Your morning jolt: A call for the speaker’s resignation, and the possibility of another Carter in the state Senate
In a carefully worded editorial this morning, the Brunswick News this morning has become the first newspaper in the state to publicly call for House Speaker Glenn Richardson’s resignation. The coastal enclave is a large source of Republican votes and cash.
Wrote the newspaper:
He’s telling everyone he can handle the stress of his job, of being the leader of the House and with his weighty personal issues.
Given the trauma in Rep. Richardson’s life, given his attempt at suicide just weeks ago and given the tremendous revenue problems pressing down hard on the state and its taxpayers in all 159 counties today, it would be best for all concerned for Richardson to resign as Speaker of the House.
And the sooner, the better. It’s difficult enough to deal with inner turmoil without the added load of having to deal with a grizzly bear of a budget mess because of a sick economy.
Just as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, there will be more budget cuts, more financial pain in the months ahead.
Rep. Richardson’s primary focus right now should be on himself.
Good health comes first. Always. And that includes good mental health.
We told you early last summer that U.S. State Department types had been snooping around the state Capitol, asking questions about Sen. David Adelman (D-Decatur).
The White House announced on Thursday that it wants Adelman be the next ambassador to Singapore, subject to the approval of the U.S. Senate.
Adelman, an attorney, was an early Barack Obama supporter, and helped spearhead the state effort that won 47 percent of the vote in November. He worked in the Iowa caucus for Obama as well.
Adelman’s consideration for an ambassadorship has been an open secret – the question was the country of destination – and much of DeKalb County has been buzzing about who will compete for his seat. Presumably a special election is in the offing.
One possible result of the White House appointment is the return of a Carter to the state Senate. Jason Carter, the grandson of the former president, is said to be interested.
Jimmy Carter of Plains, Ga., served two terms in the chamber, leaving in 1966 to run for governor. His cousin Hugh Carter took his place.
Over at Creative Loafing, Thomas Wheatley has discovered that the cult of Clark Howard lives on:
The city’s penny-pinching guru earned 33 votes in nearly every Atlanta race [on Nov. 3], including mayor, City Council president and Atlanta school board.
Wheatley delves through other write-in choices as well.
For instant updates, follow me on Twitter.
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115 comments Add your comment
Ga Values
November 20th, 2009
8:45 am
I agree with the Brunswick News. We need a speaker who can concentrate on solving Georgia’s problems not his own.
UGA Law
November 20th, 2009
8:54 am
We are desperate for strong leadership at the capitol. We need aggressive job creation programs and metro area growth intiiatives. What we don’t need is a Speaker who everyone must treat with kid gloves lest he do something awful.
Really, Richardson should resign. Suicide is terrible, but misunderstood and particular to the individual. Are we sure that he’ll get better before the session starts? Can he handle the stress of what will be an incredibly difficult session?
And who would criticize the man? Would vocal and strong dissent be self-censored because they wouldn’t want to cause Richardson to attempt suicide again? Would the Democrats be cowed into submission lest they be fingered for indirectly offing the Speaker?
Richardson is a disturbed man, and we don’t need disturbed men running this ship of our state. If we knew he was better, then we could move forward. But as long as there’s this big question mark hanging over our heads, I’d rather choose another man to be Speaker and let Richardson sort out his personal problems before handing over the keys to my state.
What?!
November 20th, 2009
8:58 am
While I understand folks are concerned he might be not able to handle the load of his job, the flip side is what is going to happen to someone who so recently was suicidal when they are out of a job and publically humilated. And don’t say, “Well, he shouldn’t have come out with this personal information.” He really didn’t have a choice based upon what I read – someone who didn’t have his best interest at heart was about to come out for him with this info. Bad position to be in.
Gomer
November 20th, 2009
9:01 am
It’s time for the Speaker to step down!
Mableton MOM
November 20th, 2009
9:13 am
I don’t think a man who thinks his only solution is suicide has the solutions that the State of Georgia needs.
Jessica
November 20th, 2009
9:13 am
I disagree. All of us go through rough patches in our lives. He reached a breaking point and the suicide attempt was not only a cry for help but could have been his “rock bottom”. After you reach rock bottom, you start to seek help and feel better. I don’t think he should lose his job because of this. Let’s not send other people who strugge with depression back to that dark place of not wanting to get help because of fear they will be judged to the point of losing their job. If he continue to get the help he needs and take his medication, he can function as a very responsible House Speaker. Continue to pray for him.
Deja Vu
November 20th, 2009
9:15 am
To WHAT!?: Is his state of affairs greater than the whole state of Georgia’s affairs? I think not! While I do wish the best for him and I hope that he gets the help he needs, I am not resigned to giving up my rights and all of those of my fellow statesmen so that he can be “happy”. Be gone with him and may he get the assistance that he needs. However not at the expense of me and my children’s future.
Mableton MOM
November 20th, 2009
9:15 am
Wellput UGA LAW
“Richardson is a disturbed man, and we don’t need disturbed men running this ship of our state. If we knew he was better, then we could move forward. But as long as there’s this big question mark hanging over our heads, I’d rather choose another man to be Speaker and let Richardson sort out his personal problems before handing over the keys to my state.”
Atl Gas Lgt
November 20th, 2009
9:16 am
He will do fine and needs to stay.
Barker
November 20th, 2009
9:17 am
How did I miss the news on RIchardson? What happened?
Deja Vu
November 20th, 2009
9:18 am
Jessica, you are a fool! That philosphy might work at bible study, but thet state of Georgia is hardly the place for that brand of idiocy. He can speak for your family if you wish, but I will require someone who is planning on living past Tuesday to speak for me!
Linger Long
November 20th, 2009
9:18 am
We look forward to having a long and profitable relationship with Speaker Richardson
AH
November 20th, 2009
9:20 am
Ok hypocrites what if he had a D by his name?
The story would be how courageous he is for sharing his problem and how strong is to overcome them and just do the peoples work. You would see ‘God Bless’ and ‘We are here for you’ all over this page.
Karl Marx
November 20th, 2009
9:25 am
Speaker Richardson can speak for my family as well. I appreciate what he has tried to do for the property tax payers in this state. Jessica, you are NOT a fool however Déjà vu is. Maybe he will crawl back under the rock from which he came.
Deja Vu
November 20th, 2009
9:26 am
I don’t care WHICH party he represents. THe man attempted to “cash in his chips”. Do you HONESTLY think that his biggest concern is what is happening in the state over his own issues right now? People, not everything is partisan politics. Some of this crap is just plain ol’ common sense. Human behavior is about self-preservation at it’s most basci level. Let him take care of himself now and in the future he can stage a comeback if still interested once he’s healthy.
Whitey
November 20th, 2009
9:27 am
You are all racist, just because Richardson has a problem, and is white and a Republican you wish him out of office, Pelosi, Reid, and Hussein are all certifiablely insane yet no public outcry for their removal…wait yes there is, here is should help :http://www.iamsorryivotedforobama.com/
Athens individual
November 20th, 2009
9:28 am
I am appalled at what people are saying about the Speaker. First of all do any of you asking for him to resign have a clue about what he is going through? No you don’t, so don’t pass judgement unless you are willing yourselves to stand in front of the public and expose your lives too. And don’t say you are not a public figure so you can stand on the sidelines and throw stones at this man. You are making public your comments so step up yourselves. What vices do each of you have that you’d like to share? Shame on you all. I do not know at all what Mr. Richardson is going through, but as someone that has gone through a divorce and as someone that has attempted suicide I know the problems he may have or is facing to some extent. I certainly think it is tragic for this man what he may be facing, but with proper care and counseling he can perform just fine. I have and continue to do exceptionally well in spite of what happened six years ago. I think your comments just show how we care so little for our fellow person, neighbors, and friends. Go look in the mirror and ask yourselves, “Am I able to make strong statements about someone I do not know anything about and know that I am without fault myself?” If you can do this then you pass the test of being the first human free of sin since Jesus. I’ll personally provide each of you the bag of stones to throw if you can pass the test.
Charles T
November 20th, 2009
9:33 am
Resigning is the only honorable thing for the speaker to do !
MC W
November 20th, 2009
9:35 am
Heaven forbid an elected official actually have the same problems as a “normal” member of society…
South Cobb Diva
November 20th, 2009
9:35 am
I haven’t read all the responses, but if the only reason people may be calling the Speaker to step down is because he attempted to take his own life, then that is truly sad. The mentally ill have a bad enough time as it is admitting they need help. Calling for Richardson to resign just for that reason sets the progress of the mental advocates back many years.
BBB
November 20th, 2009
9:37 am
I am not a huge fan of the Speaker. However, who REALLY cares what The Brunswick News thinks?!?!?!
Conservative Voter
November 20th, 2009
9:37 am
Richardson needs to resign. Take care of your own house before you try taking care of the Georgia House. I am not a big fan of the Speaker, but I do vote Republican and even I see the wisdom, for him personally and as a political act, of stepping aside and letting someone else run things who isn’t going to be questioned about his mental fitness at every turn.
Look Alive there are buzzards overhead
November 20th, 2009
9:39 am
If having a mental lapse requires you to resign your position and worries someone about their family’s future then the warped minded president should resign immediately before he totally ruins this country and your children’s future with his socialist/communist plans. Look alive dumacrats.
Deja Vu
November 20th, 2009
9:40 am
Why must race,and party participation always be the shiny marble rolled into the room to distract and derail all of the primates in the cage to the point that the topic of the conversation be overlooked? Stay on topic or go “race-bait” somewhere else. None of that helps this discussion, the state of Georgia, or Richardson.
Georgia Power
November 20th, 2009
9:41 am
We need him as Speaker of the House!
Coastal Cavalier
November 20th, 2009
9:42 am
Read between the lines of the editorial…The most likely successor to Richardson as speaker would be House Majority Jerry Keen of Glynn County. As the leadership of the General Assembly is more concentrated in the metro Atlanta area the paper is looking for a little power for a homeboy.
Deja Vu
November 20th, 2009
9:44 am
I am not in favor of bashing anyone who is struggling personally. Health wise or mentally. However, ask yourself a simple question. Were you to have brain surgery in two weeks….would you be in favor of allowing your brain surgeon to “stay on the job” after he commited suicide?
Deja Vu
November 20th, 2009
9:46 am
Attempted suicide….. sorry
tc
November 20th, 2009
9:51 am
Step down as Speaker but remain as representative for your district for the remainder of your term and let voters decide whether you can continue to repressent them in future.
Dr. Eugene Talmadge
November 20th, 2009
9:52 am
It’s funny how left-wingers who would normally decry this type of suggestion are now embracing it in Romeo Richardson’s sad case. He should actually step down because he’s an egomaniacal jerk. Self-centered people often consider suicide because their brains are wired far more egocentrically than the average person who occasionally think of others.
snd
November 20th, 2009
9:53 am
Jessica – Nobody is calling for him to resign from the House, just his position as speaker. If the voters feel he is not competent to serve at all, they can make that decision next fall.
Boots
November 20th, 2009
9:55 am
I agree with the Brunswick paper, but wonder why the most influential newspaper in the state, the AJC, has remained silent on the issue.
Thoughful
November 20th, 2009
10:06 am
Deja’ Do, I am shocked at you for making a racially insensative remark, calling Blacks “primates” that are qucikly distracted by a “shiny marble”. That same thinking follows the mind set that they are weak, egocentric, and would vote for someone based on skin color and catchy phrases..
Thoughful
November 20th, 2009
10:07 am
On second thought, Deja’ Poo, you’re right, they did…..
Sonny P II
November 20th, 2009
10:10 am
I wanted him gone before all his personal mess started… crappy leader, worse now…
Jack
November 20th, 2009
10:16 am
Speaker is OK by me – everyone in the legislature gets depressed and dumps the issue about their depression on the Speaker
Jessica
November 20th, 2009
10:17 am
@Deja Vu, The name calling is unnecessary and classless. You’re not worth me “going there”.
@snd, I can certainly agree with you and wouldn’t oppose that if that’s the decision that was made.
For me, this has nothing to do with Democrat or Republican, black nor white. I can care less about that in this situation. I can honestly say that I disagree with most every thing Richardson stands for politically. But, beyond politics, he’s a human. Careful how you treat others because you have no idea what the future holds for you or the ones you love.
gwill
November 20th, 2009
10:18 am
My reasons for wanting the speaker to step down has nothing to do with his mental state, but everything to do with his arrogant, hostile and combative personality. Add to that his inability to solve any of the state’s ever-mounting issues. This is what you get with a republican majority at any level.
seahawk
November 20th, 2009
10:21 am
You are no longer playing in the rec leagues, State politics is a Varsity sport and requires a strong constitution and mental outlook. There is no room for mental breakdowns and attempted suicides on this level. Best wishes to you, Glenn. But you gotta go!
Bill
November 20th, 2009
10:24 am
I find it interesting that so many commenters think that those calling for his resignation are left wingers. I don’t know anything about the Brunswick paper, but that area of the state is anything but liberal.
I am a lifelong democrat (yes, you can call me a looney left winger if you like, although I would argue that I am quite moderate). I disagree politially with Glenn Richardson, but I wish him well and do not see a reason to call for his resignation. Although his views are quite different than mine, I assume that he is an honorable man and if he is not up to the task, he will do the right thing.
Knight Writer
November 20th, 2009
10:25 am
All of you bloggers are wasting your time with this story. I’m here to tell you that in the grand scheme of things, Georgia Politics ain’t worth the dirt it’s practiced on. This state is so backwards; the rest of the country laughs at this sorry state becasue it’s so backwards and behind the times. There are too many idiots in leadership, becasue they are followed by more idiots.
How do you even let someone like Richardson even get into office? How gullable ARE the people in this state? This guy tries to kill himself becasue he got a divorce. He got a divroce because his wife thought he was crazy. He’s crazy becasue he probably grew up in podunk Georgia. He’s in office because all of his podunk buddies gave him money and voted for him. In Georgia, it probably only takes about 10 people like Thoughful [sic] to elect him in office, BECAUSE PODUNKS THEMSELVES ARE’NT REALLY POLITICAL IN NATURE; THEY DON’T HAVE AN EDUCATION TO BE POLITICAL; THEY CAN ONLY BE EMOTIONAL (hence the nature of many of these comments on this blog). Why do they not have an education? Because they grew up in a podunk state with podunk (third from the bottom) education. Let’s ponder that one for while people. Once you all begin to understand the real world then you can start name calling and bashing and at least have a shred of credibility to back it up.
tbone
November 20th, 2009
10:25 am
I don’t think he should resign, but he should have a brain transplant. I understand that Ted Williams has one available and he was a man of sober reasonablness as compared to Richardson.
Boots
November 20th, 2009
10:29 am
I don’t need to know all of the details regarding what the Speaker is going through to determine that he’s got more important issues to deal with than the state of Georgia. He needs to step away from the dysfunction of a mismanaged state to handle the dysfunction of his own life. I really don’t think it takes a Freud to understand this decision.
Art Vandalay
November 20th, 2009
10:30 am
couldn’t any of us really be speaker of the Georgia House. New roads, trains are liberal propaganda, every problem in Georgia is caused by minorities in Atlanta, build a highway through east Atlanta nobody cares about intown residents actually lets just pave over all of Atlanta we are better off without them. See I just won every major office in Georgia
William
November 20th, 2009
10:31 am
Hey “Thoughful”. You DIDN’T vote for someone because of there color so I guess that makes you an intellectual genius too
Jimnalph
November 20th, 2009
10:33 am
I thought he should resign the minute he came up with his stupid idea of eliminating the income tax in favor of other non-deductible fees and taxes, which would cost Georgians more than the income tax. And then again when he arranged to have is divorce file sealed. The guy has never been the sharpest tool in the shed.
Derwood
November 20th, 2009
10:51 am
I hope he gets treatment he needs. Now that being said, maybe this will change his attitude. He is a smart elic, self centered, egotistical, selfish typical politician. He and Senate President have same attitude, their way or their way.
Parkerized
November 20th, 2009
10:53 am
You have to be mentally unstable to want to be a politician. The first step is always admitting you have a problem. The next step is deciding if you are going to deal with it or live with it.
aps
November 20th, 2009
10:56 am
Remember when he picked the judge for his divorce then sealed the proceedings from the public afterwards.
ornery
November 20th, 2009
10:57 am
Depression is one thing, suicide or attempted suicide is another.. Also isn’t attempted suicide a crime? Fact is he needs to work on himself, he can keep the seat, but not the speakership. It’s time for the one one and explain it to him. Maybe if he gets better he can run for speaker again. We’re in a situation that requires long hours, strategic leadership and vision. He needs to work on himself..