The next new thing in politics: A GOP street fight (Mac Collins to challenge Isakson?)

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 5/12/03 | Tom Baxter and Jim Galloway

[LdSentinal]

Everyone's been waiting for something to carry us over and beyond this flag silliness.

Mac Collins may have just done it. If he should jump into the 2004 U.S. Senate race against fellow Republican Johnny Isakson, we'll be able to stop talking about battle emblems and stars and bars.

Republicans would now be able to ask each other what side of a philosophical chasm they stand on. And the rest of Georgia can simply watch them rip into each other -- starting Friday.

That's when the state GOP gathers in Macon for its two-day annual convention.

Since November, Republicans have been like a bunch of hormone-smitten teenagers holding a lights-out smoochfest in the basement. Now they've got a chance to turn on the lights and see who they've been locking lips with.

Sonny Perdue will have a chance to explain himself, his philosophy, and the direction he wants to take Republicans -- who for the first time see their party organization under the control of a governor.

The state Senate's GOP membership may pick a new majority leader to replace Tom Price of Roswell. He'll be dropping his leadership baggage to make a swifter run for the 6th Congressional District seat.

Most eyes had been trained on Lynn Westmoreland, the state House minority leader from Sharpsburg, who'll make a decision on whether he's in or out of the Republican primary for the 2004 U.S. Senate race.

If Collins jumps in, our money says Westmoreland jumps out. Perhaps he waits for the House speakership to fall his way. Or maybe he makes a bid for Collins' congressional seat.

Either way, a challenge to Isakson would constitute a critical test for the state GOP, to determine whether its primary races are still ruled by a hard-nosed core of philosophical conservatives.

Isakson, whose moderation is considered blasphemy by some Republicans, is betting that the Republican tent has gotten bigger since his last tries at statewide office.

Dear Mac or Lynn: Start working the phone now.

Last week, while Sonny Perdue was raising the new state flag, Isakson's people were flogging a report from The Hill in Washington, noting that Isakson topped a bipartisan list of money-raisers for the 2004 Senate elections. To wit:

1. Johnny Isakson (R-GA), $2,069,575

2. Richard Shelby (R-Ala), $1,539,416

3. Arlen Specter (R-Pa), $1,452,029

4. John Warner (R-Va), $1,337,893

5. John McCain (R-Ariz), $1,167,652

6. Blair Hull (D-Ill), $1,085,097

7. Harry Reid (D-Nev), $1,057,158

8. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif), $1,056,288

9. Evan Bayh (D-Ind), $863,704

10. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark), $673,725

[UofORepublican]

Where is Schumer? He is leading everyone hands down.

[LdSentinal]

I believe that list deals with fundraising totals only with the first quarter of this year.

[fieldmarshaldj]

*ping*

[Engine82]

I will be supporting Mac.

[Princeliberty]

And they will not the fack that he
is such homely fellow and the prime
example of the country blue blood
RINO, that Democrats love to run against
in the South.

[AuH2ORepublican]

Can Mac carry South Georgia against a moderate Democrat? I'd much rather have Kingston run.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I have no idea. Collins seems a bit lower-profile than Kingston, doesn't he ? It's why I'm loathe to handicap the race with his entry.

[MainstreamConservative]

I used to live in Georgia and I can say that Isakson cannot win, unless the democrats nominate someone like John Lewis. My personal favorite would be Jack Kingston. He would clean up in central and south georgia, as well as carry the suburbs. Isakson, on the other hand, would not play well in central Georgia, home of conservative, rural democrats. These folks are responsible for Saxby Chambliss's promotion.

If Mac Collins is the only one facing Isakson, he gets my support. I think he would win against any democrat except Sam Nunn and Zell Miller. It's just that I really like Kingston (and I admire his courage in standing up against rediculous pork spending).