All Politics Is Local

by DemFromCT

Tip O'Neill was never more right. While there are folks who know much more than I about GA politics, when the WaPo uses Ralph Reed as their cover boy cautionary tale, you know the tentacles are spread far and wide.

Ralph Reed, candidate for lieutenant governor, had just finished his opening statement to the Dawson County Republican Party when retired pulp paper executive Gary Pichon sprang from his seat with a question that cut to the chase:

"Did you accept any gifts, commissions or other payments of any kind from Mr. Abramoff, and are you likely to be a party in the unfolding investigation?"

Silence enveloped the 60 or so Republicans in the auditorium, and Reed's cheerful manner turned tense. "No," he replied. "No to all these."

And not the last time that question will be asked. For example, Bob Ney's neck is on the chopping block:

Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, announced Sunday he would temporarily relinquish his chairmanship of the House Administration Committee, which oversees lobbying, as the corruption investigation into former lobbyist Jack Abramoff moves deeper into the workings of Congress.

Think he wanted to do that? No, I don't either. But review the GOP House leader race, and see if any of the candidates can escape the taint. Abramoff is going to be the gift that keeps on giving, and it's because the culture of corruption really is the embodiment of 'all poitlcs is local'.

Comments

[DemFromCT]

Ruy has a nice summary of the anti-incumbent mood, and the realities in 2006.

[free patriot]

Abramoff is great for liberals, and really BAD for Iran (if you know what I mean)

Fitzmas is gonna come around again soon

when is the next Libby Court date, anybody know ???

anybody wanna bet on the date when george tries to "change the subject" ???

[Newsie8200]

IMHO, I'd be hammering Ney over the head for personally lobbying Powell to RELAX sanctions against Iran. The corruption angle works twice as well, when a lawmaker is bribed and acts against the interests of our national security.

[James]

The question for Georgia Republicans is whether or not Reed is worth the risk. He has very loyal allies in the social conservative branch of the GA GOP, like Sadie Fields, but the GOP should probably be able to count on those votes with or without Reed. The corporate types or the quasi-moderates who live in the suburbs of Atlanta may not be as trusting of Reed.

If the races in Georgia are close, and Democrats manage to give strong challenges for governor and lt. governor, then Reed could either be a drag on the ticket, or a bonus for wingnut turnout.

I wouldn't be surprised if the GA Republicans silently worked to make Reed lose the primary (if they can) and then put a gay adoption/foster care ban on the November ballot to ensure the Reed loyalists will show up and vote even if he isn't on the ballot.