GOP Widens Lead in Georgia Senate (They just keep SWITCHING and SWITCHING in Georgia...)

AP ^ | 11-12-2002 | AP

[fieldmarshaldj]

November 12, 2002 at 14:05:15 PST

GOP Widens Lead in Georgia Senate

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ATLANTA- A fourth Democrat in the Georgia Senate has changed parties, bolstering the Republican majority and giving a boost to GOP Gov.-elect Sonny Perdue.

State Sen. Jack Hill's decision Tuesday gives Republicans a 30-26 edge over Democrats in the chamber and it reversed the Election Day results that gave Democrats a four-seat majority.

Republicans have not controlled a legislative body in Georgia since Reconstruction, and Perdue is the first Republican in 130 years to become governor of the state.

Democrats still control the Georgia House with 106 members to 73 Republicans and one independent.

The new majority means Republicans could strip Democratic Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor of his power to appoint committees and assign legislation to committees, leaving him only with the power to preside over debate.

Taylor has called on party switchers to resign and run for re-election as Republicans.

[MaryFromMichigan]

This is how I feel - if a Republican switches to Democrat it's wrong but if a Democrat switches to Republican it's O.K. -Contra

Best line I've read today!

[Hodar]

And what of the people who believed in what this DEM was touting? Their vote counted, and they were defrauded out of their vote. It's no different than what Jeffords did. We have to assume that people know who they are voting for (even though most don't); otherwise the logical change is to have senate appointees. I feel that is unjust for a Senator to change party affiliation after his constituents have aligned themselves behind what his stated beliefs were. They have been deceived.

[Hodar]

Wow .. you do know your state's history. And that certainly give ample reason for the switch. All I do know is that I wouldn't trust a man who switched parties to my side at all. Actions speak louder than words; and the first time he has an opportunity to stab the GOP in the back, he likely will.

[samanella]

That state just gets better and better....they even have one of the best college football teams--GO DAWGS!

[hoosiermama]

Back in 1964 I was taking government. I remember discussing LBJ's statement in class. and the words of our government teacher.
"Maybe not in my lifetime, but in yours we will have another two parties; not the republican and democrats, but the conservative and liberals."
Mr Graff,a wonderful teacher who inspired my love of government and politics, died last spring. It was almost in his lifetime.

[doug from upland]

Thanks for the info. This is a really good thing.

[Nuke'm Glowing]

It's a very good thing. And now maybe there won't be the waste of public money like there used to be in Georgia. You have no idea how many four lane state highways were built just so selected demorats in power would not have to drive in bad traffic to get to their hunting or fishing lodges! Georgia is about to undergo a revolution which actually might make it a larger growth magnet for industry than any other state in the Southeastern U.S. Time will tell.

[101st-Eagle]

I do see your point. But I think Jeffords stands alone given the timing, profile and impact of his switch. It is wonderful to see him swing in the wind as Arnold once swung on a noose.

[Redbob]

"I suppose you think Ronald Reagen was also a traitor for switching parties, Right?"

Ask yourself:
Did Ronald Reagan change parties after he was elected to office?

Hint: The answer is "No."

[Redbob]

Their education system is already ranked 50th in the nation: what more do you want?

[GaConfed]

Look for liberal media references (movies, talk shows, political columns, and other forms of mindless entertainment) about how Georgia has become the 'dumbest state.'

That's just dandy with me. People who take the liberal media seriously are the very ones that might be dissuaded form moving here. Too many of their ilk have moved here in the last twenty or so years anyway. Maybe they will all go back to where they came from now that we have REAL GEORGIANS in control.

[Redbob]

"You may be ideologically pure, but it's hard to say it out loud when your constituents have to drive 50 miles to a hospital."

I hesitate to mention this, but where is it written that only government may provide health care?
If there were truly a need for hospital in that county, what is to stop a private citizen or group of citizens from building and staffing one?

Are there no doctors there whatsoever?

[AnAmericanMother]

Nope, what you don't have is any single large population center sufficient to support a modern hospital.

There used to be "cottage hospitals" that a small community could afford, that would deliver minor emergency, middle-level care. But in the current malpractice climate there's not a doctor in the country who would staff on a hospital that doesn't have the latest word in modern (lawsuit-preventing) medical technology. I know of several hospitals in GA that have failed in small communities despite the best efforts of entrepreneurs hiring young doctors, etc.

If the health care market weren't so grotesquely distorted by insurance, Medicare, and malpractice suits, you would have a point, I think.

[Atlantian]

Today I learned that Boston will be the site of the "04 Dem convention. Wouldn't it be great if ATLANTA was chosen to host the Repub.convention? We had the '88 Dem convention here, but never a Repub. convention. I know we would put on a great show.

[chris_in_nj]

Right on Hodar. Objectivity is a wonderful trait and you display it well. Misleading voters, on any side, is fraudulent. While I'm glad it is at least to our side I still do not agree with it - not even if they even went independent. They should stay on the side they ran.

- Chris

[SwordofTruth]

Calling people traitors because they switch parites is ridiculous. Many if not all of these legislatures in Georgia are switching because they barley won this time around and don't think they will again as a Democrat. They are doing this to KEEP their jobs long-term. Same with Jeffords of Vermont. Vermont is a VERY LIBERAL state, he wanted to keep his job. He voted with Democrats most of the time anyway, just like these legislatures in Georgia have voted with the Republicans most of the time.

[KC_Conspirator]

Bill Bennett...

[fortheDeclaration]

So the 'switching' is really alright since the Democrats had turned on these guys already.

Do you agree?

[Austin Willard Wright]

Whether it is Jeffords, Richard Shelby or these guys, a man has right to chance his mind. Flame away.

[Nuke'm Glowing]

It will never happen. The pubbies know better. Every fruitcake and civil rights group would boycott for days. Even though it was the GOP that pressured the demorats into getting the Civil Rights Act passed. Until Atlanta gets cleaned up politically (i.e., more indictments and jail time for the crooks that have ruined that city) and becomes a 2 party city, you will never see the GOP hold a convention there.