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Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Clark Howard for mayor?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thinking Right, an often invaded gathering place for enlightened conservative discourse on the weighty matters of the day, does not usually deign to intrude into local politics. But I must admit to being intrigued by the prospect that penny-pinching consumer advocate Clark Howard is considering a run for mayor of the City of Atlanta after Shirley Franklin.
If so, count me as an early and inspired booster. A penny-pincher would, no doubt, be an ill-fit for a city more noted for pinching taxpayers than pennies. But he intrigues, nonetheless. Like many Americans, I’ve grown disenchanted with politicians who profess one set of values in the campaign and exhibit another in public office. Pork, for example. Republicans railed against it year after year while in the minority. But once in office under the Gold Dome, the aversion to pork seems to have faded. The only way to limit government is not to want anything from it. When Republicans who profess to be fiscal conservatives start thinking their job is to bring home the bacon, all pretense that the expansion of government can be contained is lost.
Whatever his politics — liberal, moderate or conservative — Clark Howard comes across as genuine and honest, qualities highly prized in public office. I know. My wife makes me listen to him in the car. He’s one of those figures, like Oprah Winfrey, who can draw attention, in a good way, to the ideals and values he expresses. Nearing the edge of doubt that there is any such thing as a fiscal conservative in public office, I’m ready to embrace a dyed-in-wool penny-pincher.
Give it a shot, Clark. We need cheapskates in public office.
