For those who are unaware, it appears that the drama with Glenn Richardson, the Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives, may be just the tip of the iceburg.
Right now, current speculation is that Richardson will no longer be Speaker of the House – though that speculation is currently divided on whether it will be voluntary or from being forced out. Along with the speculation about Richardson, certain bloggers are trying to drive speculation about a number of other decently high ranking Representatives, Senators, and even the Lt Governor. Honestly, some of that is stuff even I heard about back when next to NO ONE knew me or this site – meaning it isn’t a well kept secret at all.
The problem for the Republican Party of Georgia is that every bit of this involves Republicans, and prominent Democrats are already starting to capitalize on this fact, with House Minority Leader DuBose Porter already tossing around the phrase “culture of corruption”. Some GOP activists and operators want to try to deflect this by pointing out the corruption that ran rampant under Democrats as well, but the thing these people need to always remember is this: for the average voter, attention spans are EXTREMELY short. Meaning that unless it happened in the last couple of years – if that long – your average voter typically won’t remember it. So the Democratic corruption is ancient history to them – but the Republican corruption will be dead center in their minds come next July and next November.
But right now all of Georgia Politics is scrambling. Some – such as Richardson and others within the GOP – are scrambling on the defense, trying to figure out a way to contain the current situation. Others, such as Porter and other Democrats – as well as some Libertarians and even some within the GOP – are scrambling on offense, trying to find a way to fan the flames without getting burned in the process. All of this is a slow boil right now, a raging fire being contained in a single room waiting for the door to be opened to explode out and consume the entire house.
Will the door be opened? Who will be consumed in the ensuing flash fire? Will the fire be contained, and will there be anyone left unscathed?
These are the types of thoughts on many political minds in Georgia tonight, and every single one of them knows one thing:
Its too quiet for something not to be happening.
