DPG Chairman's Job Now Open to All, Regardless of Race or Gender

In a letter sent out to Georgia Democrats, Interim Chairwoman Nikema Williams have decided to open the DPG election to any democrat, not just for white males only.

Says Williams in the letter,

As you are aware, I have been in regular contact with our local party leadership as well as national party leaders to help navigate our upcoming special election for party chair. After extensive consultation, I have decided to open this election to any Democrat who chooses to run for the position.

I believe that an open election is more consistent with our fundamental belief of full participation in the political process.

Our state charter and bylaws were created to implement this very process, at a time when women and people of color had been systematically excluded from full participation.  It is that open process that I want to honor.

Our Counsel agrees and has advised me that the provisions of our charter and bylaws that address racial and gender composition of party officers can be interpreted as a goal that is intelligible when all offices are open for election, but do not explicitly apply in a special election for a single position.

I will be directing our Charter and By-Laws Committee to draft appropriate amendments that will clarify the goals of inclusion and establish uniform procedures for filling vacancies in any office at state, county, congressional district, or other level.

Therefore, the Special Election for Chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2013. The deadline for declarations of candidacy as outlined in the June 20th election notice will be extended until Wednesday, July 31, 2013. This will provide an opportunity for any Democrat to participate fully in our process.

GOP War on Poor People

When we talk about the poor, the word 'Poor' is always associated with minorities and this is a group the GOP is having trouble appealing to and it's latest actions will only make it harder for them to appeal to them in future elections.

 In a country where more and more people are living in poverty, why is the GOP branding itself as the party that hates the poor? Increasingly threatened by demographic changes, since November the GOP has sought to make inroads among Latinos while not losing more ground with America’s women. But their latest move will merely reinforce that they stand for punitive policies that target exactly these demographic groups, as they represent a significant segment of the growing population that is poor.

The Republicans are fighting a deliberate battle against the poor. It is audacious, insensitive and ugly. Republicans have clearly decided that the War on the Poor is good politics such as the case when it comes to food stamps.  Republicans seem to think people on food stamps must just be lazy -- or worse. Republicans are ideologically incapable of imagining a world where people can't find a job because there aren't enough of them. In other words, they won't let themselves understand the world we live in. They think food stamp use is at record-highs, because people are drug addicts or just shiftless, not because the recovery has been so weak. This insistence that our problems are all supply, and no demand, is why Republicans have opposed any and all attempts to stimulate the economy.

FYI: Food Stamp Use is Highest in Red States such as Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Arkansas, the Carolinas, Texas, etc.

 The number of Americans relying on federal help to get food has been climbing for years now. It’s not just the unemployed relying on the vouchers....seniors, veterans, school children and the disabled are among the groups hit hardest in this Great Recession. And the Republicans in Congress have a great idea that will save money and take care of the hunger problem: Cut America’s “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program” completely…

(GA-1) Democrats chances in the 1st Congressional District

Georgia's 1st Congressional District has a R+9 Republican Advantage, the same as Georgia CD-12 where Conservative Democrat John Barrow (D-Augusta) current represents. So the question is, can a democrat win down in the newly drawn district which now includes all of democratic-controlled Chatham County? Can democrats find a John Barrow-type democrat in that area to run in that area?

On the GOP side, former USDA Official & 2010 Agriculture Commissioner candidate Darwin Carter, State Senator Buddy Carter, State Rep. Jeff Chapman, Congressional Aide David Schwarz, Veteran Bob Johnson, and former Savannah Mayoral Candidate Stefan Jarvis.

So it's likely there will be a runoff on the GOP side, but back to the democratic side.

The democrats best bet will be on the local level, a county commissioner, mayor to find a candidate.... or military veteran such as the case when Retired Lt. Col. Bill Gillespie ran back in 2010

I don't know what's happening in terms of recruiting for the 1st, but dems should seriously look at fielding a Strong, Credible candidate for that seat.

It's Time To Do Away With Gerrymandering

Are you frustrated with the political environment we see not only in Georgia but in Washington, D.C?

Looking at the entrenched partisanship and gridlock in our political system, it's easy to become cynical. Year after year, it seems nothing changes. That's because your votes don't really count. One of the reasons is simple: GERRYMANDERING
.

Gerrymandering has effectively disenfranchised the majority of voters - and they don't even know it.

Districts are noncompetitive, so the winners are determined in primary elections, where the turnout is always low (typically about a third of registered voters) and the electorate is dominated by the most extreme and partisan voters. Legislators can only be defeated in the primary and so must become rigidly ideological, since any compromise can (and has) cost members their careers. That has led to legislatures as well as Congress incapable of solving problems.

With the SCOTUS decision to drop section 4 of the VRA, which was a huge mistake, what really needs to be looked at now is the total elimination of Gerrymandering.

In this redistricting process, gerrymandering – the manipulation of district lines for political advantage – has become the political weapon of choice. The two main purposes of gerrymandering are to protect the seats of incumbents and to allow the dominant party in a state to win more seats that it deserves.

A typical example of gerrymandering would be to draw district lines to keep a city with a large African American population out of a white Republican’s congressional district. The politicos would do this because African Americans are more likely to vote Democrat. In exchange for this the Republicans let the Democrats exclude white rural areas likely to vote Republican from their districts.

The result of this gerrymandering is that our politics get artificially polarized along ideological, cultural and racial lines. Republicans can safely ignore the concerns of African American voters because they know they won’t be a factor in their reelection. Democrats can safely ignore the concerns of rural and suburban whites because they know those people don’t vote in their districts. Instead of a healthy two party contest, elections become nasty little battles between different factions of one party. In many cases narrow ideologically focused bands of extremists can dominate the electoral process. Candidates have to pander to these groups rather than address issues of real concern to voters.

Eliminating gerrymandering for Congressional & Legislative districts could make our politics more moderate. When elections are held in predetermined geographic regions not drawn up by politicians, American voters tend to elect moderate middle of the road candidates dedicated to compromise. When politicians have to face election outside predetermined regions they tend to move the center. History also proves that candidates will abandon polarizing racial, cultural and ideological politics when their re-election depends on those of another race or culture. Getting rid of gerrymandering wouldn’t be a cure all but it could go a long way to improving our political system. In particular it could give us a House of Representatives that actually looks something like the America it represents.

Mike Berlon: It's time to remove yourself and your baggage as Chairman of the Georgia Democratic Party

It's time for Georgia Democratic Party Chairman Mike Berlon to step down as head of the State Party so it can move on in preparation for 2014.Recently, Berlon had his law license suspended and received a reprimand from the state Supreme Court, and he's facing a lawsuit from a Gwinnett County man over missing funds, etc, etc. David Worley, a former chairman of the state party, said Mike Berlon’s legal woes tarnish the party’s image and hamper its abilities to raise funds. I agree with Worley who said he’ll ask the Democratic Party of Georgia’s executive committee to recommend Berlon’s ouster at next month's June 6 meeting.

Now Berlon has his staunch supporters who voted for him in huge numbers over former Secretary of State Candidate Darryl Hicks (who I supported) back in 2011 in a bid to take over as party chair from Jane Kidd.

But given his legal woes and the woeful state of the once-powerful Georgia Democratic Party, now is the time to remove Berlon as chair of the beleaguered Democratic Party.

The Georgia Democratic Party is in desperate need of a leader who can come in and knock some heads together. With 2014 Statewide & Legislative races right around the corner, the sooner State Dems can deal with this problem, the better.

Now who would take over as chairman and finish out Berlon's term? I suggest looking at current and former state legislators.

Former State Legislators such as Terry Johnson of Marietta, Don Wix of Austell, Kevin Levitas of DeKalb County Stephanie Benfield of Atlanta, Dubose, or Current Legislator Calvin Smyre of Columbus ought to be considered for serving out the rest of Berlon's term.

Michelle Nunn & Georgia Senate Race.....How bad does she want it?

Conservative Democrat John Barrow (D-Augusta) will not seek the soon-to-be-open Senate next year, which now leaves Michelle Nunn (D-Atlanta) as the top choice on the democratic side.

Nunn, who is the daughter of former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn (D-Perry) is a largely unknown individual who once before flirted with a run for the Senate. But this time, if she's going to do it, now is the time.

Nunn is the CEO of Points of Light and co-founder of HandsOn Network, which is the largest volunteer network in the country, . Points of Light inspires, equips and mobilizes people to take action that changes the world. She is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a major in history and a minor in religion. She has studied at Oxford University and in India. She was a Kellogg National Fellow and has a master’s degree in public administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. No one knows her views or positions on certain issues that will come up if she does run for the senate...but that maybe a good thing, who knows. If she gets in the race, will that clear the democratic field? It's possible with other possible candidates such as State Rep Scott Holcomb, & Ex. Attorney Gen. Thurbert Baker rumored to be eyeing the seat as well.

The one advantage Barrow would have had is his appeal & knowledge of the "Other" Georgia...Rural Georgia, which democrats can not continue to perform poorly in if they ever want to be competitive statewide again. Just winning the urban & suburban areas alone won't be enough to overcome a republican candidate...no way, no how!

Nunn with former Pres. George H.W. Bush

This is a area that Michelle Nunn father can play a important role in....it's been 24 years since Sam Nunn been on the ballot here in Georgia, but among those who are 55 or older who still remember him, he or she maybe willing to consider voting for her because of who her father is....but like I said, it's been 24 years & Sen. Nunn's coattails will only drag her so far.

Someone asked me about ex-Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond in regards to this race & I said..I like Mike, but he needs to look elsewhere based on his ill-fated 2010 senate run against Johnny Isakson. Thurmond should seriously look at a run for the 10th Congressional District or even Governor against Nathan Deal.

Back to Nunn, she'd be a formidable candidate for the GOP, there's no doubt about that....but does she have the heart, the fire..how bad does she want to be senator? Based on reports, it looks like a foregone conclusion that she'll enter the race, but we'll see. If not, then Moderate Democrat Scott Holcomb is waiting in the wings and he could be a candidate for governor himself in 2014

John Barrow...Run for the U.S. Senate or remain in the 12th CD?

Hello everyone, PPolitics has been on a hiatus for the last few months in which alot has occurred over that period of time. So let's dive into the topic everyone is talking about, the U.S. Senate seat which will be vacated by Saxby Chambliss next year. 

As many of you may already know, incumbent Senator Saxby Chambliss decided against running for re-election in 2014 due to frustrations he has with Washington. That decision has many Georgia republicans taking a long look at that seat including Jack Kingston, Phil Gingrey, Paul Broun (who already announced his entry) & possibly other GOPers as well. On the democratic, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said no, as did former congressman Jim Marshall. Michelle Nunn is a possibility, as is Congressman John Barrow, but Barrow maybe the democrat's best hope for winning that seat & if there's anyone who can pull it off, its John J. Barrow

Georgia's 12th District Congressman John Barrow (D-Augusta) is not your typical democrat. He's one of the last remaining rural, conservative democrats left in the south who knows what it takes to win tough elections. If Barrow does decide to throw his hat into the U.S. Senate race in 2014, his chances of winning are pretty good. One huge advantage Barrow have over a Paul Broun, a Jack Kingston, a Phil Gingrey, a Tom Price....or any other potential Republican candidate is that he's battled tested. Neither of the people mentioned have never been involved in a tough, drag 'em out political campaigns. All hail from very safe, gerrymandered congressional districts where they have either gone unopposed or faced first time, very weak democratic opponents, as where Barrow has faced tough competition from his left (Regina Thomas) in the democratic primary & to his right, republican Max Burns in the general election.

Rural Dem. John Barrow (D-Augusta)

Barrow is best suited for a general election, not a primary, which would be his biggest problem where democrats nationally have moved even further to the left since the 2012 elections. The majority of Barrow's positions are not in line with today's Democratic Party.  Democrats want a liberal, staunch president Obama supporter to be their candidate in 2014, but guess what, that kind of candidate doesn't stand a chance of winning here in the peach state next year.

Barrow is a old school, pro-business democrat who is a tough, savvy campaigner who has appeal across party lines, which a democrat will need if he or she wants to win statewide. Now personally, I prefer Barrow to remain in the 12th where I believe he can stay for long time regardless how the district been drawn. Now if Barrow were to run, then you have to find someone to run for the dems. Former State Senator & current Southern District of Georgia Attorney General Ed Tarver is said to be interested in the seat if Barrow makes the jump according to Jim Galloway of the AJC. Another possible candidate comes to mind is current Augusta Mayor Deke Coperhaver, who's independent status would make him a strong candidate in the 12th, even for the 10th Congressional District for that matter.

Other names that have been floated for the soon to be open U.S. Senate seat include former Legislative Director and Chief Counsel to U.S. Senator Sam Nunn, ex-U.S. Ambassador to Canada Gordon Giffin & Michelle Nunn, daughter of former Georgia Senator Sam Nunn. Michelle Nunn's biggest asset would be her father who was one of the most beloved politicians this state has ever produced outside of former governor Zell Miller. If she gonna finally do it, now is the right time to do so!

But if there is anyone who can pull it off in 2014 and win that senate seat, it's John Barrow. This will be one, if not the biggest decision of Barrow's political career on whether or not to seek that senate seat.