Jim Galloway, in a couple of classic sentences and in Galloway's unique style and touch, sort of summed up the Speaker's situation.

Jim Galloway wrote in the AJC's Political Insider before the resignation was announced:

In a matter of days, following a confessed suicide attempt on Nov. 8, the second most powerful figure in the state Capitol has gone from the state’s poster child for depression to – by the televised description of his ex-wife – a man obsessed.

One is discomfiting but politically acceptable. The other is not.

Richardson’s transformation began with a mesmerizing interview of Susan Richardson, conducted by WAGA’s Dale Russell.