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!