We're Turning a Corner

In Macon, that is. There's been much predicting and prognosticating in the last week, but no one really knows what's going to happen. As far as I know, no one has done any real polling, and the situation is Macon is unique. Here are some of the key factors that will impact this election:

• We've been to hell and back with Jack Ellis. Lots of hopes were dashed, lots of folks got burned. Mayor Ellis got himself in so much trouble that when he did have a good idea, or did something good, people were skeptical, and that ended up being as much of a problem as anything else.
• People seem generally dissatisfied with local government. I'll bet if we had "approval ratings" for the mayor and city council, they'd be competing for the basement with the President and Congress.
• For the first time in eight years, the mayor's seat is open.
• Robert Brown has been very, very quiet making some wonder how much of a factor he will be tomorrow. The word was that he and Reichert struck and deal. Is that true? And if so, what value is that deal if Robert is not visible in his race?
• Key Republicans are pushing other Republicans to vote in the Democratic primary. This will benefit Reichert, Hutto, Schlesinger, Moffett and Ellington.
• Turnout has been high in early voting. I predict that more than 21,000 will vote in this primary, and that's about 10% more than in the past two Democratic primaries for mayor.

Though I have predicted otherwise, it's just possible that Robert Reichert will become Macon's next mayor without a runoff. The Morning Post Office Committee says that lots of African Americans are planning to vote for Reichert; they are uninspired by the other candidates. No matter what happens, Macon is turning a corner. I think that this election is about change. That's bad news for incumbents, but probably good news for the city.

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