Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for December 6, 2019

On December 7, 1801, Georgia’s United States Senator Abraham Baldwin was elected President Pro Tem of the Senate.

On December 6, 1847, Dr. William White spoke to a group of Atlanta residents about a proposal to move the state capital to Atlanta and was met with cheers.

President Abraham Lincoln issued his Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction on December 8, 1863.

First, it allowed for a full pardon for and restoration of property to all engaged in the rebellion with the exception of the highest Confederate officials and military leaders.

Second, it allowed for a new state government to be formed when 10 percent of the eligible voters had taken an oath of allegiance to the United States.

Third, the Southern states admitted in this fashion were encouraged to enact plans to deal with the freed slaves so long as their freedom was not compromised.

The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified on December 6, 1865, when Georgia ratified the Amendment outlawing slavery.

“Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

The Washington Monument was completed on December 6, 1884.

On December 8, 1899, Georgia Governor Allen Candler signed legislation to levy a tax on all dogs older than four months.

On December 6, 1932, the legislation repealing Prohibition was introduced by Senator John Blaine of Wisconsin. It was ratified on December 5, 1933. Georgia never took action on the Amendment.

Saturday is the 78th anniversary of the Japanese bombing attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

GeorgiaInfo has the reactions of Georgia leaders to the Pearl Harbor attack,

U.S. Sen. Walter F. George stated: “Japan’s deed is an act of desperation by a war-mad people. The attack on Hawaii is a deliberate act of the Japanese government. I am utterly amazed. It is unthinkable… . An open declaration of war will give us greater freedom of action.” Noting the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, George optimistically predicted that “it may take two or three years to fight this war to the end.”

U.S. Sen. Richard B. Russell responded to the attack by stating: “Japan has committed national hari-kari. I cannot conceive of any member of Congress voting against a declaration of war in view of the unpardonable, unprovoked attack on us. I am utterly astounded.”

U.S. Rep. Carl Vinson, chairman of the House Naval Affairs Committee, added: “Of course we will have to declare war. There is nothing else for Congress to do. This is a concerted action by the Axis Powers, but I am confident our Navy is ready and will render a glorious account of itself. It probably means we will be drawn into the world conflict on both oceans.”

In 2017, Chief Boatswain’s Mate Joseph L. George, a Georgian, was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with V device for valor for his actions aboard USS Vestal at Pearl Harbor.

George, a second class petty officer at the time, saved the lives of several sailors from the battleship USS Arizona. He survived the war and retired from the Navy in 1955 but passed away in 1996.

The Bronze Star Medal will be presented by Rear Adm. Matthew J. Carter, deputy commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, to George’s daughter, Joe Ann Taylor, today during a 4:30 p.m. (Hawaii-Aleutian time) ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor.

“The presentation of the medals is not only appropriate but simply the right thing to do,” Spencer said in a release sent out by the Navy. “One of my highest priorities is to honor the service and sacrifice of our sailors, Marines, civilians, and family members. It is clear that Lt. (Aloysious H.) Schmitt and Chief George are heroes whose service and sacrifice will stand as an example for current and future service members.”

In addition to George’s Bronze Star, the secretary also awarded the Silver Star Medal to Lt. j.g. Schmitt for action at Pearl Harbor while serving on the battleship USS Oklahoma.

The United States declared war on Japan on December 8, 1941. Montana Congresswoman Jeanette Rankin, the first female elected to the United States House of Representatives, cast the sole dissenting vote.

On December 7, 1946, the Winecoff Hotel in downtown Atlanta, previously considered fireproof, burned in the worst hotel fire to date.

Gregg Allman was born December 8, 1947 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

The first time I ever saw Kelly Loeffler, now known as Governor Brian Kemp’s appointee to the United States Senate, was December 17, 2012 in the Georgia State Capitol, where Republican Presidential Electors gathered to formally cast Georgia’s electoral votes for Mitt Romney for President.

I remember her, because she was the only Presidential Elector I didn’t know personally or at least recognize. Several weeks later, I met her and her husband, who introduced himself as “Jeff” at an event hosted by the Fulton County Republican Party. Here are a couple of other photos from that day.

For a political nerd, seeing people I know, duly elected as members of the Electoral College and casting their vote for the Republican candidate, just like we learned about in civics was an experience I’ll never forget.

For those who are criticizing Kelly Loeffler for not having been involved in the GOP or for having supported Mitt Romney for President, take another look at that slate of electors. I think that all factions of the Georgia GOP were represented, including the Tea Party movement, and I’m not aware of any of them having been disappointed to be casting their votes for Mitt Romney.

Congressman Tom Graves (R-Ranger) yesterday announced he will not run for reelection, according to Politico.

Rep. Tom Graves announced Thursday he will not seek reelection in 2020, joining the growing ranks of House Republicans heading for the exits in the current election cycle.

Citing “a new season in life,” Graves said he will join his family members “in their new and unique journeys” as his wife nears retirement and his three children enter adulthood.

The 49-year-old Georgian will have served in Congress for more than a decade once he finishes his current term and becomes the 21st House Republican to announce intentions to depart this Congress, in contrast to nine House Democrats.

Graves was considered as a pick for filling the Senate seat Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) is vacating midterm this month. While Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp formally chose businesswoman Kelly Loeffler this week for that post, Graves could be a contender for the Senate seat in the years to come.

While President Donald Trump handily won Graves’ district in 2016, the congressman snubbed the now-president as Trump aspired to become the Republican Party’s nominee.

“I have trouble seeing how he lines up with the great tradition of Lincoln and Reagan, and I’m concerned that many of his statements run afoul of the Constitution, my values and my beliefs,” Graves said in a letter to his supporters during the Georgia Republican presidential primary in 2016. “Then there’s a simpler test: would I be comfortable if my three children acted like Trump? Certainly not.”

From the Dalton Daily Citizen News:

The 14th Congressional District “is a very conservative district, and we want to keep it that way, (so) we’ll be looking for those conservative qualities” in a successor for Graves, [Whitfield County Republican Party Chair Diane] Putnam said. She expects several candidates to come forward, but she already has one name in mind, and he’ll be the keynote speaker at the Whitfield County GOP’s Christmas dinner meeting Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Dalton Convention Center.

Allen Poole, director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, is a former state trooper, and he was the Haralson County Commission chairman and chief executive officer in Haralson County, Putnam said. “He’s come up through the party ranks the right way.”

Those interested in hearing Poole speak can RSVP to Tuesday’s event by contacting Putnam at (706) 217-5929, she said. ““We want the grassroots people to get out and be excited, because (2020) is going to be a very busy campaign year, and we need to get started.”

Indeed, “getting started early is important,” [Dalton State College Political Science senior lecturer David] Veve said, which is why he believes potential successors for Graves will begin to emerge as soon as next month.

Chuck Payne, who represents the 54th District in the state Senate and resides in Dalton, “is well-liked in the community,” Chickamauga’s Jeff Mullis, who represents the 53rd District in the state Senate, “is well-connected in north Georgia and has a pretty impressive resume,” and “a lot of people in the community speak highly of” Carpenter, Veve said. “I think the Republican primary will be the real race.”

Republican strategist Chip Lake also announced he’s leaving government service to spend more time on the golf course return to the private sector. From the AJC:

Veteran Republican strategist Chip Lake abruptly announced Wednesday he was leaving his post as Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan’s top adviser to return to the private sector.

The details of his departure are murky, but his announcement caught many at the statehouse off guard. Several senators were under the impression that he agreed to stay on through the next legislative session.

[Lt. Gov. Geoff] Duncan called Lake a “once in a generation political mind” and thanked him for counsel that helped him win an underdog campaign for Georgia’s No. 2 job.

“As his work of establishing a strong organizational foundation in the office concludes, I have no doubt he will continue to be enormously successful in the private sector and wish him and his family all the best,” he said.

In a statement, Lake said it was the “honor of a lifetime” to serve as Duncan’s chief of staff, but he didn’t respond to requests for more comment.