I helped Sonny Perdue win in 1990(his first race for State Senate); in a Houston County based district; in those days, the only race that mattered was the Democratic Primary and in the first primary Sonny missed out of avoiding a runoff by like 33 votes or some such; the runoff was just a brutal slugfest between Sonny and an even more co…
I helped Sonny Perdue win in 1990(his first race for State Senate); in a Houston County based district; in those days, the only race that mattered was the Democratic Primary and in the first primary Sonny missed out of avoiding a runoff by like 33 votes or some such; the runoff was just a brutal slugfest between Sonny and an even more conservative named Stewart Bloodworth; the race actually split family's because the Houston County political old guard had much cross pollination if you get my meaning
Apparently the reason for his party switch was because he didn't get along with the Senate Majority Leader Charles Walker, who would eventually become a convicted felon. Before his switch, Perdue had been talked about as a future Democratic statewide candidate and had strong relations with Lieutenant Governor Pierre (pronounced Pier for those of you unfamiliar with Georgia politics) Howard. I maintain Howard doesn't back out of the 1998 race for Governor, he wins that, then cruises to reelection in 2002.
agreed; i knew Pierre Howard personally(his wife was one of the richest women in the state); he would have swamped almost anyone with cash and he was very nice guy and popular(hardly a bad thing could be said about him and he was a UGA tennis star to boot so he had many political tentacles at his disposal); Roy Barnes had a difficult relationship with Zell Miller, whereas Howard made easy friends with most everyone in politics(his wife's money didnt hurt in that regard either)
Which begs the question, what would have happened had Barnes appointed Howard and not Miller to the US Senate in 2000 when Coverdell died? Miller was clearly done with electoral politics after surviving that hard 1994 reelection battle for Governor and had rebuffed Democratic Party efforts - including a personal call from President Clinton - to challenge Coverdell in 1998. The fact that it took Barnes THREE times to get Miller to run in 2000 speaks for itself.
another thing here is Charles Walker was a huge dude; think of a black John Fetterman(i once shook hands with him and it was like a bear paw); im 6 foot and Walker towered over me
I helped Sonny Perdue win in 1990(his first race for State Senate); in a Houston County based district; in those days, the only race that mattered was the Democratic Primary and in the first primary Sonny missed out of avoiding a runoff by like 33 votes or some such; the runoff was just a brutal slugfest between Sonny and an even more conservative named Stewart Bloodworth; the race actually split family's because the Houston County political old guard had much cross pollination if you get my meaning
Apparently the reason for his party switch was because he didn't get along with the Senate Majority Leader Charles Walker, who would eventually become a convicted felon. Before his switch, Perdue had been talked about as a future Democratic statewide candidate and had strong relations with Lieutenant Governor Pierre (pronounced Pier for those of you unfamiliar with Georgia politics) Howard. I maintain Howard doesn't back out of the 1998 race for Governor, he wins that, then cruises to reelection in 2002.
agreed; i knew Pierre Howard personally(his wife was one of the richest women in the state); he would have swamped almost anyone with cash and he was very nice guy and popular(hardly a bad thing could be said about him and he was a UGA tennis star to boot so he had many political tentacles at his disposal); Roy Barnes had a difficult relationship with Zell Miller, whereas Howard made easy friends with most everyone in politics(his wife's money didnt hurt in that regard either)
Which begs the question, what would have happened had Barnes appointed Howard and not Miller to the US Senate in 2000 when Coverdell died? Miller was clearly done with electoral politics after surviving that hard 1994 reelection battle for Governor and had rebuffed Democratic Party efforts - including a personal call from President Clinton - to challenge Coverdell in 1998. The fact that it took Barnes THREE times to get Miller to run in 2000 speaks for itself.
great question; i feel like Howard was a star that never reached his full potential
another thing here is Charles Walker was a huge dude; think of a black John Fetterman(i once shook hands with him and it was like a bear paw); im 6 foot and Walker towered over me