Randy's Views

America is more divided than ever. No one can agree on anything. Democrats disagree with Republicans. And, as the recent Presidential debates illustrate, Democrats do not even agree with each other, and neither do Republicans. So is there any hope of consensus on anything? Former Speaker Newt Gingrich emphatically says “Yes” and he has released six national polls to back him up. The degree to which Americans agree is noteworthy.

For example, according to the materials released by American Solutions, ninety-six percent of Americans believe it is important for the President and Congress to address Social Security. Ninety-five percent believe that we have an obligation to be good stewards of God’s creation for future generations. Ninety-four percent believe that children should be allowed a moment of silence to pray by themselves in public school if they desire. Based on the latest cable news coverage, it is hard to believe that over ninety percent of Americans agree on anything, much less issues relating to faith or the importance of the taking care of the environment as a moral obligation.

Some of the things that Americans agree on are quite specific. For example, ninety-three percent of Americans believe that in the worker visa program, each worker should take an oath to obey the laws of the United States and should be deported if the worker commits a crime while in the United States. Additionally, nine out of ten Americans approve of a Christmas tree or Menorah being placed on public property during the holiday season.

This level of consensus cuts across party lines - even on some surprising issues. For example, eighty percent of Republicans, seventy-eight percent of Independents and seventy four percent of Democrats favor a Social Security proposal in which any money in the account left after the purchase of an annuity would be the property of the worker and the extra money could be left to family members at death. Further, seventy percent of Democrats, seventy-three percent of Independents, and seventy-nine percent of Republicans favor the option of a single corporate rate of 17% that would lower taxes for some businesses while closing loopholes for others.

Many of the commonly shared opinions reflect a commonality that was unexpected in Washington, D.C. Overwhelming numbers agree that America must help defend America and her allies. That is not so surprising. But, overwhelming numbers (among all parties) believe that Americans must actually defeat America’s enemies. This belief extends to the conclusion that it will not be possible to negotiate with terrorist groups like Al Qaeda; instead, we must defeat them.

The nuances of evolving American opinion are interesting. For example, Americans do not believe that being for border security is anti-immigrant. Americans do agree that businesses should be able to require employees to speak the English language while on the job. Correspondingly, most Americans agree that English should be the official language of the United States and that new immigrants should be required to learn English.

Significantly, the American Solutions polls document the growing opposition to the systemic punishment of faith by governments. Over three-fourths of Americans support the right of high school students to give thanks to God in a graduation speech. A higher number rejects the idea that separation of church and state means that there can be no references to God in government sanctioned activities or public buildings. Virtually the same number believe that the best way to protect religious freedom is to protect all religious references and symbols, including those on public buildings, land or documents.

The fact is that Americans agree on many, many things. The problem is that most in the media and in politics prefer that Americans never know that there remains such consensus on the core values that helped make America the country it is. After all, there is no better way to weaken the people than to divide them into smaller and smaller groups. Don’t believe the hype - there are principles on which Americans agree.

Down the stretch they come - in Iowa, New Hampshire, Michigan and South Carolina. So far, the Presidential race has been anything but predictable. In the final weeks of the first political playoff game, two people have changed the dynamics of the political playing field - one is a candidate, the other is not.

For the Democrats, there has been no bigger story leading up to the Iowa caucus on January 3, 2008 than Oprah Winfrey. The content of her endorsement has added little to the debate. On the other hand, the fact of her personal participation has shifted the focus from a crowded field to a single candidate - Senator Barack Obama. No one should doubt that the Oprah Winfrey endorsement show caused a sizable political earthquake in the contest for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. The “Clinton express” was shaken in its tracks. Senator John Edwards has been swallowed in the darkness that surrounds the media spotlight that Oprah Winfrey has focused on Senator Barack Obama. The rest of the field has been all but eliminated -- starved of any of the air necessary in the political world to live to fight another day.

For the Republicans, Governor Mike Huckabee’s surge in the polls has changed the Republican contest from a seemingly inevitable two person race to a five man free-for-all. While much of the media focus has been on Governor Huckabee, the winners of this sudden shift among Republican voters include not only Governor Huckabee but also Senators John McCain and Fred Thompson. Before Governor Huckabee’s elevation to front-runner status, many believed that Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Governor Mitt Romney occupied the top two slots and would face off on February 5, 2008 (assuming Mayor Giuliani could weather consecutive losses in early primary states).

With the new polls showing Governor Huckabee with a solid lead in Iowa, and conservative support consolidating around Governor Huckabee’s campaign, the GOP election contest has changed. The door is now open for Senator John McCain to make a serious bid to win New Hampshire. While Governor Romney is expected to win Michigan, South Carolina could be the final stand for either Governor Huckabee or Senator Fred Thompson. And, considering that he may not win a contest earlier, Florida will likely be an indispensable win for Mayor Giuliani. In all, the sudden changes in political sands among Republican voters signal an increased possibility that a real political contest will remain on February 5th. If so, it will be something that no one has ever seen before.

In the home stretch, there is no margin for error. The slightest stumble can cost a candidate the race. Traditional thought has been that money and organization win. This means “ground troops” in the caucus states like Iowa (and Wyoming for the Republicans on January 5, 2008), and expensive political advertising in the primary states of New Hampshire, Michigan, South Carolina and Florida.

In the end, however, many believe that both the Democrats and the Republicans will turn to a much more traditional issue in deciding their respective nominees. It is not healthcare, the war, or even taxes. It is “electability” who can actually win on November 4, 2008.

Of course, “electability” is a tricky thing. After all, President Jimmy Carter (in 1980), President George H. W. Bush (in 1992), and Vice President Al Gore (in 2000) all looked like the “safe pick” for their respective parties, and they all lost.

There will be many more ebbs and flows to the Presidential race, even before the January 3, 2008 Iowa caucuses. After all, the nomination process is a systematic testing of the candidates to see if they have the mettle to be the next President of the United States. While less than perfect, there is a method to the madness of American politics.

Soon, Santa Claus will be coming to town. And contrary to popular belief, even politicians want something for Christmas. So what might Santa find when he looks down his list?

Starting with the obvious - water has to be at the top of the list for Atlantans. Even though the panic associated with an imminent (and potentially disastrous) shortage has subsided, the situation is no less serious than it has been. Intermittent rain showers have provided some relief, but not enough. Santa needs to haul some serious melted snow down to Lake Lanier in order to give Atlanta a Merry Christmas.

Consensus tops the list for Georgia Republican legislators. Heading into the election year, most have had enough of the tough talk and petty politics that leaves little room for compromise. Unfortunately, in a business that demands winners and losers, the chances for consensus appear remote. Too many political futures are riding on the outcome of the political skirmishes from the last year. Chances are that things will get worse before they get better under the Gold Dome. But, maybe, just maybe, Santa can bring enough good cheer to at least temper the edges before the tough battles of the 2008 General Assembly begin.

GOP division makes the list for Georgia Democrats. Notwithstanding the political rancor among Republicans, Georgia Democrats have yet to see any real benefit. While Republicans may disagree on how best to lead the state, they seem to all agree when it comes to winning elections. Georgia Democrats have to hope that eventually there will be a political payoff at the end of the string for a divided GOP. What they need is a little more political ambition mixed with some worrisome economic news. Dwindling revenues combined with increasing tax cut expectations can only spell trouble for the majority party. Santa’s delivery of shaky forecasts for Georgia’s economy as GOP leaders stake out their budget positions can only bring glee to otherwise despondent Georgia Democrats.

More ‘no news’ from Iraq has to be at the top of President Bush’s Christmas wish list. As the evidence mounts that the ‘surge’ made a meaningful difference, the mainstream media shied away from reporting on news from Iraq. Just a few months ago, every newspaper, news magazine, and television news lead with the latest death and destruction from Iraq. Undoubtedly, just the non-reporting on Iraq has to be a welcome relief for the White House. Without the constant barrage of bad news, the focus has shifted to a myriad of other issues that have not been all bad for the Administration. If the Federal Reserve Board can fend off a recession, things could improve dramatically for a beleaguered White House. Santa need only deliver a quiet Christmas for the Bushes’ to have a merry Christmas.

Congressional Democrats want a recess. They want to go home. In this political environment, every day the Congress remains in session is a bad day for Congressional Democrats for a couple of reasons. First, a day in Washington, D.C. is a day away from their family, friends, and constituents. Worse yet, it is a day debating spending tax dollars as the Congress faces a long series of appropriations bills. So far, there is no end in sight. The only shortcut is the tempting omnibus (as in super, super big) spending bill. Members of Congress get to go home and taxpayers get the bill - a really, really big bill. And, if such an omnibus bill (if passed) draws the expected Presidential veto, it could be a dark and depressing Christmas for Representatives and Senators. To improve their spirits, Santa needs to deliver a little break from the hard work of governing.

Finally, what could Santa possibly bring to Hillary, Rudy, Barack, Mitt, John, John, Mike, Fred, and the rest of the gang of Presidential candidates slugging around Iowa and New Hampshire during the holidays? Snow, lots of snow - in fact so much snow that every campaign event is cancelled.

So what could possibly be better for the candidates and voters than an unexpected vacation day from Presidential politics for everyone? Well, there is one thing that would be better. Without question, regardless of party or preference, the best Christmas present of all in 2007 would have to be - Sugar Bowl tickets to see the best team in the country play a little football against the undefeated Hawaii warriors. Come on Santa - make everybody happy - deliver some tickets. Go Dawgs! Merry Christmas!

“When you’re an adversary to me, and I oppose you, I go for the jugular vein.” And, former Speaker Tom Murphy meant it.

For twenty-eight years, the honorable gentlemen from Bremen, Georgia served as the Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives. He was no shrinking violet. With every passing year, he steadily increased his power and influence until he became the most powerful man in Georgia.

Once he set his mind to something, he became a charging bull. Usually, it was accompanied by a lot of broken china. Almost always, there would be a few broken bones. More often than not, he got his way. Sometimes by shrewd political acumen; other times by brute political power.

In many ways, Georgia benefited from his political will. It was Tom Murphy who led the way on the World Congress Center, the Georgia Dome, MARTA, and most of Georgia’s major arteries. He understood that progress and growth depended on infrastructure. He wanted Georgia to remain in a growth mode.

One common report regarding Speaker Tom Murphy was that he loved Georgia - just not all Georgians. There was no more partisan Democrat than Tom Murphy. As much as he loved Georgia, he hated Republicans. When the yellow dog Democrat saw a Republican, especially a stand-up Republican, he saw red - really red.

For people who do not believe God has a sense of humor, they need only consider that from 1979 until 1992, Democratic Speaker Tom Murphy’s Congressman was Republican Congressman Newt Gingrich. This was such a sore spot with Speaker Murphy that he made the destruction of Congressman Newt Gingrich’s Congressional district through the reapportionment process his highest single priority in 1991.

His partisan efforts did not pay good dividends. Instead, the dismantling of Gingrich’s district created a splintering of Republican strongholds among a handful of Congressional Districts around western Georgia. Newt Gingrich moved over to Cobb County, which served as a reliable base from which he became the Speaker of the United States Congress. Part of what made this possible was the election of Congressmen Mac Collins and Bob Barr from newly created Congressional districts, comprised of Gingrich’s old district, and supported by well organized local Republican organizations.

Eventually, not even favorably drawn state house district lines could save Representative Tom Murphy from Republican voters in Haralson and Paulding counties. On November 5, 2002, the same day Georgia elected a Republican Governor, Democrat Tom Murphy lost to Republican Bill Heath.

There is some irony in the fact that it will be a Republican Governor and First Lady that will welcome him to the Capitol and it will be a Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives that will invoke a moment of silence in his memory.

In his final visit to the place where he ruled with a partisan iron fist, there is little question that the governing Republicans will treat him much better than he ever treated them.

Republican Speaker Glenn Richardson said this: “While the family of Speaker Murphy has suffered the greatest loss, all Georgians have lost a true friend and a great political leader. The stresses and responsibilities the job of Speaker creates are too many to be counted, and yet, Speaker Murphy handled it all with dignity and distinction for 28 years.”

Republican Governor Sonny Perdue echoed these good words with the following: “As a public servant he always fought for the children of Georgia, our veterans and the disabled. When he rose to speak, people listened, even if they disagreed with his politics. And when he said he was going to act, he kept his word. Speaker Murphy's spirit will forever be part of the General Assembly, and his love for our state should serve as an example for all of us."

These are all far kinder words than the old Georgia Democrat ever said about any Republican. But candidly, he deserved better than he dished out. After all, he was a bulldog.

Now that the book has been closed on the year 2007, many will ask what will 2007 be remembered for? Fortunately, there were no major natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina or the tsunami that devastated so much of the Far East. Thankfully, there were no terrorist attacks like the ones that shook the world in years past. And while the Presidential election has been certainly front and center on the political scene, there were no major political shifts in 2007 like the one that occurred in 2006 when Democrats captured control of both Houses of Congress.

The fact is that many may remember 2007 for what did not happen as opposed to what did.

Of course, in Atlanta, the biggest thing that did not happen was rain. The drought dominated the news as Lake Lanier dropped to historic lows and Atlanta tinkered on the edge of economic catastrophe. As Atlantans pulled together to conserve water, Governor Perdue led a prayer meeting at the State Capitol - and it worked. The rain came. While much remains to be done in terms of preparing Georgia so that future water shortages can be averted, Atlanta’s water supply is slowly recovering thanks to a much needed rainy Christmas season.

While Atlanta welcomed the rain, former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick toiled in prison for illegal dog fighting. His unconscionable conduct made the news around the country in 2007. The descriptions of Michael Vick’s treatment of dogs horrified Americans and disgraced him, and rightly or wrongly, Atlanta. From the pinnacles of popularity to the pit of disdain, Michael Vick now suffers some real pain (personal and financial) of his own. Yet, unlike Michael Vick and his dog fighting compatriots, no one has taken much pleasure in his demise. For twenty-three months, he will have to think about his crime - and about a career that could have been.

Of course, Michael Vick was not the only celebrity to fall on hard times in 2007. Others stumbled as the country watched daily on cable news. Paris Hilton discovered that fame and money may not be enough to avoid jail time for disobeying the law. Lindsay Lohan discovered the same. Anna Nicole Smith proved that things do catch up. And Britney Spears - well, enough said.

While these women proved that they could be every bit as bad as men, other women proved they can just as good and effective and powerful. Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi became the first female Speaker in history. And while her gender did not get her the job, it has also not protected her from the accountability the position requires. Senator Hillary Clinton has endured tough political scrutiny and remains a leading candidate to become her party’s nominee and possibly the next President of the United States.

Then there is Benazir Bhutto - a heroic and historic person. She simultaneously demonstrated how far women have come, and how far they have yet to go - especially in countries and among religions that fail to recognize women as equal and important members of civilized societies. Her campaign for Prime Minister of Pakistan may have ended in death, but her quest to defeat radical terrorists must go on - in Pakistan and in the United States.

General David Petraeus helped with this effort by leading the surge in Iraq to unexpected success. This is no small thing and the world owes him a debt of gratitude. Americans also owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women who selflessly serve in America’s military, whom General Petraeus has aptly bestowed the title of the “New Greatest Generation.”

In addition to the war against terror, immigration topped the list of issues that was important to Americans in 2007. Just as it appeared that Washington, D.C. insiders had worked another political deal aimed at granting amnesty to people who had entered the United States illegally, Americans stood up and said “NO.” The politicians heard them, and the immigration deal of 2007 was defeated.

In contrast, on October 27, 2007, Georgia stood up and said “YES.” The Georgia football team heard them, and the Georgia Bulldogs won. It started with a huge dog pile in the end zone after an early touchdown score. It ended with a final score of Georgia 42 - Florida 30. There was sweet justice in the fact that the Florida Gators’ final fourth quarter comeback drive ended with a fumble by Florida quarterback (and 2007 Heisman trophy winner) Tim Tebow. It was the year of the Dawg.