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DEL.ICIO.USThe Speaker’s solution for an active duty lawmaker
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A little catch-up:
House Speaker Glenn Richardson sent out a note yesterday intended to resolve the matter of state Rep. Doug Collins of Gainesville, who is an Air Force chaplain currently in serving in Iraq.
Collins had written a letter to members of the House Republican Caucus laying out his effort to participate in Monday’s vote to select caucus officers, including the speaker — who’s opposed by state Rep. David Ralston of Blue Ridge.
Collins, by way of background, was one of those Republicans punished for opposing Richardson’s choice for chairman of the state transportation board.
House Republican Caucus rules require personal attendance at the 10 a.m. meeting. No proxies allowed. But with Collins’ letter circulating, Richardson has proposed a change in rules that would allow exceptions for lawmakers in uniform.
However, the Richardson solution also requires a signed letter giving voting power to a colleague. We e-mailed Collins yesterday to see whether he’s done that. If not, then the situation remains basically unchanged and Collins is out of luck. Iraq is far away, and notarized mail is slow.
Ralston, by the way, has sent a letter to all House Republicans, explaining his reason for challenging Richardson. The communication includes this line to reassure those who hold committee chairmanships and more:
“This campaign is not about a wholesale cleaning out. It is about new leadership that will reflect the best of our caucus and will advance the ideals we all embrace in a positive, open and productive manner.”
Read the speaker’s voting proposal and Ralston’s letter in their entirety on the jump.
FROM HOUSE SPEAKER GLENN RICHARDSON
Dear Caucus Members,
As most of you know, our fellow House member Doug Collins is serving in the Armed Forces in Iraq. We are all very appreciative and supportive of his service to our country. And, I hope all of you will join me in not only thanking Doug for his service but wishing him a prompt and safe return.
As a result of his service, he will be unable to attend the Caucus meeting on Monday. So, to allow him to participate, I have prepared the attached proposed rule change to the House Republican Caucus rules.
In accordance with rule 22, this memo serves as written notice to the members of the caucus at least three days in advance of any vote to amend. I have asked retired Lt. Colonel Amos Amerson to present this rule change on my behalf. I hope you will adopt this unanimously at our meeting on Monday. Thank you.
Glenn Richardson
DATE: November 6, 2008
RE: AMENDMENT TO HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS RULES and the Rules for the Nomination of Candidates for Speaker and Speaker Pro Tem and for Election of Republican Caucus Officers, Georgia House of Representatives, Revised February 13, 2001.
In accordance with Rule 22, I hereby offer for your consideration the following amendments to the Caucus Rules. The purpose of these amendments would be to create a method for voting by proxy in Caucus elections only.
Amendment to HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS RULES:
- There shall be no voting by absentee ballot, however, voting by proxy shall be permitted as specifically expressed in the Rules for the Nomination of Candidates for Speaker and Speaker Pro Tem and for Election of Republican Caucus Officers.
Amendments to: Rules for the Nomination of Candidates for Speaker and Speaker Pro Tem and for Election of Republican Caucus Officers:
In all cases, election to a caucus office shall require a majority vote of the caucus members voting either in person or by proxy as permitted in Rule 9.
Proxy votes from absent caucus members will be counted only if the absent member is serving on active duty in a branch of the United States Armed Forces and cannot attend the election meeting in person because of such duty and has, in writing, designated an eligible member of the caucus as their proxy to vote in his or her stead and has delivered such writing to the caucus Secretary prior to the election of the caucus officers.
RALSTON LETTER
On Monday, our House Majority Caucus will make a very solemn and serious decision. We will come together to choose our new leadership for the 2009-2010 term.
The decision we make will define us as a Caucus and send a message to those who placed their trust in us to represent them in the Georgia House of Representatives.
After much prayer and careful deliberation, I have announced my intention to offer for the position of Speaker of the House.
I do not do this out of anger. I am not angry nor am I bitter. Speaker Richardson has been, is, and will continue to be my friend.
I do not do this because of some unbridled ambition. I have no desire to ever seek another office if you honor me by election to this position of trust.
My reasons for seeking to become Speaker are straightforward. Like many of you, I believe strongly that we must have change for the future of our Caucus, the Republican party and the people of Georgia.
We have become defined as a chamber where heated rhetoric, name-calling and in-fighting have become the order of the day.
We suffer as a chamber from our lack of cooperation and meaningful dialogue with the executive branch and the other legislative body.
Finally, we have allowed a closed leadership system to develop, one which devalues respect for all individual members, has become intolerant of independent thought, and has promoted retribution and intimidation as leadership tools.
I have committed to this race because I am convinced that a change in leadership is the only way we can govern effectively and preserve our majority.
At this time in our state’s history, it is essential that we have strong, stable and civil leadership. We will continue to have differences with the executive branch and the State Senate, but we must be prepared to work those differences out in more productive and less publicly acrimonious ways.
Every member of our Caucus represents Georgians who elected them to do what is right. As a result, every member is entitled to respect and to full participation. We must empower our Caucus to have input into our positions.
We must also never forget that we are Republicans. As Republicans, we must not only stand for the principles that make us different, but we must never forget that we are held to a higher standard by both who support us as well as those who would seek to tear us down.
My Republican roots run deep. My commitment to this party has been proven. Having served in the minority in the Georgia General Assembly, I do not want to go back. However, the people of Georgia did not give us a permanent lease on the House. Just as our brothers and sisters forfeited their leadership position in Washington, we are in danger of doing the same.
Most importantly, we must be always mindful that the chamber in which we serve is truly the “people’s House.” We have been chosen by the people of Georgia to represent and serve them - not other politicians.
I have the leadership skills needed for this job. I do not have to change who I am. This campaign is not about a wholesale cleaning out. It is about new leadership that will reflect the best of our Caucus and will advance the ideals we all embrace in a positive, open and productive manner.
I hope you will join with me on Monday in a vote that will say to our citizens that we will put them first again and will send a strong, clear message that it is time to put aside the ways we have tried in the past and get about the people’s business.
The people of Georgia want to be able to have respect for and pride in their House again. With your help, we will make that wish a reality.
Respectfully,
David Ralston
Comments
By gafarmer
November 7, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
Ralston seeks a job herding cats. Richardson has proven he can’t herd cats and will not work with anyone who disents. GIVE RALSTON THE OPPORTUNITY.
By Merely a taxpayer
November 8, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
Wow! Finally a leader is willing to step up to the plate to offer to return control of the Ga House to adults. As a citizen and taxpayer, I am sick to death of the pettiness , arrogance and vindictiveness of Richardson. As a conservative republican, I believe that the “leadership ” practises of Richardson have done harm to our state and party. Instead of displays of public temper tandrums, we elect these people to do the people’s business. We expect them to show some statesmanship and address the serious issues facing our state. No, the House , Senate and Governor will not always agree on the best approach. That is O.K. What we do expect, and deserve , is that our leaders debate their differnces in a repectful manner and reach consensus on addressing our problems. Even before the economic crisis we are facing, we could not afford Richardson’s antics. We certainly cannot afford him now that we have such serious issues to address with the financial distress the state is currently experiencing. It is a pity that the people of Georgia do not elect the Speaker of the House, as we do the Lt. Governor. If we did, Richardson would no longer be Speaker. For those who think that Richardson will be a changed person, now that he has resolved some of his personal issues with the help of his former law partner judge, I respectfully submit to you that * the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior *. To Mr. Ralston: Bless you for for daring to say the the emperor has no clothes. To the members of the House: Search your souls on behalf of the people and the party and do the right thing. It’s a secret ballot, as I understand your rules. Don’t be afraid to vote for the change in leadership which we deserve.
By RLW
November 8, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
House Republicans will do …the right thing …and elect a new Speaker monday morning…they know ….that the Speaker’s arrogance has tainted the entire chamber….they know…..that when they took power in Georgia… just a few short years ago…the People…back in their home districts……believed it would be a change of course to conservative government and the end of 100 years of Democratic control.. the People… are getting the same old bullying inept politics…..the People.. believe…. the public’s trust is being squandered….the People….know their Representatives will do…..the right thing….on monday morning.
By veritas
November 8, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
Any fool can see through this ploy. Only out of expediency does Richardson offer this amendment. Georgia deserves better. Richarson deserves to be sent back home.
By that_guy
November 9, 2008 12:33 AM | Link to this
Two things:
@RLW: Your use of ellipses is appalling. You do know that one period [.] followed by a space [ ] is the customary device for separating sentences from one another (two spaces is okay, too)? Are you drifting in and out of consciousness? Please, I know it’s the Internet, but that’s no reason to abandon all semblance of proper grammar.
@veritas: Exactly what is this ‘ploy’? Perhaps it is some sort of ploy for Speaker Richardson to finally propose the amendment to the Caucus Rules instead of having proposed them weeks or months ago, but surely you don’t mean that allowing an active duty caucus member to vote by proxy is a ploy that could somehow aid the speaker’s Machiavellian plan for world domination starting with the Georgia House of Representatives. Rep. Collins is the type of person this state truly needs studying the problems and issues before us. His vote in caucus is an informed and thoughtful vote as he is an informed and thoughtful man. And yes, he really is overseas, and he really is concerned about wanting to vote in the caucus.
I’m unclear on exactly what is this ‘ploy’. I’d think, as it’s termed over at Peachpundit.com, the Speaker’s action is more of a “reaction” to having this matter aired publicly (thus shedding further light on his penchant for not seeing things until he trips over them) when he could have addressed it back when it wasn’t an issue at all.
Ok, one more thing:
Speaker Richardson is a pretty entertaining guy. I mean ‘entertaining’ in the sense that the hits just keep coming with him. Honestly, when you see his scarlet countenance raving and ranting before a Chamber breakfast or a television camera, don’t you just chuckle to yourself? No? Well, true, he is in a position of tremendous power in state government, and he does seem to have a stranglehold on the position for the time. That said, I know I just grin from ear to ear and chuckle quietly to myself whenever I hear him getting all wound up. I’m the same way with Rep. Dubose Porter (What a great name by the way. It reads like the marquee at a jazz club, I think.), although he does it on purpose.
Yes, Speaker Richardson needs to go. In part because he has demonstrated his lack of diplomatic skill necessary to forge coalitions to accomplish his policy goals. The quality of his policy goals are a “whole ‘nuther” conversation entirely, but foremost, a speaker should at minimum have the tact, the skills, and the prudence to determine which policies to pursue openly as platforms, which policies to pursue quietly as possibilities, and which policies not to touch with a ten-foot pole and the ability to achieve those policies in what is a very limited amount of time.
Mostly, and I say this as a Republican who holds to his party because of the platform rather than its recent practices, the Speaker needs to go because he is primarily responsible for tarnishing the state GOP’s image. The legislative failures of the last two sessions have been the result of a three-way dysfunction involving the Lt. Gov., the Gov., and the Speaker, but it is the latter’s public image of irascible childishness, the “frat boy” shenanigans, and the petty backbiting and payback that have communicated his incompetence in that position. Granted, state Republicans did remarkably well, considering the national trends against that party this cycle; however, they did especially remarkably well in light of the aforementioned local failure. I believe this speaks more to Georgia’s hesitancy to throw her lot in with what the Democratic party stands for nationally than it does any wholehearted approval of the recent state (or national) GOP performances.
I can’t speak authoritatively to any comparison of the Speaker to men who have held that position in the past, as their reigns were before my time, but I can say that Speaker Richardson’s antics, when taken together with the abysmal performance of the legislature in recent sessions, will be the reason the GOP loses its power when the time comes when this state isn’t quite so red anymore.
The Republican party must do some serious soul-searching and make changes that are more than skin-deep if it expects to make any real difference in the years ahead. This is true at the state level as well as the national level, and I’m not alone when I say removing Speaker Richardson needs to be part of that self-betterment. I mean, really: is he the best we can do?
By epol
November 9, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
I see all five of you who are voting for the Ralston have chimed in here. Looking forward to your churlishness and childishness to rear its head again on the day after.
You hypocrisy is so outrageous that it is laughable. Everything you accuse the Speaker of, you pile high times ten.
Look in the mirror children and see who you really are.
See you After the election when you are proven wrong again!
By RLW
November 9, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
epol......your zipper's downBy epol
November 9, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
YOU prove my point RLW! How childish!