Ussery Endorses Sam Hart

Today, Theron Ussery, who ran for Bibb Commission Chair against Charlie Bishop in the Republican primary, endorsed Democrat, Sam Hart. At the 9 a.m. press conference, Ussery said, among other things, that we need a whole lot more cooperation and a whole lot less ego on the Commission. Amen.

This is a great boost to the Hart campaign, and must give Bishop pause as he considers his chances in November.

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Sam Hart Set to Make Major Campaign Announcement

Sam Hart, the Democratic nominee for County Commission Chair will make a major campaign announcement tomorrow morning, August 5th at 9 a.m. at the campaign headquarters located at 486 Poplar Street in Macon. You are invited to attend. For more information call Gisele Harris at 478-254-2899.

I can't tell you what it is , but it's big. Really big. Stay tuned!

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Elmo Richardson: Expert on "White Democrats"

What, exactly, did Bibb County Commissioner Elmo Richardson mean by this comment in the Telegraph yesterday?

But Elmo Richardson, who aside from Bishop is the only other Republican on the Bibb commission, said it's still early to accurately predict how county races might play out in the coming months. He said many Republicans crossed over Tuesday to vote in the sheriff's race, which may partly explain the high number of voters on the Democratic side. More people voted in that race than any other local contest. And in November, Bishop might be positioned to attract white Democrats who won't vote for Obama and will turn instead to the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain. (Emphasis mine) "I think Bishop will probably pick up a lot there," Richardson said.

While it's good to know that there is a local expert on the behavior of "white Democrats," if I were Elmo, I wouldn't be holding my breath.

For starters, my skin might be white, but that doesn't make me stupid. The housing market is collapsing around us, people are standing in lines hoping to get their money from failing banks, GM is scrambling to keep the doors open, airlines can't keep planes in the sky, and I'm pumping $4.50 a gallon gas. Seriously, please look back over the terms of Bush I and Bush II and tell me why we should ever again trust Republican economic policy. Not only will "white Democrats" vote for Obama, lots of Republicans will, too. He could be green with purple spots, and it wouldn't matter.

Second, has it occurred to Elmo that lots of "white Democrats" have already voted for Obama? Has Richardson ever been to Iowa? You know, the 97% white state that gave Obama his first victory of the election season? Perhaps Richardson thinks that only Southern "white Democrats" vote based on race, but then he would have to find a reason for Obama's margin of victory in Georgia. Sure, the African American turnout was high here, but Obama dominated his opponents, winning more than 66% of the vote to Clinton's 31%. Looks to me like a significant number white Democrats in Georgia have already voted for Obama, and it would be a mistake to assume that those who voted for Clinton did so because of the color of the candidate's skin.

Finally, if I were Elmo, I wouldn't assume that everyone who votes for McCain will also vote for Bishop. They have little in common other than the "R" behind their name. Most folks I talk with are far less concerned about the Chair's party than about his ability to work well with others, particularly with the City of Macon. On that, Bishop, who on those grounds failed to earn the endorsement of the Telegraph, faces an uphill fight to convince voters that he has changed. And, then there are the numbers. As Matt Barnwell points out, Sam Hart, the Democrat running unopposed in the primary got 8,734 votes to Bishop's 2,620. Bishop's opponent, Theron Ussery has a very strong showing with 1995 votes. Over all, Barnwell points out, "Hart outpaced the entire Republican field in that race nearly two to one." Did it occur to Elmo that no one who crossed over to vote in the sheriff's race had to go on down the ballot and put a mark beside Sam Hart's name in an uncontested race? Plus, if I were Charlie, I wouldn't be relying on the votes of all those Ussery supporters.

Where does this leave us? Charlie Bishop's hopes for re-election are fading faster than a pair of blue jeans dunked in Clorox.

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Ussery Scores Telegraph Endorsement

It's something when the primary challenger beats out the incumbent for the endorsement of the local newspaper. That's exactly what happened today when the Telegraph gave the nod to Republican Theron Ussery in the Bibb Commission Chair race. Theron hasn't raised a lot of money in his effort to oust Bibb Commission Chair Charlie Bishop. If he had raised enough money to effectively communicate with voters, I think Bishop would really be sweating Tuesday's primary. Bishop's inability to work well with others was apparently what swayed the editorial board.

Ussery is certainly the better candidate, but he did not run the stronger campaign, so I suspect that Bishop will prevail on Tuesday. Regardless, Sam Hart has an excellent opportunity to win in November. Everyone I talk with is ready for leadership that puts the well being of this community ahead of ego.

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Sam Hart: A Sign of the Times

I really like Sam's logo. What do you think?

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Republican Pundit Cites Bishop's Vulnerability

Here's another example of why I think Charlie Bishop is in deep trouble. Republican pundit and City Council member Erick Erickson has posted a thoughtful piece about all the reasons why Bishop's re-election will be "difficult." Erickson, who managed Bishop's campaign in 2004, will be "sitting this race out." That's a very bad sign for Bishop. Erickson sees a tough row to hoe for Bishop against Sam Hart, especially if Obama is the nominee. I agree with Erick. Even if Obama is not the nominee, the desire for change, progress and a little statesmanship in government was made clear in Reichert's election. I think we'll see the same thing in the Chairman's race. People are going to cross party lines for a competent leader who works and plays well with others. Plus, I'm already hearing about campaign tactics that are sure to turn off voters.

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Hmmm...

Those pesky sign elves are at it again. By tonight at 8 p.m., the Big Bishop sign still sat in the right-of-way at the corner of Bass and Rivoli, but the Ussery and Allen signs has disappeared! Imagine that.

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Bishop Battles for Right-of-Way Vote

Looks like Bishop responded to my post about his lack of support in North Bibb by planting a sign a rock's throw from my house. Yes, indeed, the Chairman, along with his Republican opponent, Ussery and Jimmy Allen (who is running against Elmo Richardson), all enjoy the support of the residents of corner of Bass and Rivoli. Yep, the crickets living in that spot have a giant green and yellow Bishop sign, along with a sign for Ussery and Allen. I guess it's a house divided. Actually, NO ONE lives in that spot and these giant monster signs are planted in the right-of-way in violation of county ordinances. You'd think that a former police officer, who is currently chair of the Bibb County Commission, and one who wants to be, would know the county's laws and follow them. Signs in right-of-ways REALLY don't vote.

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North Macon Looks Like Ussery Territory

The Bibb Commission chair race is heating up, and Charlie Bishop has not one, but two, fights on his hands. He probably shouldn't pick any more. Sam Hart stepped up to the plate last month with an impressive 25K in the bank, and from the signs I'm seeing in yards, North Bibb looks like Ussery territory to me. Vineville, too. I suspect that Chairman Bishop is feeling just a little bit nervous about right now. I'm sure he expected a fight in the general election, but now it looks as though the momentum in the Republican primary is with Ussery. Bishop may not even survive that primary to face a strong Sam Hart in the fall. Some elected officials may feel pressure to support Bishop, or to stay out of the race, in an effort to protect their own seats, but they shouldn't worry. Change is in the air in Macon. It's time to get on that train or pack up your office.

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Sam Hart Set to Announce Bid for Bibb Commission Chair

Today at 4 pm, Sam Hart will announce today his intention to run for Chairman of the Bibb County Commission. The announcement will be made at the Bibb County Courthouse, in commission chambers. Everyone is welcome to attend, and I hope you will. Personally, I'm pleased to see someone with Sam's integrity and experience running for this important post. Some people say that Sam is the quiet voice on the commission. I suspect he learned a long time ago that you learn more from listening than from talking. It is time for Macon and Bibb County to have leaders at the helm who can bring people together to solve the tough problems facing this community. Good luck, Sam!

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