Obama Picked UNC, I Picked Obama

Actually, both John McCain and Barack Obama released their NCAA "brackets" today, and both McCain and Obama and picked UNC to win the tournament. This may be the only time between now and November when they're both right. And, Obama did better than I did in the first round. I missed ten, he missed six.

GO HEELS!!

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Flu-ish

Sorry for the absence from this page. I think I've had the flu. Or something very much like the flu. Flu-ish. Victor, in particular, has been watching closely, asking for my definition of "tomorrow" and hoping for the rest of the post on City Council attendance. I'm still checking some numbers and trying to decide the most fair way to report the data. Every member of Council is assigned to committees. Some of the members are assigned to committees that meet more often than other committees, and some of the members go out of their way to attend all the meetings-whether or not they are actually members of those committees. One thing is for sure-if you are elected to City Council, and make half an effort to be informed about City business, you are going to attend a whole lot of meetings. And, if you choose not to attend the committee meetings, you risk being uninformed and probably should avoid commenting on what happened at the meeting you failed to attend. More, I hope, tomorrow.

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Something to think about...

"This war has now lasted longer than World War I, World War II, or the Civil War.
Nearly four thousand Americans have given their lives. Thousands more have been wounded. Even under the best-case scenarios, this war will cost American taxpayers well over a trillion dollars."
Barack Obama (March 19, 2008)

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Jim Martin for Senate

Long anticipated, Jim Martin announced today that he will challenge Saxby Chambliss for U.S. Senate. Jim makes the sixth Democrat to join this race, and he has my unequivocal support. I read the announcement, and then I clicked over to the website and made a contribution. Jim brings a wealth of experience and unquestioned integrity to the race. Months ago, I detailed his qualifications here. Welcome to the race, Jim, and best of luck!

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Obama Delievers Historic Speech on Race

I believe Obama just sewed up the nomination.

My sister is my political barometer. She's a SC democrat, but she doesn't drink quite as much Koolaide as I do. So, I listen to her, in part, to figure out how "normal" people are reacting to whatever is going on in the political world. She supported Edwards and now supports Obama, but last week, on one of my particularly busy days, she called me and said, "You better tell Obama to 'do something' about that pastor because I've got to tell you, I can't vote for him if that's who's going to be advising him when he's sitting in the Oval office, making decisions about war and peace." (Sometimes I think she pictures a red phone on my desk that speed dials Obama's cellphone.) That's when I knew the pastor/church story was going to have some serious legs. But today, my sister called again. She had just heard Obama's speech on race, and she said, "I believe this speech will go down in history as one of the great speeches ever given on race in this country. There should be no doubt in anyone's mind after listening that this man can and should be the next President." I then listened to what I do think is an historic speech and encourage you to do the same. I agree with her. How can this man not become President?

The video is below, and here's the full transcript courtesy of MSNBC.

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Macon City Council, By the Numbers

According to records I received today from the City of Macon, in response to an Open Records Act request, the vast majority of Macon's City Council members are doing an outstanding job of showing up for council meetings, work sessions and committee meetings. Many council members not only attend the committees they are assigned to, but they also make a lot of the meetings of the committees they are not assigned to. It is to be expected that members will sometimes be absent. People get sick. Families have crises. Things happen. But, showing up is an important part of serving, so here goes.

Based on the information from the City:

Of Macon's fifteen council members, ten have attended 100% of the five full council meetings held since they were sworn in on December 11th. (12/11,12/18,1/15, 2/5, 2/19, 3/4)

The Perfect Attendance Certificates go to: Ellington, Watkins, White, DeFore, Hutto, Miley, Paris, Schlesinger, Benedict and Timley.

Cranford, Jones and Lucas have attended four of the five meetings.

Ross and Erickson have attended three of the five meetings.

As is true with most legislative bodies, most of the "real" work happens in committee, so tomorrow, I will post the % of attendance at assigned committees. Overall, I think you'll be impressed. Nine members have attended all of the meetings of all of their assigned committees, but I'm checking the numbers for one member who seems to have attended less than half of the meetings of his assigned committees. More on that later. And, several members will get gold stars for also attending the majority of the meetings of committees to which they are not assigned. One has attended 18 meetings of non-assigned committees. Want to guess who that is?

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Politics and Lunch, Redux

POLITICS AND LUNCH IS BACK!
Friday, March 28th at Noon
SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER: MACON MAYOR ROBERT REICHERT

We’ve heard you. After taking three months off, Politics and Lunch is back and promises to be better than ever. Make plans NOW to be part of the special kick-off luncheon on Friday, March 28th at noon. We will be at a BRAND NEW location, The City Club of Macon, 355 First Street, Fourth Floor and Macon Mayor Robert Reichert will be our special guest speaker. As always, Politics and Lunch is a monthly “lunch and learn” event for all who are interested in how politics connects with public policy and quality of life in our community. There is no membership requirement and everyone is welcome to attend, but there are some important changes:

· We do need to know that you are coming, so RSVP to AmyMorton@aol.com by 3/26.

· The cost for lunch, including an excellent buffet, non-alcoholic drink, tax and tip is now $15.00. All who attend will be expected to pay for lunch, so plan to come and enjoy a delicious meal.

· NO CREDIT OR DEBIT CARDS. PLEASE bring correct change or plan to write a check to the City Club. The City Club is not set up to take individual payments, so local attorney Jim Rockefeller will be acting a treasurer and collecting the money for the group. Help Jim by having your correct change ready!

Special thanks to The Boston Law Firm and Macon City Councilwomen Lauren Benedict for making it possible to have the luncheon this month at The City Club. Finding a great restaurant with enough space has been a challenge. This is a trial run this month at the City Club to see how we like it and how it works out for the Club. We can help make this the permanent home by giving the Club an accurate head count, so please be sure to send your RSVP to AmyMorton@aol.com or call (478) 741-1138. See you there!

Lauren Benedict
Amy Morton
Jim Rockefeller

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Which Macon City Council Member Has the Best-and Worst-Attendance Record?

With all the talk about the attendance records of our state legislators, I decided that it was a good time to do a little checking on our local elected officials. I started with Macon City Council and did an open records request last week for the attendance records for the new council (from December 11 forward) for council meetings, committee meetings and work sessions. I am tabulating as we speak, and you can check back here tonight for the results. You may be surprised at the results. I'll check on County Commission, School Board and Water Authority, next.

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See Ya' in the Final Four, Flack

UNC rocked this weekend, and it looks like Flack's Jayhawks did okay, too. See you in the Final Four Flack!

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Poll: Should Macon Become a "City of Ethics"?

There seems to be a little disagreement over whether Macon City Council should pass the resolution that will make us eligible to become a GMA-designated City of Ethics. This entails, among other steps, establishing a local ethics panel to review complaints and take action if merited. Some council members are just a bit reluctant. What do you think we should do?

Opinion Polls & Market Research

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But, Erick, the Way is Narrow that Leads to Life

I'm not sure what Erick's problem is with taking the necessary steps to make Macon a designated "City of Ethics." This was one of Robert Reichert's most popular campaign promises. On the heels of an administration that failed to inspire public confidence, this was a breath of fresh air. Is there really someone out there who doesn't want elected officials and, in this instance, city employees to be highly accountable to the public? Yet, Erickson says that The Road to Hell is Paved With Ethics Resolutions. He goes on to say that he, as a political consultant often encourages third parties who are supporting a candidate to file ethics complaints "at the mere hint of any impropriety." Okay, well, we'll be looking for that...but seriously, how can Council NOT pass this legislation?

But, hey, if a local ethics board makes you uncomfortable, roll the dice. I'm betting a vote against this writes your opponents first piece of campaign mail.

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Now, There's a Political Ad that Works

You've got to see this.

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Ferraro Out of Bounds

Clinton's surrogates aren't helping her much today. If these comments by Ferraro (one of Clinton's top advisers and most successful fundraisers) are reported accurately, then Clinton best not keep quiet. The level of discourse in this race has dipped to an embarrassing level. Both candidates need to get a handle on their spokespeople. Keep this up, and a once-energized electorate will stay home rather than voting in November.

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Martin Thinking of Running?

Creative Loafing is reporting that Jim Martin is considering a run for Senate. I have already written about this extensively. To this news, I have but one more word:

YIPPEE!!!!

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Spitzer is no gentleman

Here we go again. It seems everytime that a politician - Vitter, Craig, and now Spitzer - is caught having an affair, carrying on in a bathroom, or being involved with a prostitute, it is not enough for the offender to say their mea culpa before the media. Instead of having the public judgment reserved only for them, these men who have acted so badly force their wives to share the shameful spotlight with them. How about having a backbone for a change and take sole responsibility for what you and you alone did? Leave your wife out of it. She's not the one who acted inappropriately. Shame on you Eliot Spitzer, and shame on this political tactic.

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