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Isakson's decision sets pot boiling in Georgia
By Dick Pettys
InsiderAdvantage Georgia
May 8, 2008 — U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson set Georgia politics on its head Thursday with his announcement he won’t be seeking the governor’s office, negating what was about as much of a foregone conclusion as there was in this state. Quickly, as many as six Republican elected officials were reported to be actively engaged in or considering running for governor in the wake of Isakson’s surprise announcing that he will run for re-election to the Senate rather than the state’s highest office. Among those reportedly considering the race are Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Secretary of State Karen Handel, Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine (who already has announced), U.S. Reps. Jack Kinston and Lynn Westmoreland and another prominent state House member.In addition, Republican money is moving quickly to seek a business person to fill the void left by Isakson.A Republican insider said, “The Atlanta business community, in an overzealous effort to gain the governor’s office, put Johnny (Isakson) in an untenable situation, forcing him to make a decision before too many candidates jumped into not only a gubernatorial race but became committed to a U.S. Senate effort, as well. GOP business leaders are actively courting a well-known, long-established Republican business figure as an alternative to Cagle and to the more conservative candidates who they view to be ‘unacceptable.’”Joan Kirchner, Isakson's deputy chief of staff, gave us this comment as to the why's and wherefore's of Isakson's decision:“Johnny told our staff he loves serving in the Senate and loves working to get positive results for the people of Georgia and the nation. Johnny also said that he feels this presidential election is one of the most important in our nation’s history and the Senate will be a critical legislative body in the coming years because of that.”Said Matt Towery, InsiderAdvantage CEO: "Johnny had basically reached this decision several weeks ago. I think he felt that all of the rumors and speculation were taking away from his ability to concentrate on very serious issues that face the Senate and, really, the country in the years to come.”Particularly from within the business community, there had been a strong effort to persuade Isakson to forego re-election and, instead, return to Georgia and help sort out what some have described as a dysfunctional statehouse under GOP rule.“Knowing Johnny as I do, I don’t think that he ever felt very comfortable with the concept that some in the leadership community would attempt to ‘crown him’ as governor,” said Towery. “Every race that he has ever run, he has won in his own right and on his own terms. And I think he wants to keep it that way.” Isakson’s decision clearly will re-set the 2010 election calculus. It’s a bonus, of course, for potential gubernatorial candidates. Not so for those who might have been eyeing what they hoped was a vacant Isakson seat. And the effect will be felt up and down the ballot.University of Georgia political scientist Charles Bullock said Isakson's decision not to enter the race will "sunbstantially increase the numbers of players (in the 2010 campaign.) A lot of people - probably as we speak - are plotting how they're going to be in the governor's mansion in 2011, with John Oxendine being first out of the chute.As an example of the fallout the Isakson decision is having, reliable sources have told Insider that Senate President Pro Tem Eric Johnson now is eyeing the 2010 lieutenant governor's race if Cagle decides to try to jump from the No. 2 spot to the No. 1 post
Meanwhile, Oxendine, as the only announced candidate so far in the race two years from now, issued this statement:"Johnny Isakson, along with Paul Coverdell, John Linder, Newt Gingrich and Mack Mattingly, is a founder and architect of the modern day Georgia Republican Party. Senator Isakson continued his service and leadership to the people of Georgia as a leader in the Georgia General Assembly, Chairman of the Georgia Board of Education, and as a member of the United States House of Representatives. Today, Johnny Isakson
continues his leadership as a Member of the United States Senate. " Like all Georgians, I salute Senator Isakson for his leadership and congratulate him on his decision to seek re-election to the United States Senate. Ivy and I will work tirelessly on behalf of his re-election. Georgia needs the leadership of Senator Isakson and Senator Chambliss in Washington. Together, they make an effective team working hard for the
taxpayers of Georgia." It is my hope, as I campaign across Georgia, to earn what Senator Isakson already has – the trust, confidence, and support of all Georgians. I will use his years of leadership and personal character as my inspiration as I seek to serve the people of Georgia as Governor."Ivy and I thank Johnny and Dianne for their service to Georgia. I have placed a call to Senator Isakson to offer my congratulations on this important decision and we will send our personal contribution to his re-election campaign." |
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