Inside Scoop

Posted 12/30/2002 07:20:00 PM by Rules Guy
Because of a concerted campaign by Democrats, and sloppy reporting by the national media, a couple of distortions about the recent elections in Georgia are in danger of permanently lodging themselves in the public consciencenous, and in the process smearing the reputations of two good men.
Saxby Chambliss ran an agressive campaign against Max Cleland, but he never questioned Cleland's patriotism. He questioned Cleland's leadership, which was non-existant in the Senate. Max Cleland held a seat that was previously filled by leaders like Sam Nunn, and he had frankly done nothing for our nation or for Georgia, and that is why he was replaced.
Sonny Perdue was outspent by $17 million, and yet still won. Pundits immediately declared that he won because Roy Barnes was governmor when Georgia changed the state flag, removing the Confederate battle emblem. Barnes lost because he spent four years running roughshod over lots of interest groups (teachers, parents, environmentalists, and yes, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, among others.) Barnes also allowed the state to carved into absurd maps during redistricting in an effort to retain power for the Democrats. In the end, it all came back to haunt him in one of the greatest upsets in political history.
Again, the first draft of history is being written, and it is wrong. Let's do our best to correct it as we go along.