After All That Hippity-Hoopla About Tim Tebow. . .

. . . The 30-second Super Bowl spot featuring the Heisman Trophy winner and his mother had about as much as controversy as an episode of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood.

In the days leading up to Super Bowl XLIV, women's rights groups got all up in arms over a commercial sponsored by the conservative organization Focus on the Family. Feminist groups, including the National Organization of Women, urged CBS not to run the ad. These women's groups said the Tim Tebow ad was divisive, offensive and demeaning [Crary, David (2010-1-25). CBS urged to scrap Super Bowl ad with Tebow, mom. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved on 2010-1-26.].

Here's the "controversial" TV spot that angered women across the nation:



Now I ask you, what is divisive, offensive and demeaning about that ad. The commercial is actually very moderate, and it is a good piece of marketing for an organization that has been criticized in the past for holding positions out of the mainstream.

Ironically, while the Tim Tebow spot has softened the image of Focus on the Family, the controversy surrounding the ad has left feminist groups looking like extremists who want to suppress the speech of those who don't agree with them.

A round of applause must go out to abortion-rights groups because, in the time it takes me to heat up some Tostitos cheese dip in the microwave, they managed to be out-marketed, out-thought and marginalized by Focus on the Family.

GA Dem Chief: Perdue & GOP Plot To Limit Democracy

Early Friday, Gov. Perdue outlined a proposal that would make the State School Superintendent, Labor, Agriculture and Insurance Commissioners all appointed positions. Currently, the four offices are elected by the people of Georgia [Associated Press (2010-2-5). Ga. governor proposes appointing officers. WTVM-TV. Retrieved on 2010-2-5.].

Jane Kidd, chairman of the state Democratic Party, issued the following statement in response to the Governor's plan:

“This approach continues the Republican ‘top-down’ method of governing. The Republican plan hatched by Perdue, Keen and Heath sounds more like a plot to limit democracy and ignore the Constitution.

“Republicans are now limiting the very positions that our citizens can vote upon. Georgians like their elected public servants to be autonomous and answerable to the people and not be one of the governor's best friends, cronies or political allies.

“Governor Perdue rarely appoints people based upon being ‘most qualified'.

“His proposal goes against every democratic principle that our great nation was founded upon. I reject their argument entirely. It shows contempt for Georgia’s voters.”

Kidd isn't the only one opposing the Governor's proposal.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Republican State School Superintendent Kathy Cox and two conservative groups -- Georgia FreedomWorks and Georgia Tea Party Patriots-- are also against the plan [Gould Sheinin, Aaron and Badertscher, Nancy (2010-2-5). Opposition forms to Perdue restructuring plan. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved on 2010-2-5.].

Also, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Thurbert Baker issued a statement that read in part, "In a state where the right to vote was fought for and advanced, it is insulting to propose taking that right away from people, especially for critical policy making positions that affect so many lives.

"The Governor’s proposal to take away people’s right to vote for four constitutional offices is simply wrong," Baker's statement said.

It is pretty reasonable to assume that Gov. Perdue may have a difficult time securing the 2/3rds majority to pass his consitutional amendment.

Could Iowa Visit By Tom Price Be Prelude To Presidential Campaign?

The Hill reported Thursday that Georgia Congressman Tom Price is headed to Iowa for two events sponsored by the Iowa Republican Party.

Price, the chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee (RSC), will travel to the state for two events on Mon., Feb. 22.

Price will headline a breakfast in Sioux Center and a lunch in Sioux City in Iowa, a state that's home to the first presidential nominating contests. A lawmaker's trip to events like the ones Price will attend can signal that he is testing the waters for a run for the White House.

“Iowans will be able to relate to Congressman Price," Iowa Republican Party Chairman Matt Strawn said in a statement. "He knows that government interference doesn’t always make something better. And he’s putting forth principled solutions for issues that Iowans care about, like healthcare."

O'Brien, Michael (2010-2-4). Rep. Tom Price heading to Iowa. The Hill. Retrieved on 2010-2-5.

Some may read too much into Tom Price visiting Iowa. A presidential run by Price is too unrealistic at this time. He lacks the nationwide network and name ID to be a serious contender for the Republican nomination.

I do believe though that Price is positioning himself to be in the leadership should the GOP win back the majority in the U.S. House. Majority whip or even majority leader isn't too far-fetched.

Deal Announces North Georgia Endorsements For Gubernatorial Campaign

Thursday, Congressman Nathan Deal released the names of more than two dozen elected officials from north Georgia supporting his campaign for governor. The public office holders range from state legislators to mayors of local towns [Johns, Andy (2010-2-4). Deal reels in endorsements across Northwest Georgia. Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved on 2010-2-5.].

Below is a list of local elected officials endorsing Deal for Governor:

Rep. Tom Dickson, Catoosa and Whitfield counties
Rep. Tom Graves, Gordon and Pickens counties
Rep. John Meadows, Gordon and Murray counties
Rep. Jay Neal, Catoosa and Walker counties
Rep. Martin Scott, Dade and Walker counties
Rep. Tom Weldon, Catoosa and Whitfield counties
Rep. Roger Williams, Whitfield County
Sen. Jeff Mullis, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade and Walker counties
Catoosa Commission Chairman Keith Greene
Catoosa Commissioner Ken Marks
Fort Oglethorpe Mayor Ronnie Cobb
Ringgold Mayor Joe Barger
Dade Executive Ted Rumley
Dade Commissioner Peter Cervelli
Dade Commissioner Robert Goff
Trenton Mayor Barton Harris
Gordon Clerk of Court Brian Brannon
Gordon Tax Commissioner Scott Clements
Gordon Commission Chairman Alvin Long
Murray School Board Member Becky Whaley
Murray School Board Member Kay McCurdy
Walker Sole Commissioner Bebe Heiskell
Walker Clerk of Court Carter Brown
Rossville Mayor Johnny Baker
Chickamauga Mayor Ray Crowder
LaFayette Mayor Neal Florence
Whitfield Commission Chairman Mike Babb
Whitfield Clerk of Court Melica Kendrick
Dalton Mayor David Pennington
Varnell Mayor Dan Peeples
Whitfield Tax Commissioner Danny Sane

How They Voted: Raising The National Debt By $1.9 Trillion

Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to raise the national debt to $1.9 trillion [Associated Press (2010-2-4). House Allows Debt to Rise $1.9 Trillion. New York Times. Retrieved on 2010-2-5.]. After the vote, Georgia Republican Lynn Westmoreland issued the following statement to the press:

“We Georgians know that our state got its start as a British debtors’ colony. We’ve come a long way since then, but it seems we’re going to return to our roots with a national government that has refused to make hard decisions. President Obama and leaders in the Democratic Congress have given a lot of lip service lately to fiscal responsibility and righting the ship, and all that makes for great sound bites. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen those pretty words followed up with policies that would begin to dig us out of this hole. In fact, today, the House dug the hole significantly deeper, so that the Democratic Congress can continue to allow domestic spending to explode.

“God forbid that we should have to respond to another national tragedy such as Sept. 11. We have gotten so far out on a limb that we’re in danger of not being able to borrow money when our security is on the line.”

Here's how Georgia's congressional delegation voted on raising the national debt:

	Yea	Nay	Present	Did Not Vote
John Barrow	X
Sanford Bishop	X
Nathan Deal		X
Phil Gingrey		X
Hank Johnson	X
Jack Kingston		X
John Lewis	X
John Linder		X
Jim Marshall	X
Paul Broun		X
Tom Price		X
David Scott	X
Lynn Westmoreland		X

Perdue: Appoint, Not Elect The Insurance, Labor and Agriculture Commissioners

For years, Georgia voters have elected the State School Superintendent, Agriculture, Insurnace and Labor Commissioners as well as the State School Superintendent. But under a new plan by Governor Perdue, those positions would be appointed beginning in 2014.

Gov. Sonny Perdue will announce plans today for a major restructuring of state government that would make four constitutional offices appointed, rather than elected, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has learned.

Perdue’s plan, which would require approval of voters in November, would allow future governors to appoint the state’s insurance, labor and agriculture commissioners, as well as the state school superintendent.

“Many states have moved towards a cabinet form of government so that agency heads can focus on policy outcomes and not worry about the next election cycle,” Perdue spokesman Bert Brantley said Thursday.

Gould Sheinin, Aaron (2010-2-5). Perdue seeks a shake-up of state government. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved on 2010-2-5.

Lately, I've been talking a lot about Georgia needing bold and visionary leaders. This new idea by Gov. Perdue certainly qualifies as bold. Anything that re-structures government is a bold idea.

Since Perdue's proposal is a constitutional amendment, it will require a 2/3rds vote in both the Georgia House and Senate. There are 104 Republicans in the House and 34 Republicans in the Senate meaning that a handful of Democrats need to support the measure in order for it to be placed on the November ballot.

I agree with Perdue's spokesman. Officials in charge of state agencies should be focus on policy, not elections. Making the State School Superintendent, Agriculture, Insurance and Labor Commissioners appointed rather than elected would allow these officials to work towards efficiency instead of the next campaign.

And, for those wondering about the loss of checks and balances, the Georgia Senate would check the governor's power by confirming his or her appointees with a vigorous debate over their qualifications (including, I hope, confirmation hearings open to the public).

Democrat Teilhet Served As Legal Counsel For Failed Insurance Co.

The lingering stench coming from the collapse of a large, Georgia-based insurance company has now drifted over the campaign of a candidate for Attorney General.

Southeastern U.S. Insurance (SEUS), which once boasted being the state's eighth largest workers' compensation insurer, went under last year after an investigation by the State Insurance Commissioner showed questionable Enron-like accounting practices that saw the company inflating its assets while dramatically understating liabilities [Ginsberg, Jodi (2010-1-18). Business Practices of Georgia Workers’ Comp Company Compared to Enron. Georgia Workers Compensation blog. Retrieved on 2010-2-5.]. The SEUS investigation was triggered by a $10 million loan from the company to its CEO, M. Clark Fain, III [Sepulvado, John and Green, Emily (2009-11-9). GA Insurer Loaned $10 Million to CEO Before Being Liquidated. Georgia Public Broadcasting. Retrieved on 2010-2-5.].

State Rep. Rob Teilhet (D - Smyrna), a Democratic candidate for Attorney General, served as the failed company's corporate legal counsel between 2006 and 2008 [SOURCE: Rob Teilhet Campaign Web Site]. The next year, the assets of SEUS were placed into liquidation by a Fulton County judge [Atlanta Business Chroncicle (2009-10-26). Southeastern U.S. Insurance liquidated. Atlanta Business Chronicle. Retrieved on 2010-2-5.].

According to the Georgia Municipal Association, the collapse of SEUS left 49 cities --including the south Georgia city of Arlington-- without workers' compensation insurance coverage [Jennings, Christian (2009-12-30). Arlington city clerk comments on Southeastern U.S. Insurance. WALB-TV. Retrieved on 2010-2-5.].

The lengths of Teilhet's involvement with SEUS' business practices has yet to be revealed. However, it is extremely important for the Cobb County Democrat to fully disclose what he knew and when he knew it about SEUS as voters begin considering candidates for public office.

Adelman Starts Confirmation Process For Ambassador Nomination

Tuesday, state Senator David Adelman appeared before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee for the first hearing of his confirmation process to be the next Ambassador to Singapor.

Adelman was nominated by President Obama last year. Below is the text of Sen. Adelman's remarks to the Foreign Relations Committee:

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee,

It is a privilege to appear before you today. I am humbled by the President's and Secretary Clinton's confidence in me. If confirmed, I look forward to working closely with you and other Members of Congress to advance U.S. policy in Singapore.

Before I begin, I hope you will allow me to introduce to the Committee and publicly thank my family. My wife, Caroline, and our three children Oscar, Leah and Avery are here with me today. They have sacrificed and supported me at every stage of my career, and, if confirmed, I am certain they will be excellent representatives of our country and great assets to our mission in Singapore.

My mother and father are also here. I learned the value of hard work and the importance of family from my parents. Thank you for allowing me to publicly thank them for the sacrifices they have made for my brother Mark and me.

I have enjoyed a career in public service and in the private sector. For three years, I served in state government as an Assistant Attorney General in Georgia. I am currently a member of the Georgia State Senate. I have taught courses in political science as an Instructor in the Honors Program at the University of Georgia. I have been in the private practice of law for the better part of 20 years with a large national law firm representing American businesses and individuals in complex matters. In addition to my commercial law practice, for many years I have represented indigent veterans on a pro bono basis before the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, and I have served as a legal adviser to my state’s largest domestic violence organizations. If confirmed, the experience I have gained and the lessons I have learned in my government service and in the private sector will serve me well in Singapore.

The United States is actively working to reinvigorate our relationship with Asia, and our mission in Singapore can help lead the way. I would like to highlight the latest developments in our ongoing partnership with Singapore on some of the most important current international issues.

At the outset, I would like to express my appreciation for Singapore’s contributions to the relief and recovery efforts in Haiti. The Government of Singapore has provided financial support through the UN fund, and a local NGO rapidly organized an eight-member medical team to travel to Haiti within days of the earthquake. This effort is just the latest demonstration of Singapore’s commitment to be a constructive force in the world.

Over the past three years, Singapore has steadily increased its support to the multinational stabilization and reconstruction activities underway in Afghanistan. Singapore’s Armed Forces have contributed medical and engineering teams to Southern and Eastern Afghanistan. In September 2009, Singapore deployed the first of two Weapon Locating Radar teams it will operate out of Oruzgan Province.

Singapore plays an integral role in the global efforts to address the growing threat of piracy in the Gulf of Aden. This year, Singapore sent a ship with two helicopters and approximately fifty personnel to patrol waters off the Coast of Somalia as part of the Combined Task Force 151. And, on January 20 Singapore assumed command from the United States of CTF 151.

Singapore’s commitment to free trade, openness to foreign investment, sound economic management, and maintenance of world-class port facilities has led to the development of extensive economic ties between our two countries. Our Free Trade Agreement with Singapore has been a great success. U.S. companies have invested tens of billions of dollars in Singapore, and more than 20,000 American citizens reside there. Furthermore, Singapore’s leadership in APEC has assured regional progress toward free and open trade and investment, and facilitated growth of small and medium business enterprise activity in the Asia Pacific.

While Singapore has not been immune to the recent financial downturn, U.S.-Singapore economic cooperation has remained vigorous, and we now see strong, positive long-term economic trends developing. After contracting for a year, Singapore’s economy is exhibiting signs of recovery and with it expanding opportunities for mutually beneficial business between the United States and Singapore.

Our friendship with Singapore is strong and enduring. The continued partnership between our two countries serves as a solid anchor for our successful engagement with all of Asia. If confirmed, I look forward to serving and leading our mission in Singapore, as we go from strength to strength building on the many ways in which we work together to promote a more secure and prosperous world.

Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. I welcome your questions.

Reptile Keepers Say Regulating Reptiles May Cost Georgia Jobs

Last month, State Senator John Douglas (R - Social Circle) introduced a bill that would require owners of certain reptiles including pythons and anacondas to obtain a wild animal license.

Sen. Douglas' bill has fired up the United States Association of Reptile Keepers (USARK) who, yesterday, issued a press release opposing S.B.303 saying that the legislation could cost Georgia jobs.

USARK says legislation's permit system and micro chipping provision could put reptile farmers out of business and take away the ability of people to own animals that are currently legal to own in Georgia.

Andrew Wyatt, President of USARK, insists that what is being proposed in GA will not add any level of secure containment. Wyatt says, "the bill we wrote and helped pass in NC addresses specific concerns with secure containment, safety and escape prevention that are not addressed in S303. Additionally it costs nothing and does not require state Dept of Natural Resources to administer. It is written into criminal statute."

S.B. 303 is currently pending in the Senate Natural Resources & Environment Committee.

Senators Introduce Saturday Voting Bill

Tuesday, a group of Democratic state Senators led by Gail Buckner (D - Jonesboro) introduced legislation that would provide for early voting to occur on Saturdays.

Senate Bill 348, if passed, would allow the elections office in each county to open up for at least one Saturday for early voters and people turning in their absentee ballots.

The bill was referred to the Senate Ethics Committee.

In Case You Missed It: Hardie Davis Elected To State Senate

In case you missed it, Tuesday was election day for voters in the 22nd state Senate district.

Former state Representative Hardie Davis faced off against Harold Jones in the run-off election for the state Senate seat once held by Ed Tarver who resigned last year to become U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

The Augusta Chronicle reports that Davis beat Jones 5,801 votes to 4,655.

Davis told the Chroncile that he hopes to get sworn in quickly so that his district won't continue to lack representation in the state legislature [Edwards, Johnny (2010-2-3). Davis wins runoff for Senate seat. Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved on 2010-2-3.].

Oddly enough, the results of the first election held during the tenure of Secretary of State Brian Kemp aren't listed on the Secretary of State's website even though those same results can be found on the Augusta-Richmond County Board of Elections web page.

Cory Ruth Becomes Latest Republican To Challenge Hank Johnson

Tuesday, Cory Ruth filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission to run for U.S. Representative from Georgia's 4th congressional district.

Ruth plans to announce his candidacy February 13th. Ruth faces Liz Carter and Larry Gause in the July Republican primary.

For more information, visit www.coryruth.com.

Poythress Pledges Not To Get Paid Until Unemployment Drops

In Tuesday's Democratic gubernatorial debate, David Poythress announced that he would refuse his salary as governor until Georgia's unemployment rate dropped below 7%.

"I'm willing to the walk the walk with folks, and I will share in the sacrifice until we get people back to work, period," Poythress said.

The Poythress campaign called his announcement the "memorable moment" in the debate.

Georgia's Legislative Black Caucus Joins Facebook

The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, a group of fifty-two black legislators, joined the Facebook generation Tuesday.

The group's Facebook page can be found here.

Republican Raises Over $200,000 For Agriculture Commissioner Bid

The Gary Black campaign announced Tuesday that a fundraiser at Turner Field's 755 Club raised over $200,000 for the Republican's agriculture commissioner bid.

The event was attended by over 300 guests including the chairmen of the House and Senate agriculture committees.

"Agriculture is the number one industry in the state of Georgia. Gary Black has proven he understands what it will take to assure that in the 21st century, agriculture remains an integral part of a growing economy in our state. Gary Black knows agriculture and those of us involved in agriculture know Gary Black. He has earned our trust and our support. He surely has mine," Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Bulloch (R - Ochlocknee) said.

Gary Black, who currently serves as president of the Georgia Agribusiness Council, welcomed the support for his campaign to become the state's first Republican agriculture commissioner.

"We are gratified to have such a warm response to our program to assure safe food, strong farms, and responsible government. It is clear to me the plan we outlined for the first 90 days in office is one that is truly responsive to what Georgians expect from the Agriculture Department," said Black.

Lee May: I'm not running for Congress

For weeks now, there has been speculation that DeKalb County Commissioner Lee May would join Vernon Jones and Connie Stokes in the race to unseat 4th district Congressman Hank Johnson.

Tuesday's Atlanta Journal Constitution put an end to that speculation:

DeKalb County Commissioner Lee May will not run for Congress so he can focus on the county’s deficit.

On Monday, May told the AJC that he decided not to enter the race and finish the remaining two years of his commission term.

Matteucci, Megan (2010-2-1). DeKalb commissioner not running for Congress. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved on 2010-2-2.

A recent poll showed Hank Johnson holding a "dominating" lead over both Jones and Stokes.

Democrats Say GOP Paying Lip-Service To Ethics Reform

The following is a press release issued by the state Democratic Party Monday in response to the news that State Ethics Commission member Robert Proctor was fined by the body he now serves on six years ago, but refuses to comply with the body's order [McWhirter, Cameron (2010-2-1). Ethics panel member says 2004 lobbyist fine invalid. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved on 2010-2-2.]

As his final act as interim speaker of the Georgia House, Representative Mark Burkhalter (R-Johns Creek) appointed a board member to the State Ethics Commission that was previously found in violation of ethics charges by the same board.

In 2004, the State Ethics Commission ruled against Robert Proctor, an Atlanta attorney, and ordered Proctor to pay a $1,000 fine, register as a lobbyist and file financial disclosure forms for 2003 and 2004. Proctor admits to doing none of these things, yet was appointed by his longtime friend Burkhalter to the Commission board last month.

Proctor’s appointment was one of Burkhalter’s final actions as interim speaker of the Georgia House.

The appointment puts Proctor in the unusual position of judging ethical issues for the Commission while having been found in violation by the very same body. More importantly, it shows “contempt for ethics in general,” said Matt Weyandt, Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Georgia.

“After the Glenn Richardson debacle, we need strong leadership to clean up the Gold Dome. ‘Business as usual’ can no longer apply,” he continued.

Proctor has refused to comply with the State Ethics Commission findings. Unbelievably, he now sits on the board of the Commission, judging ethical issues for a panel that found him guilty several years ago.

"Republicans are paying lip-service to ethics reform. They're not changing anything, or acting any different,” Weyandt said. “We call on Proctor to suspend his assignment to the State Ethics Commission board until he submits to their authority and clears up his past ethical entanglements.”

State Republicans Form Group To Impose Ideological Litmus Tests On Legislation

Monday, a group of state legislators announced that they were forming a group to "evaluate, on a daily basis, the conservative merits of every single bill that comes to their chamber in the capitol." [Goodfriend, Perry (2010-2-1). Georgia House Republicans form their own conservative caucus. The Examiner. Retrieved on 2010-2-2.]

The Georgia Republican Study Committee, much like its congressional counterpart, plans to grade legislation based on the following criteria:

• Does the bill reduce the size of government?
• Does the bill reduce taxes or fees?
• Does the bill encourage personal responsibility by individuals and families and encourage them to provide for their own needs?
• Does the bill increase opportunities for individuals or families to decide how to conduct their own lives and make personal choices?
• Does the bill stay within the limits of the proper role of government?

Once again, I am reminded of the prophetic words from moderate Republican Christine Todd Whitman:

The leaders of these groups seek to impose rigid litmus tests on Republican candidates and appear determined to drive out of the party anyone who doesn't subscribe to their beliefs in entirety. They would dispute my assertion that there's room in the party for all those who share basic Republican principles but might disagree on particular issues.

I'm not a fan of litmus tests.

I think that both liberals and conservatives are wrong when they seek to allow the perfect be the enemy of the good.

There is no such thing as a perfect Republican. There is no such thing as a perfect Democrat. And there is no such thing as a perfect bill. There are, however, good Republicans, good Democrats and good bills.

This Republican Study Committee is, as the Athens Banner-Herald suggests, the wrong track. The group is going to allow ideological litmus tests determine how they vote on the most important issues facing Georgia today. And many times, a good bill proposing good, sound public policy will be opposed by this group of ideological zealots simply because the legislation doesn't pass their rigid litmus tests.

Georgia needs leaders that will think outside the box. Georgia needs bold visionaries. Sadly though, this Republican Study Committee locks the state inside the box with its goal to pass ideologically pure legislation. And there is nothing bold about that.

Three Republicans Qualify For Former House Speaker's Seat

Secretary of State Brian Kemp announced Monday that three candidates --Republicans J. Cash, Ronny Sibley and Daniel Stout-- qualified to run for the state House seat formerly held by House Speaker Glenn Richardson.

Richardson resigned the seat in January after details of his affair with a lobbyist were revealed by the press.

The special election to fill the remainder of Richardson's term is scheduled for Tuesday, February 23rd. A run-off election, if needed, will be held on Tuesday, March 23rd.

The winner of this special election isn't likely to be seated until the end of the 2010 legislative session. Then, the newly-elected state representative from the 19th district must turn right around and run for a full two-year term in the November General Election.

So let's just call a spade a spade.

The campaign in Georgia's 19th state House district is essentially an election to see which candidate will have the word "incumbent" listed next to their name in November.

Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Debate February 2nd

Tomorrow evening, on the campus of the University of Georgia, the five Democratic candidates for governor will meet in a debate sponsored by the state Democratic Party and WNEG-TV (Toccoa).

The event is scheduled to begin at 7PM and last an hour. Seating for ticket-holders starts at 6:30PM.

Individuals interested in attending the debate in person must request tickets from the Clarke County Democratic Party or by emailing tickets@georgiademocrat.org.

The debate will be held in the PJ Auditorium, located in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication.

State Democratic Party Files December 31st FEC Report

A few weeks ago, the Georgia Republican Party reported having $1,652,224.48 in its federal account. Now the Democrats have filed their end-of-the-year FEC reports (albeit a little late).

Here are the numbers (along with the Georgia GOP's finances):

	Contributions (as of December 31, 2009)	Contributions (YTD)	Cash On Hand	Debt
Democratic Party of Georgia	$66,668.05	$1,345,477.70	$117,220.35	$2,201.21
Georgia Republican Party	$153,596.78	$1,276,265.14	$1,652,539.53	$0

If these numbers are taken at face value and combined with the disclosures filed with the State Ethics Commission, Democrats have a total of $249,756.46 in its state and federal accounts. The GOP has a total of $3,344,340.29 in their state and federal accounts.

Thurbert Baker Not Resigning To Run For Governor

In the Monday morning edition of the Georgia Times-Union, three high profile political observers encouraged Attorney General Thurbert Baker to resign and seek the Democratic Party's gubernatorial nomination full time.

Shannon Goessling, executive director of the Southeastern Legal Foundation and [Baker's]Republican challenger in 2002, [said] a candidate looking to move up won't be giving the taxpayers their full money's worth in the current post or give voters for the new post ample opportunity to meet him either.

"There is something to be said for 'if you don't want the job you've got now, then you should resign for it and aggressively campaign for the job you do want,'" she said.

Goessling could be dismissed as biased, but Bill Bozarth feels the same way, and he's the executive director of Common Cause of Georgia, an independent, government-watchdog organization.

"It might be better for him if he resigned and ran full out," said Merle Black, a professor at Emory University and author of "Divided America: The Ferocious Power Struggle in American Politics."

Jones, Walter C (2010-2-1). Georgia attorney general says he'll fulfill promise in governor's race. Georgia Times-Union. Retrieved on 2010-2-1.

Baker's response?

He was hired by the people of Georgia to serve four years, and he's going to serve four years.

"I think we have an obligation and an expectation to fulfill that promise, so I have never thought about not serving my entire term as attorney general," [Baker] said.

Now that we've got that pressing issue out of the way, Attorney General Baker, what is your plan to create jobs for Georgians?

Quote of the Day: the Barack Obama edition

". . . jobs must be our number one focus in 2010 . . ."

-President Barack Obama

Four years ago, I knew I was voting Mark Taylor for Governor. No one was going to persuade me to cast my vote for anyone else but Mark Taylor. This year, I am undecided. I'm observing every person's campaign and bumping their platform against three major issues:

1.) Jobs;
2.) Transportation; and
3.) Water.

Jobs for Georgians is the critical issue for me this year. Any candidate running for office in November, regardless of partisan affiliation, must have a clear and coherent plan to create jobs for Georgians in order for me to give them even a first look.

Transportation is a very close second. There is no reason why a world-class region like Atlanta should not have a public transit system such as Boston's where there are more cabs out on the street than cars.

Water is right up there with jobs and transportation. Without water, Georgia cannot grow. We need public policies that smartly plans for water usage in Atlanta and around the state as well. Nothing should be off the table, including moving the border north to where it should have been all these years so that Georgia can have access to the Tennessee River.

If there's a gubernatorial candidate out there that effectively demonstrates having a solution to these three major issues, then that's who I'll be voting for.