What (Scott) Brown can do for Georgia
As I wrote earlier, Republican Scott Brown’s victory in Massachusetts means there are no more gimmes in politics for the foreseeable future. There’s just one thing: For the gimmes to end, a lot of people have to run races they otherwise might not have run.
The early signs are that this isn’t happening in Georgia. Our state might seem less prone to the national flavor of anti-incumbency, given that it is controlled by Republicans rather than the Democrats who dominate Washington. But the GOP has ruled Georgia for the better part of a decade now, and fed up is fed up — on all levels, and with all people in power.
Buzz Brockway, the former Gwinnett County GOP chairman, has compiled fund-raising data for candidates in contested state-level races. He’s posted them on the political blog Peach Pundit.
Here are the sad facts according to that data:
In the Georgia Senate, exactly one Republican (Judson Hill) and one Democrat (Vincent Fort) face primary opposition as of today. Just three more incumbents have a challenger from another party. That’s five out of the 50 senators seeking re-election.
Things are almost as bad in the House, where six Republicans and six Democrats must fight primaries. Nine will have opposition in the general election. So, 21 of the 169 representatives running for re-election face some kind of opposition. In just four of the state’s 180 districts will there be a primary battle in at least one party and a contested general election.
Now, most statewide offices are open this fall, and there will be good primary battles among D’s and R’s for most of them. Those races may have sucked some of the life out of the down-ballot races.
But the story of Scott Brown, Republican, and now junior senator from Massachusetts, tells us there are upsets for the taking. Are there any takers?
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55 comments Add your comment
$5000 Dishwasher
January 21st, 2010
5:26 pm
Oh Yay !
Stimulus money as Cash 4 Clunkers Appliances here in Georgia. Coming soon to a store near you.
Obama, Obama, Obama, Obama
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-bargain-hunter/2010/01/20/cash-for-clunker-appliances-georgia-gets-8-6-mill-in-rebate-program/comment-page-1/#comment-3269
SE GA Teacher
January 21st, 2010
5:34 pm
Today was my first day reading your blogs, and I found them interesting. Having lived in Atlanta from ‘71-’94, I saw many changes in the AJC and Atlanta. (We have REALLY been changing down here on the coast, too!) Anyway, I am a teacher who has seen an annual Fulton County paycheck for less than $10,000 for a couple of years beginning in ‘79-’80, but then saw some nice raises. I’ve taught in a good system down here on the coast since 1996 and have enjoyed it, but I’ve never made the money like I did in Fulton. I think the biggest waste of money in school systems is in the new “gotta have” programs that systems buy. There is absolutely no way a school system would disclose what they paid and how long they implemented the program before tossing it aside for a new “save all.”
Hire good, intelligent teachers who really love working with young people and forget all this spending which is obviously wasted.
Michael H. Smith
January 21st, 2010
6:14 pm
Very hilarious this blog, if absurdity entertains the reader. After over 100 years of less than nothing from arrogant Democrats in this state anyone serious expecting a return of that Party to power should seek out profession help. Republicans haven’t done much in less than a decade but at least it didn’t take them over 100 years to do less than nothing. However, Republicans best get about doing something to earn their keep, I doubt Georgia will be as patient as it was stupid in putting up with the do nothing Good Ol’ Boy Back Room Deal arrogant Democrat totalitarianism.
A few of things to take into account for what it’s worth Kyle. Brown simply capitalized on Democrat arrogance and voter – particularly 51% Independent voter – frustration. Frustration which is mirrored throughout the nation, not only as voiced in Massachusetts: We are sick and tired and mad as hell!
Even Obama got that part! As he said, what swept him into office is what swept Brown into office. Only difference, as a co-worker so aptly said today: When Obama was elected the country was sick and tired and mad as hell along with him, now it grows sick and tired and mad as hell, at him and the Democrats.
Something Bill O Reilly might want to consider in his analysis of why Obama went to Massachusetts where it looked like he had everything to lose and nothing to gain: Not true O Reilly, Independents voters elected Obama, he had to show up in self defense to stop bleeding Independent voters who have grown disenchanted with him and his agenda and no longer support him and the Democrats.
Beware Republicans, Independent dissatisfaction with the Democrats, as Kyle rightly said, is no gimme for you. Take some advice from the new Massachusetts Senator: Listen to what the people are saying instead of telling them what you want them to think. If we were begging an elective office to serve you then we might give a hang about what you wanted us to think.
Just a friendly hint Republicans from an Independent Conservative: You get alot further in this life by listening to what others want, than from making – your – demands of them. Something Scott Brown obviously learned a long time ago, when as he said in reply of Teddy Kennedy’s so-called seat in the bluest of blue states: It is the seat of the good people of Massachusetts.
J. Edwards is my baby daddy
January 22nd, 2010
8:35 pm
But Kyle and dewstarpath,
Using the various handles that I use demonstrates the irony of the comment and is part of the humor.
What (Scott) Brown can do for Georgia, part 2 | Kyle Wingfield
January 26th, 2010
8:28 am
[...] response to my post last week about the lack of competition in Georgia House and Senate races, a source who follows state [...]