Zell Miller announces he WON'T run for reelection in 2004

Atlanta Journal-Constitution/AP ^ | 1.8.03

[mhking]

Zell Miller won't run for re-election to Senate

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- Democratic Sen. Zell Miller, a popular former Georgia governor, announced Wednesday he won't seek re-election in 2004 -- a move that could complicate Democratic efforts to retake the Senate.

The surprise announcement came in a statement in which Miller explained he was making the announcement early so that others could prepare to run for the seat.

Miller had been retired from public life in the summer of 2000 when he was appointed to fill the Senate vacancy created by the death of Republican Sen. Paul Coverdell. Miller won a special election in November of that year to fill the remaining years of Coverdell's term, which concludes in 2004.

In his short time in the Senate, Miller made his mark on several key pieces of legislation -- often aligning himself with President Bush and against fellow Democrats. He was the Democratic sponsor of Bush's 10-year, $1.6 trillion tax cut and his Homeland Security Department, among other things.

Miller previously served two four-year terms as governor, where he was noted as one of Georgia's most savvy politicians. Among his greatest accomplishments was establishing the HOPE scholarships, which sent many Georgians to college tuition-free.

Speculation has been mounting about Miller's future plans, and some potential challengers reportedly stayed out of last year's race against Democratic Sen. Max Cleland, assuming that Miller would leave.

Then-Rep. Saxby Chambliss, a Republican, defeated Cleland, bumping Miller up to senior senator for a state known for long-serving senators such as Herman Talmadge, Richard Russell and Sam Nunn.

"I realize some will call me a 'lame duck,' Miller said in the statement. "But those who know me know I will be the 'same duck,' continuing to serve no single party but all the people of Georgia."

[JohnnyZ]

52?? How do you figure? Or do you mean at least 52?

Bob Barr would be a second godsend to the Democrats.

[byteback]

GreenMcKinney

[KQQL]

If BOB BArr is nominated by the GOP...then RATS will keep the seat......

BOB BArr can't win in a state wide race .

.come to think of it he lost to Linder........

[Guillermo]

Remember, in 1996 the SCOTUS forced Georgia to re-district.

At that time, Linder lived in his own district, the 11th. His own neighborhood was taken out of the district he represented and put into the 4th, which was McKinney's. This is exactly what happened to me (of course, I am not a representative).

The Constitutional requirement for Reps is that they must be a resident of the state, not the district.

[Marysecretary]

He's a decent human being. How in heck did he become a democrat????

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

I'm betting he runs for president. He's to the right of the other announced and likely candidates, and he could probably take a lot of independent and "Bush Democrat" votes away from W.

No way! The 'Rats, and the country as a whole, desperately need a 'Rat statesman to come forward and instill sanity in the arena of public ideas. Right now the 'Rats have no sane ideas, and they have no such statesman--Zell included. The absence of a credible leader means that the 'Rats have a lot further to fall. Unfortunately, the country will have to struggle in the meantime, too.

[Guillermo]

Isakson is as close to a RINO as any GA GOP Rep can get.

He has no chance at winning the nomination. He tried once and lost in a Gov race.

[Guillermo]

ACU Ratings for Representative Isakson:
Year 2001	88
Year 2000	72
Lifetime	75

[ZULU]

Miller's retirement is a great loss for America, for moderate Democrats, and for the present Administration.

I wish we coulr convert him to Republicanism and run him for President or Vice-Presidnet later.

[ambrose]

I think Johnny Isakson will be the GOP nominee. I know that will dismay some, because he's something of a moderate... but he would have the best chance of winning, so he'll be Karl Rove's choice.

[reformed_democrat]

. . . after the '02 election debacle, it wouldn't be surprising to see a Democrat revolt against the Clinton wing of the party.

I thought so, too. But first, the dems would have to rid themselves of all the clintonistas left in place after Gore's defeat.

If the dems are going to stage a real revolt, they have to get rid of Terry McAuliff. He controls the money, and is, in turn, controlled by the clintons.

Anyone threatening the clinton cabal could find himself with no DNC support, no money, no issue ads, and a possible primary challenger. No one democrat has enough money or power to overcome the clintonian death grip on the DNC.

Until the dems figure out how to rid themselves of the clintons, they're stuck with the Bill'n'Hill agenda. The only reason the DNC exists in its present form is to put Hillary in the White House.

[JohnnyZ]

The two Reps I think would be interesting are Nathan Deal (former Army captain with strong educational policy credentials) and Linder.

[Political Junkie Too]

Maybe Bill Clinton will move to Atlanta, in a house that Ted Turner pays for.

-PJ

[doodad]

Thanks for the ping mhking! Is that a hoot or what FP?

[Mo1]

WHAT!!! ... He can't leave

Don't get wrong .. I like having one less Dem in the Senate ..

But Zell Miller was the ONLY Dem I had any respect for

[LdSentinal]

I think Johnny Isakson will be the GOP nominee. I know that will dismay some, because he's something of a moderate... but he would have the best chance of winning, so he'll be Karl Rove's choice.

Senator Saxby Chambliss was no moderate. In fact, he's considered to be the next Jessie Helms and he won against an incumbant. Conservative Republicans have an excellent chance of taking this seat considering that it's now an open seat and it's in Georgia.

[Guillermo]

He will never be the nominee. He tried once already, and failed miserably.

[1Old Pro]

Fine, I'm sure we can find a Republican who will do a better job for the conservative cause than Miller. In fact, it will help us gain the much need 60 senate seats in 2004.