U.S. Senate gets a voice of reason in Isakson and Isakson is no Zell Miller.
As we know, the ajc endorsed Sen.-elect Johnny Isakson, and today in an editorial entitled "Senate gets a voice of reason in Isakson," the ajc congratulates him as a "a landslide winner embraced by voters across Georgia."
The ajc editorial also notes:
"His even temperament and his inclination to moderation will be especially needed in the coming years.
"The even-tempered voice of moderation may turn out to be a treasured national contribution to the health of representative democracy.
"Georgians know what we're getting in Isakson: a thoughtful and decisive decision-maker with a superb intellect who is able to grasp details and shape them into clear law and coherent policy. That was his approach to public service in the General Assembly, as chairman of the state Board of Education and as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
"Leaders in the U.S. Senate with those qualities become revered in Georgia. Walter F. George, Sam Nunn and Paul Coverdell are all examples of thoughtful men who inspired confidence and grew in public esteem and affection."
_______________
Another writer about Georgia's new junior Senator is by AP writer Dick Pettys. Dick Pettys has covered Georgia government and politics since 1970, and from having gotten to know him this summer, I can tell you that with respect to Georgia politics, Mr. Pettys has been there and done that.
Mr. Pettys' AP article follows:
Georgia's new U.S. senator is no Zell
Republican Johnny Isakson couldn't be more different from retiring Sen. Zell Miller, the quirky, spotlight-loving Democrat who defied his own party and campaigned for President Bush. Yet their careers have been surprisingly linked.
Isakson suffered his first statewide political defeat at Miller's hands in the 1990 governor's race. Six years later after Isakson lost another statewide bid, Miller threw him the lifeline that helped restart his flagging career.
If not for Miller's help, "I wouldn't be here right now," Isakson said.
Isakson, 59, an Atlanta real estate executive, has held Newt Gingrich's old seat in Congress since 1999. Before that, he served 18 years in the state Legislature and chaired the state Board of Education for three years.
Where Miller can be brash, Isakson is cautious. Where Miller moves naturally to center stage, Isakson often prefers to do his work behind the scenes. Where the temperamental Miller can be a bomb thrower, Isakson's first choice is to work toward consensus.
"I don't think you will see from Johnny as much headline grabbing, but rather a pensive consideration of the issues," said former Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes, the man responsible for sending Miller to Washington four years ago.
Following the death of Republican Sen. Paul Coverdell in 2000, Barnes appointed Miller - his predecessor as governor - to fill the vacancy. Miller won election in his own right that year, promising to serve the interests of neither party but only of Georgians.
In fulfilling that promise, Miller increasingly estranged himself from his own party. Isakson, in contrast, is generally at peace with his, though he is not as conservative on abortion as some within his party would like.
Nevertheless, he won 53 percent of the vote in July in a three-way race for the Republican nomination, and in his general election campaign picked up support from an unlikely source - a group of Democratic state legislators.
State Rep. Larry Walker of Perry was leader of the Democratic majority when Isakson led the Republican minority.
"You could count on what he told you," Walker said. "He was reasonable, smart, effective. But more than anything, I always found him to be a gentleman."
The grandson of Swedish immigrants, Isakson became active in Republican politics at a time the party still was struggling for respect. But as the party experienced steady gains, Isakson's career was at rock bottom after losing the 1990 race to Miller and a 1996 bid for the GOP Senate nomination.
Miller asked Isakson in 1996 to serve as chairman of the new school board he was assembling to replace one torn by bickering.
It was a major turning point, Isakson recalled. "That allowed me to rekindle my interest in public service and demonstrate whatever my capabilities are."
Three years later, Isakson's career was back on track when Gingrich resigned from Congress and he was elected to replace him.
(11-03-04 AP.)
The ajc editorial also notes:
"His even temperament and his inclination to moderation will be especially needed in the coming years.
"The even-tempered voice of moderation may turn out to be a treasured national contribution to the health of representative democracy.
"Georgians know what we're getting in Isakson: a thoughtful and decisive decision-maker with a superb intellect who is able to grasp details and shape them into clear law and coherent policy. That was his approach to public service in the General Assembly, as chairman of the state Board of Education and as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
"Leaders in the U.S. Senate with those qualities become revered in Georgia. Walter F. George, Sam Nunn and Paul Coverdell are all examples of thoughtful men who inspired confidence and grew in public esteem and affection."
_______________
Another writer about Georgia's new junior Senator is by AP writer Dick Pettys. Dick Pettys has covered Georgia government and politics since 1970, and from having gotten to know him this summer, I can tell you that with respect to Georgia politics, Mr. Pettys has been there and done that.
Mr. Pettys' AP article follows:
Georgia's new U.S. senator is no Zell
Republican Johnny Isakson couldn't be more different from retiring Sen. Zell Miller, the quirky, spotlight-loving Democrat who defied his own party and campaigned for President Bush. Yet their careers have been surprisingly linked.
Isakson suffered his first statewide political defeat at Miller's hands in the 1990 governor's race. Six years later after Isakson lost another statewide bid, Miller threw him the lifeline that helped restart his flagging career.
If not for Miller's help, "I wouldn't be here right now," Isakson said.
Isakson, 59, an Atlanta real estate executive, has held Newt Gingrich's old seat in Congress since 1999. Before that, he served 18 years in the state Legislature and chaired the state Board of Education for three years.
Where Miller can be brash, Isakson is cautious. Where Miller moves naturally to center stage, Isakson often prefers to do his work behind the scenes. Where the temperamental Miller can be a bomb thrower, Isakson's first choice is to work toward consensus.
"I don't think you will see from Johnny as much headline grabbing, but rather a pensive consideration of the issues," said former Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes, the man responsible for sending Miller to Washington four years ago.
Following the death of Republican Sen. Paul Coverdell in 2000, Barnes appointed Miller - his predecessor as governor - to fill the vacancy. Miller won election in his own right that year, promising to serve the interests of neither party but only of Georgians.
In fulfilling that promise, Miller increasingly estranged himself from his own party. Isakson, in contrast, is generally at peace with his, though he is not as conservative on abortion as some within his party would like.
Nevertheless, he won 53 percent of the vote in July in a three-way race for the Republican nomination, and in his general election campaign picked up support from an unlikely source - a group of Democratic state legislators.
State Rep. Larry Walker of Perry was leader of the Democratic majority when Isakson led the Republican minority.
"You could count on what he told you," Walker said. "He was reasonable, smart, effective. But more than anything, I always found him to be a gentleman."
The grandson of Swedish immigrants, Isakson became active in Republican politics at a time the party still was struggling for respect. But as the party experienced steady gains, Isakson's career was at rock bottom after losing the 1990 race to Miller and a 1996 bid for the GOP Senate nomination.
Miller asked Isakson in 1996 to serve as chairman of the new school board he was assembling to replace one torn by bickering.
It was a major turning point, Isakson recalled. "That allowed me to rekindle my interest in public service and demonstrate whatever my capabilities are."
Three years later, Isakson's career was back on track when Gingrich resigned from Congress and he was elected to replace him.
(11-03-04 AP.)
posted by Sid Cottingham | 6:41 AM
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