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Perdue’s strength increasing at Gold
Dome
Special to Bill Shipp's
Georgia
 If the
outside world ever wanted absolute confirmation that Gov. Sonny
Perdue is getting stronger, they need look no further than his
recent appointment of state Rep. Mark Burkhalter,
R-Alpharetta, and state Sen. David Shafer, R-Duluth, to floor
leader positions for the governor in their respective
chambers.
Burkhalter is a veteran House member who enjoys
immense respect from both sides of the aisle. A successful
businessman, he has always brought a realistic viewpoint to the
Legislature, while maintaining his strong Republican philosophy.
Early in his legislative career he chose to create lines of
communication with Democratic House leaders, not to compromise his
own beliefs, but to advance his Republican agenda in what was then a
House almost totally dominated by the Democrats. By doing so, he
gained a wealth of institutional knowledge that will be invaluable
to the Perdue team. Not that the governor doesn’t have that
knowledge. Perdue’s high-level past legislative experience should
not be underestimated.
Shafer brings to the table a wealth of
strategic ability and longtime GOP statewide experience as both a
candidate and a campaign manager. Some GOP senators may feel more
than a bit threatened over Shafer’s selection, given his strong
skills and past opposition to some of the Senate leadership’s
positions. But having a diversity of opinions, coupled with Shafer’s
other skills, should serve Perdue well in the Senate.
Also
added to the governor’s team was Sen. Preston Smith, R-Rome,
who insiders describe as one of the GOPs brightest rising stars.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate race in Georgia remains a mystery
battle. The latest word from insiders is that former Atlanta Mayor
Andy Young felt inclined to seek the seat being vacated next
year by the retiring Sen. Zell Miller. Should Young enter the
race, it would have major implications for both the general election
and the GOP primary that precedes it.
U.S. Senate race
in Georgia remains a
mystery
battle
| First the primary. Republican
Congressmen Johnny Isakson and Mac Collins are
generally considered to be the most viable of their party’s
candidates. Isakson is one of the nation’s most successful
fundraisers and is extremely popular in the business community.
Collins trails Isakson considerably in funds, but has a populist
persona that could make him a serious contender. But should Young
enter the Democratic field, Republicans who might have otherwise
considered voting for Collins as a sort of
“repeat-Sonny-Perdue-style candidate,” will instead have to consider
the viability of Collins in the Atlanta metro area against the
polished and well-known Young. Young has the potential of attracting
away more moderate metro voters in a battle against any Republican
who might be labeled as too conservative. That would suggest that
GOP voters might be more circumspect in casting their primary
ballots. Then again, should Young face a legitimate challenge, he
might pull moderate votes into his own primary race — votes that
might have otherwise crossed into the GOP primary to support
Isakson.
Regardless, a Young candidacy would guarantee a
record African-American turnout in the fall of 2004, a happening
Democrats across the state would relish; they desperately need it in
light of the outcome of the 2002 state elections. Knowing Young as I
do, it still seems hard to believe he would want to leave the very
comfortable and enjoyable life that he and his wife currently enjoy.
But then again, I never believed Zell and Shirley Miller
would have wanted a full term in the Senate. But they did, and
Georgia is all the better for their decision.
Here’s my best
guess on some other issues:
A special session on the budget?
No. Gov. Perdue has seen the disastrous impact these kinds of
special sessions have had in other states. However, we should all be
prepared for a truly difficult set of choices when the Legislature
reconvenes in January. Believe it or not, my best guess is that
Georgia will have less than $30 million in remaining “rainy day”
reserve funds by then — the result of continuing sluggish
revenues.
A revenue enhancement in 2004? You better believe
it. You couldn’t cut enough of state government to avoid it. Some
GOP members won’t like it, but just like the tobacco tax, they will
have no choice but to face either an increase in the motor fuel tax
or the state sales tax. Both will seem repugnant at first, but one
of the two alternatives will emerge the victor. Stay tuned in future
weeks as we examine in which direction we believe the Legislature is
headed.
Matt Towery is chairman of
InsiderAdvantage. Bill Shipp’s Georgia is a wholly owned subsidiary
of InsiderAdvantage.
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BILL SHIPP'S
GEORGIA
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