Fludd Elected as House Democratic Caucus Chairman Over Thomas

Today, Moderate Democrat Virgil Fludd (D-Fayetteville) was elected as Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus over State Rep. Brian Thomas (D-Lilburn). Fludd said after the election " I think we can do better, I think we've done things well, but I think we can do better". If you don't remember, Fludd ran for Minority Leader for the House Democratic Caucus, which eventually was won by Rep Stacey Abrams.

Now back to Fludd's election.The Caucus Chairman is in charge of RECRUITING & FUNDRAISING. I hope Fludd would commit to recruiting candidates for Rural Legislative Seats, starting on 2014.  That's what I hope, because recruiting in the more populated Urban/Suburban areas are not the problem, it's in the isolated, rural areas of the state. Fludd needs to build contacts & connections in many areas as possible, that's the key!

Fludd is serving a fourth term in the 66th House District. The district includes parts of Fayette and Fulton Counties in south metro Atlanta. He serves on the Ways and Means, Regulated Industries, Small Business, and Banking Committees. He is also Chair of the Economic Development Policy Committee and Co-Chair of the Working Families Legislative Caucus.

His legislative successes include battles to stop payday lending, tax reform, district voting and financial education in the state of Georgia. He has tons of private sector experience with over 20 years of sales, marketing, management and consulting experience. He is currently the President and CEO of the Carvir Group, an executive recruiting and management consulting firm. The company provides corporate recruiting services to companies across the country and has worked for Bank of America as a Vice President and Sales Manager.

Deke Copperhaver for Governor, 2014.....as a Democrat?

Deke Copperhaver for Governor? Sounds Good.

Deke Copperhaver as a 'Democratic Candidate" for Governor? A no-brainer in my book.

With the 2012 Elections out the way, let's look ahead to 2014. Governor Nathan Deal is up for re-election, as well as other Republican Statewide Offficers as well. So who would run against Deal two years from now? Jim Marshall? Michael Thurmond? DuBose Porter? Rob Teilhet? All are potential candidates.

Augusta Mayor Deke Copperhaver, Independent

But Independent Mayor Deke Copperhaver should be included on that list. Yes he's a Independent, I know, but why not Copperhaver. I don't know if the Mayor's post is term-limited, but he's up for re-election in 2014, same year as the governor's race. Now would he entertain a run for governor? Who knows? Can top Democratic officials in the State convince him, persuade him to run for governor as a Democrat? That's the $64,000 Question! Democrats options are very, very slim at this point. With a thin bench, now is the time to look outside the box in finding a candidate for Governor, as well as Lt. Governor, U.S. Senate, etc.

Copperhaver was elected Mayor in 2005 to serve out former Mayor Bob Young's term & has held the post since then. In 2006 & 08, he was named a notable Georgia by Georgia Trend Magazine, as well as one of Georgia's Most Influential Individuals. This year he was named by Southern Living Magazine by Southern Living Magazine as one of their Heroes of the New South.

His ability to bring people together regardless of political party or race is seen as one of his biggest assets & has reshaped public perceptions of Augusta & managed to bring thousands of jobs to Augusta. He has either served or currently sits on numerous Civic & Community Boards. Copperhaver maybe the one person who can immolate U.S. Rep. John Barrow's strategy in a statewide race, the ability to appeal to Independents, Conservatives, while keeping the base (Democratic) unified. I'm just throwing Mayor Copperhaver name out there because it's time & I've seen saying this for a couple of years now that the party change it's way of thinking & go bold. The Democratic Party like the GOP has a Demographic Problem as well, but it's major problem is more regional that demographic. Large swaths of Georgia remain unchallenged by democrats. Why is that you ask? I would tell you, but I'm tired of beating on a Dead Horse, so I'll leave that alone.

Besides Copperhaver, Jim Marshall would be a good candidate in 2014. But these are all "What Ifs". But with the well drying up for the democrats, it is time to look outside the box for a candidate.

Democrats Enjoy Success Nationally, Democrats in Georgia continue to Suffer

Last Night we saw the re-election of President Obama to a second term as leader of the free world. Despite a sagging economy, the President managed to get re-elected with 50% of the popular vote to Romney/s 49%, a razor thin margin. The president got 45% of the vote here in Georgia, which tells you that either in 2016 or 2020, Georgia will become a purple state. In addition Democrats won seats in red states such as Indiana, Missouri, North Dakota & Montana, but lost more seats in Congress.

Here in Georgia, Blue Dog Democrat John Barrow won re-election as representative for the 12th Congressional District, despite losing his democratic stronghold of Chatham County. Barrow garnered 54% of the vote to Lee Anderson, who was a relatively weak candidate. Barrow may have written the playbook on how democrats can win again not only here in Georgia, but in conservative-leaning regions.

On the state level, not a good night for Georgia Democrats as Barbara Massey Reece lost her bid for another term & Rick Crawford who said he would switch parties if he was re-elected both lost to republican challengers. Democrats picked up ZERO seats in the State House & State Senate, which again highlights the glaring problem for the party. This is the 4th election cycle that democrats have failed to pickup any seats against the GOP who are one seat away from a Supermajority (Rusty Kidd, Independent who beat back a challenge from Quentin Howell is said to be in talks to switch to the GOP, which will give them their Supermajority. I think its a foregone conclusion that he joins the GOP.

The Democratic Party of Georgia, the House & Senate Democratic Leadership  really need to do some serious soul searching. Way too many seats went unchallenged this election cycle, weak infrastructure & organization continue to plague the party & the disconnect with Rural Georgia has gotten wider.

Two years from now, all statewide offices will be up for election. As I mentioned before, President got 45% of the vote, down from 48% in 2008, but Democratic Candidates here in a off election year only manages to top out at 40-42% & that comes from Urban Centers such as Macon, Savannah, Metro Atlanta, etc. The challenge for the party is to find a John Barrow style Democrat who can appeal to Independent-Conservative leaning voters, while holding on to the party base, which is a difficult thing to do, but Barrow proved that it can be done. But are there any John Barrow type Democrats left in Georgia?

But things have gotten so bad here in Georgia for the Democrats on the Legislative Level that I would advise any Democrat who's thinking about running for legislative office to run as a Independent or Libertarian.  Running as a Democrat in Rural Georgia means you will run alone, with no assistance from party leadership who pick & choose which candidates best fit their left- wing ideology. It would not surprise me that some Georgia GOP Statewide Officials go unopposed in 2014, like what happened in Louisiana last year.

Note: Congrats to Scott Holcomb for winning re-election to his House Seat. The party could use more Centrist like Holcome in its ranks

32 Years Later & This How Georgia Looks Now

Mao of the 1980 Senate race between Herman Talmadge (D) & Mack Mattingly (R)

 

 



Map of the 2008 Senate ace between Jim Martin (D) & Saxby Chambliss (R)

Look how much this state has changed since then.