Well, at least this would be a married (to each other) couple, if it happens.
Yesterday, Jim Galloway reported on speculation that Carol Porter -the wife of DuBose Porter, who is a Democratic candidate for Governor- is considering a run for Lt Governor. Steve and Dustin over at Ga Liberal both readily jumped behind the idea.
Apparently, this speculation started after Carol spoke for DuBose at a National Federation of Independent Businesses event and from all accounts did a superb job. See for yourself here:
A few commenters on Galloway’s blog are already calling this a publicity stunt. It could be, and it could be that Carol truly is seriously considering this. I’ve yet to meet the Porters, so I honestly don’t know. But as a publicity stunt, it sure is a good one, almost guaranteed to bring increased media exposure to DuBose’s campaign – something that any candidate with his lack of name recognition needs almost more than money.
But my honest first reaction to this news? Maybe I’m being a bit pessimistic, maybe my x-ray vision is out of focus again, but I honestly think this could be something else entirely. The classic way for a David to defeat a Goliath is misdirection and distraction. Make your opponent see one thing while doing something completely different.
No candidate officially files for the office as far as actually putting their name on a ballot until the last week of April – around April 24 or so. With this news, people are expecting a filing for Lt Governor with the Porter name on it.
Make your opponent see one thing while doing something completely different.
I think we will see a Porter filing to be placed on the ballot in the Lt Governor’s race – but I think it may well be DuBose Porter.
The issues in the two races are very much the same, and with the rumors of sexual misconduct on the part of Casey Cagle, DuBose’s already established themes could play well. I’ve heard of rumblings from my (few, unfortunately) sources in the Democratic Party to have DuBose run for Lt Governor, and I think he would be a good fit there. From my perspective as a watcher, I’d like someone in that office with legislative experience, and DuBose has nearly 30 years of service in the House of Representatives, including a few years now as Minority Leader.
Casey Cagle would absolutely eat Carol Porter alive in that matchup – as dynamic and charismatic as she may be, I just don’t see someone with no public office experience of her own being qualified to take the top elected legislative position in the State, particularly against a man of Cagle’s influence and political skill.
Match up Cagle against DuBose Porter though, and I think Porter stands a fair shot at pulling out the W.
Besides, I just don’t think Georgians will go for a Governor and Lt Governor who are literally in bed with each other – married or not.
While it could be (As all things are possible), I really doubt that it is a publicity student. Carol Porter is a business woman and she is very, VERY sharp on her politics. She has never played the role of the “politician’s wife,” she was always there, engaged in the dialogue, and trying to help move Georgia forward.
So, I hope she does run!