GOP Takes Reins of Ga. State House

AP ^ | 01/11/05 | KRISTEN WYATT

[nypokerface]

ATLANTA - Republicans took the reins of the state House on Monday for the first time in 135 years, completing a state sweep that began two years ago when the GOP won the governor's office and state Senate.

Amid whoops and a few tears, Republicans elected Rep. Glenn Richardson as House Speaker, a vote many saw as the culmination of decades of hard work by Republicans. Richardson became the first member of the GOP to hold the gavel since Reconstruction.

"The gravity of this moment is overwhelming to me," said Richardson, who choked up for a moment while giving his first address as Speaker.

As usual for the first day of the Legislature, little was done except the swearing-in of new lawmakers — including the first black Republican lawmaker in Georgia since Reconstruction.

Rep. Willie Talton, a sheriff's deputy from Perry, said he wanted to be known not for being black, but for doing a good job. "I'm looking forward to working," he said.

With both chambers under GOP control, Republican leaders vowed a short session that Richardson said would focus on four "core values" — reducing the size of government, strengthening family values, reducing taxes and encouraging personal responsibility.

Democrats for the most part accepted their new status graciously, hugging and congratulating the new majority members. But the lovefest didn't last long, with Democrats quickly objecting to rules changes proposed by the GOP that they said increased Richardson's power.

[The Teen Conservative]

Its happening all across the South: states that vote strongly Republican for President are now starting to elect local and state leaders Republicans.

[cainin04]

Good news for those of us who live in GA. Now, let's see if they keep their promises!

[handy old one]

I wonder was Brutis see on the floor looking for the speaker. Must be careful of the who get too close!

[bobjam]

For the first time ever, the voters of Georgia put the state assembly in GOP hands. I'm sure Jimmy Cartah is proud.

[dfwgator]

Republicans took the reins of the state House on Monday for the first time in 135 years

I'm stunned. They actually didn't say that "Republicans seized the state House..."

[blackdog]

Once again, Newt saw this one on point duty. Hillary may be building underground bunker systems thruout Westchester County in order to move around and protect her toadies as we chat. Should the 2006 elections continue on the present trend, they might as well offer up Shiela Jackson Lee for the DNC endorsement in 2008. Hillary will be counting servings of strawberries and looking to prevent mutiny.

[HMFIC]

HE should, he started the trend by his INCOMPETENT and FLACCID Leadership as the POTUS.

[TheBigB]

Wish my home state of Alabama could make some progress in this area. *sigh*

[VaBthang4]

PRAISE GOD!

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

Democrats for the most part accepted their new status graciously, hugging and congratulating the new majority members. But the lovefest didn't last long, with Democrats quickly objecting to rules changes proposed by the GOP that they said increased Richardson's power

Frankly, I'm flabbergasted by this development.

(Eye roll.)

[MainFrame65]

It Should happen in the Tennessee state senate, but a traitorous RINO - converted from Democrat years ago to save his backside - has announced that he will vote for the the incumbent DEMOCRAT senate majority leader (who by definition becomes the Lieutenant Governor). Other republicans are screaming, but are helpless to do anything about this betrayal - at least until the next election.

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

Sundquist was a pox upon the Tenn. GOP.

Never should have been elected, in the first place.

[EmilyGeiger]

I will be thrilled when Alabama does this!

[EmilyGeiger]

I didn't see your post when I made mine, but I agree. Alabama needs some serious changes. There are some embarrassments in our house seats.

[DixieOklahoma]

In 2006 (R) Governor Sonny Perdue will be the 3rd straight 1 term governor of georgia for his part in removing the confederate battle emblem from the state flag. Perdue (the liar) campaigned on a promise to give the people a vote on the 1956 flag that was removed, what he did was give them a vote on two different flags, neither of which had the confederate emblem.

In return for doing this, Perdue (the liar) got the Georgia State Assembly, then run by democrats, to pass his billion dollar cigarett tax increase.

Sonny Lied

[deaconjim]

Rep. Willie Talton, a sheriff's deputy from Perry, said he wanted to be known not for being black, but for doing a good job. "I'm looking forward to working," he said.

I've known Willie Talton since I was a teenager. He will do just that.

[deaconjim]

You mean Jimmah?

[Atlantian]

I wish I knew more about Willie Talton, but the AJC refuses to write anything about him. I guess the AJC is afraid other blacks may "get uppity" and leave the Dem plantation.