 21, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
All name calling by Mr. Baker’s staff aside, the fundamental question that the titular head of the Democratic Party of Georgia and current Attorney General must answer is why would he put the interests of his political party ahead of the interest of Georgia taxpayers in refusing to hold the Democratic Party of Georgia accountable for the attorneys fees incurred by the State in defending against frivolous lawsuit challenging a photo ID law after the United States Supreme Court and many other courts have all upheld it as Constitutional?
By Joe Six-Pack
October 22, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
It seems to me that Mr. Evans’ comments are like a porcupine calling someone else prickly. Aside from the fact that Mr. Evans is counsel for the Georgia Republican Party and as partisan as anyone, it seems to me that Mr. Baker has been kicking The Democratic Party’s butt in court and upholding the very law the GOP enacted. I wonder if Mr. Evans would be defending a Democratic Party-passed law as vigorously as Mr. Baker has defended the Republican-passed photo ID law? Between the two, Mr. Baker has shown he is a true servant of the people and not of any political party. Instead of criticizing Mr. Baker, Mr. Evans should be thanking him for a job well done….but I guess the counsel for the Republican Party can’t do that and stay counsel!