Political Power
Poll
With the Georgia
Legislature set to resume meeting less than 4 months away,
Impeached takes an early look at who's who among the
political players.
1. Sonny Perdue- When
a man can veto the state budget to include a bass
fishing tournament, he has some power. This former
University of Georgia football player is still the
cream of the crop for the upcoming session. Want to
challenge him? Go for it, he will crush you just like
he did Mark Taylor in the last election. If he has a
weakness right now it is that he may be resting on his
laurels. While he has been fishing, others have been
doing things like trying to save Grady Hospital and
even introduce new tax plans.
Despite that, he is still the perennial power house and
should have a good showing.
2. Mei Lan- Let's face
it, the baby panda from China is the most popular girl
in the state (sorry Buckhead Brothel). If she wants
bamboo, she gets bamboo. If she wants a multi-billion
dollars company to relocate in Georgia, she gets it.
Her only weaknesses are that, even though she was born
in America, she is treated like a illegal alien and
will be deported soon. Otherwise, she is clearly the
most recognizable, lovable figure in the southeast.
3. Phil
Gingrey- Since he shaved off his signature
mustache, there has been a buzz around the Gingrey
camp. Critics say he looks years younger and women say
he is 'dreamy.' He has always been a heavy-hitter, but
sans the stache he is another realm. Look for the US
congressman to push new legislation on that caps
moneys spent on earmarks. If successful, Gingrey could
completely end every form of government corruption.
4. Neal
Boortz- He only spends 30 minutes a day on
local issues before his radio show goes on a national
feed, but his voice is still powerful in the state.
Now, if he would just realize the FairTax will never
happen, he might accomplish something.
5. Newt Gingrich- He
teased us all with a possible presidential campaign,
but in the end he left us high and dry (like his
previous wives). Sure he has no office and his fall
from grace is well documented, but the state is
fascinated by him. Many politicians still speak highly
of him and he no stranger to a microphone. The former
speaker still exudes political power and is teaching a
entirely new generation about the wonders of
hypocrisy.
6. Vernon Jones- He recently began an interview
with Neal Boortz in laughter. When Boortz asked what was so
funny, Jones just said he was keeping his pants up. Well,
pants up or down, he is a political force. He is in the
middle of a Senate campaign, which means he will have to
find some fans outside of DeKalb. As long as Cynthia
McKinney decides to run for office (any office) he should
be able to stay under the radar as the 'other' black
candidate.
7. Cynthia McKinney- She slipped down the
rankings only because she is flirting with the Green Party.
She is still the state's favorite female congresswoman to
hate, but since there have been very few police officer
beatings in D.C. she has been out of the public eye. Once
she makes it official that she is running for office, she
will have an immediate impact on the political paradigm in
Georgia. It will go from stable, calm and reserved to "Oh
my God!"
8. Chris Krok- Where else would to go to
hear your hate-filled anti-Mike Vick talk? Krok's verbal
lashing, personal attacks and ability to judge have made
him a fixture at the coveted 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. time slot.
We admit he might be overrated on this list, but than
again, so is his radio show.
9. David Scott- His district has been
gerrymandered and then gerrymandered some more, but all he
does is get reelected. He stays out of the news and seems
to care about his constituents. Which seems good, but not
really enough to be on a power poll. Congressman Scott is
being placed here simply because his brother-in-law is Hank
Aaron. It doesn't get much more powerful than that.
10. Voters- Surprisingly, voters actually
do make a difference. They just barely made the vote this
time (power is only useful if you use it). Low voter
turnouts have been the norm this year whether it be special
elections, city votes or otherwise. But as 2008 is a
presidential election year, politicians will actually have
to care about what voters think.
Losing ground
1. Stone
Mountain- We get in one little water drought and
Stone Mountain totally folds up shop, depriving the entire
of state of authentic machine-made snow. children across
the state will once again watch Frosty the Snowman this
holiday season in confusion.
2. Cathy Cox- She lost to Mark Taylor in
the primaries last year in an attempt to be Governor. Since
then she has all but left the political scene and is now
working for Young Harris College, a Christian school in
North Georgia. She might have saved herself from eternal
damnation in hell, but she is completely off our power
poll.
Mike Vick- The admission of dog fighting
charges has really hurt his chances of having an impact in
this state. While Vick still maintains a good amount of
power, it is in a "ew, I need to take a shower' way.
Up and coming
1. John
Smoltz- He should be governor! We have already
covered this. Check it
out.
2. Victor Hill- He is short. He is
arrogant. He fights with other Clayton County leaders. But
somehow, despite constantly suspending the AJC and other
papers, he gets in name in the media. He has already
started a heavy campaign to keep his seat as sheriff and we
expect to see his face every where come this time next
year.